Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

• using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
• Anima – admin request – repeat prescription

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

• bring your repeat prescription form to the surgery

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.

Collecting your prescription

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

• on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
• at the surgery
• at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

Questions about your prescription

If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.

The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

• phone our prescription clerk Monday and Tuesday 2pm – 4.00pm on 01255 674373 (option 3)
• use the Anima service

Telephone requests

We no longer accept telephone requests for repeat prescriptions as this can cause clogging of our telephone lines, preventing more urgent calls getting through. Moreover, taking verbal requests over the phone can lead to problems and disputes over medication. We therefore respectfully ask that prescription requests are submitted using the re-order slip.

Medication reviews

The doctor will wish to review your medication at least every year. Please therefore make an appointment for a medication review at least annually. If you have been advised by the surgery that your medication review is due, please use the Anima service.

Remember that we are closed over the weekend and bank holidays, so please ensure you have sufficient medication.

How does our repeat prescription process work?

 Three different types of medication/drugs that can be on a repeat script are shown below.

Some are straightforward and need relatively little clinical monitoring, others may need regular reviews and tests.

Type 1 – Medication that does not need any blood or other physical tests such as BP.

• It can be set up on a repeat prescription and authorised for 12 months, with a clinician review based around patient date of birth.
• If no change is needed/no concerns, the repeat prescription will be reauthorised for a further year without any patient involvement. 
• However, if anything needs further investigation, the GP will organise for the patient to be contacted and/or an appointment to be arranged.

Type 2 – Some medication needs annual reviews following blood tests, BP monitoring etc.

• The patient will be invited to a have the necessary blood tests etc. The dates of tests will be based around date of birth, wherever possible. 
• If following the annual review test results, no change is needed/no concerns, the repeat prescription will be reauthorised for a further year without any further patient involvement.
• However, if anything needs further investigation, the GP will organise for the patient to be contacted and/or an appointment to be arranged before a repeat prescription can be reorganised for the following year.

Type 3 – Some drugs need more regular blood tests (3 or 6 months) before the repeat prescription can be renewed.

• In addition, sometimes hospital consultants may be involved in decisions regarding prescribing. 
• It is essential that patients attend for their blood tests to allow repeat prescribing to continue smoothly.

FAQs

1. Why is my medicine/drug not set up as a repeat?

• It may be something that you may not use every day/week, so needs to be requested as and when you need it.
• When you are prescribed a new medicine, the GP may not set it up on repeat immediately, until it they are happy that it is suitable for you. Once you are using the drug regularly, the doctor can approve it being on repeat.
• It may be an acute prescription, not suitable for repeat.

2. When can I reorder my repeat medication?

• In normal circumstances, you will not be able to place your next request for a repeat prescription until 1 week before the prescription runs out.
• If there are exceptional circumstances (such as long holiday), you can make this known to the receptionist, who will liaise with medical staff to look at an earlier issue of your medication.

3. What happens if I do not attend reviews for bloods tests etc?

• We will not normally completely stop your medication, but the length of time covered by your prescription will reduce the longer you do not attend your appointment for blood tests etc. so, 28 days will reduce to 14, then 7 days.
• For certain types of medication , we may need to stop prescribing entirely until you attend the necessary appointments. This decision will be at the prescriber’s discretion.

Prescribing Drugs of Addiction

The practice has specific GPs to prescribe such drugs and, where necessary, patients will be referred to a specialist centre for management of their addiction.

Prescription charges

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

About pharmacists

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

• coughs
• colds
• sore throats
• tummy trouble
• aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.