Prescriptions

Repeat Prescriptions

If you want to order your prescriptions online – you need to sign up to our patient access service. Please visit the Online Services page for details on how to do this.

Order your Repeat Prescription Online

Understanding Repeat Prescriptions

What is a repeat prescription?

A repeat prescription is a prescription whereby you can obtain further supplies of your medication without having to see your doctor.

Patients on repeat medication may be asked to see either a doctor or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.

What medication can I get on my repeat prescription?

Only your doctor (or an independent prescriber such as a nurse practitioner) can decide whether you can have a medication on repeat prescription and how long for.

This may include medication that you need regularly or for a long period and that your doctor thinks is safe for you to take without being seen for every request.

Most medication that is needed for short course treatments would not be repeat medication. Also, when you start on new medication, your doctor needs to keep an eye on you to see if the drugs make you better or worse, before deciding on whether to make it a repeat medication.

What are the advantages of having a repeat prescription?

It is more convenient for you and allows you to participate actively in your treatment. It frees up time for your doctor to see people. This means that when you need your medication you simply re-order it from the surgery without a doctor’s appointment.

How do I re-order my repeat medication?

You can request your repeat medication in the following ways:

• On the internet via our Online Services
  

Perhaps the easiest and safest way to order your repeat medication is through Patient Access.  This service provides you with a list of medication currently on repeat and can send your request direct to our clinical system.  There is also the option of leaving a message for the doctor to let them know how you are getting on or to ask for a change in dose/frequency etc.  Don't forget to say where you want to collect your prescription from in the handy comments box, otherwise your script will be placed in Reception for collection at the Surgery

• In person, on paper, preferably by using the tear-off slip on the right side of the prescription indicating clearly the items you require (there is a post box for prescription requests by the reception desk at Great Hollands and Birch Hill)
  

Each time a prescription is issued to you, a counterfoil is printed by your Pharmacist which lists all the medications you currently have on repeat. Tick the medications that you require and either hand the counterfoil to the surgery staff, or deposit it at the prescription collection box at the reception counter. If the Surgery is closed a secure letterbox is situated next to the front door and this will be dealt with upon the next working day

• By post (please enclose a stamped addressed envelope)
  

You may alternatively post the completed counterfoil to us with a stamped, self-addressed envelope should you require the prescription to be posted back to you.

• Through your chemist
  

We cannot accept telephone requests for repeat prescriptions

How long do I have to wait to collect my prescription?

Please allow at least 48 hours (2 working days) for your request to be processed at the Practice. If the medication needs reviewing by a doctor then this may take longer. Please ask the surgery staff for more details.

What are electronic prescriptions (EPS)?

You may register to have your prescriptions sent automatically to the pharmacy of your choice. One of the reception team can set this up for you. To do this we must make sure all the personal details we hold on you, address, contact numbers etc are checked. There are a few medicines that cannot be sent electronically and if this is the case then these will still need to be collected from the surgery or the paper copy sent to a local pharmacy.

When you are registered for EPS this means your repeat prescription, once processed and approved by your GP, will be issued electronically to your preferred Pharmacy for collection.  No green prescription slip is printed.  Most Pharmacies in our local area are EPS friendly.

You can still request a printed green prescription for collection from the Surgery. Please advise us of this at the time of submitting your request.

At what stage do I re-order my next repeat prescription?

Do not wait until you have run out of medicines. Usually when you have a week left is a good time to put in a request. This gives enough time for collection from the surgery and dispensing at the pharmacy.

Some pharmacies offer a ‘repeat prescription collection service’ from local surgeries. This enables you to collect the dispensed medicines from your chosen pharmacy without making another trip to the surgery for collection. Please allow an additional 24-48 hours for the pharmacy to order and dispense your drugs. If you have special drugs or large quantities it enables the pharmacist to have your drugs ready for your collection, saving you repeated trips for incomplete prescriptions. Ask your surgery staff or local pharmacist for more details.

Please check the items carefully to ensure they are correct.  You may add in writing any special requests for medication, such as medication which you may have been prescribed before but have not been authorised for repeat by your GP.  Please note that requests for medication such as this take extra time to process as your GP will have to review if they are happy to prescribe the medication.

Private Prescriptions

Please review our document below, for more information about our protocol for prescribing medication requested for pre-emptive conditions. 

• Medication requests for pre-emptive conditions
  

Make the most of your local pharmacist!

What to do if you run out of medication?

Please contact the surgery who will ask that you fill in a form requesting an urgent prescription. Once this form has been delivered to the practice it will be processed and someone will contact you once the prescription has been done.

What to do if you run out of medication outside of normal opening hours:

For more information please visit the NHS choices website.

Do you take all the medications you are prescribed?

• www.bracknellandascotccg.nhs.uk/our-work/open-up-about-medicines

We are aware that some patients do not want to take all the medicines that their doctors prescribe for them. Sometimes people continue ordering and collecting them because they worry about how they look not taking them and about telling a health care professional how they feel. Also some people become confused by the number of medicines that are prescribed for them. This can lead to some medicines never being used and later wasted.

The ‘Open Up’ About Medicines campaign is a medicines waste campaign with a difference! It encourages people to take responsibility for their medicines and talk to their GP, pharmacist, and when in hospital a healthcare professional about their medicines. Medicines prescribed by GPs are paid for from our local NHS budget, this money can also be used for other types of NHS care.

• Watch a video

I have been told that I need my medication for life. Why can’t I have six-month supply at a time?

To prevent wastage if your drug is changed, stopped or lost. Also to help the surgery staff know that you are still taking your medication.

What is a dossette box?

Those patients taking multiple medications may benefit from a dossette box supplied by the pharmacy. Please ask your pharmacist or at reception for more information if you are interested in this service.

A message has appeared on my repeat slip saying that I need to contact the doctor/nurse for a review.  Is it really necessary?

Yes. From time to time your doctor/nurse needs to check that you are still benefitting from your medication and it is causing no harm. Also your condition may have changed or you may be taking new medications that require your repeat medication to be altered.

In some instances it might be possible for you to have your medication reviewed by telephone. Ask your doctor or nurse whether a telephone review would be more appropriate.

As part of your review, please have a list of questions that you might wish to ask about your medication. Inform your doctor of any changes in your health or medication (including those bought over the counter) that might have occurred since the last time you visited.

When you go for hospital appointments take your medicines and your repeat ‘request slip’ along with you. It will help the medical staff understand more about your condition and treatment.

Remember

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about any concerns you might have
  
• Inappropriate use of the repeat system can cause unnecessary delays and wastage
  
• Make sure you understand why and how you should take all your medicine
  
• Return any unwanted medication to your local pharmacy for destruction
  
• Do not keep large amounts of drugs in the house
  
• Only order the drugs you need
  

Over The Counter Medicines

A wide range of effective remedies are now available in the pharmacy without the need for a prescription. The doctors in this surgery can recommend the following treatments for the common conditions mentioned. By treating yourself you can save yourself time and money as the majority of the drugs mentioned are cheaper than a prescription charge.

• 1% Hydrocortisone cream for skin irritation, contact dermatitis and eczema
  
• Piriton and other antihistamines for hay fever, insect bites and allergies
  
• Daktarin or Canesten cream for athlete’s foot, nappy rash or thrush
  
• Ibuprofen tablets for acute sprains, muscle aches or period pain
  
• Acyclovir (Zovirax) cream for cold sores
  
• Paracetamol syrup (Calpol or Disprol) or Ibuprofen for mild to moderate pain and temperatures in children
  
• For the treatment of many other common ailments such as threadworms, head lice, acne and tummy upsets, your pharmacist is trained to give advice.
  

If your condition does not clear up within a few days or you are uncertain about your diagnosis, then please consult your doctor.