Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions are normally for patients on long term treatment and have to be arranged after consultation with your own doctor.

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

• using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
• using the GP online system: Patient Access

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

You can also:

• fill out a repeat prescriptions request form

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
• fill out a nominate a pharmacy form
• at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

Generic prescribing

In most cases the doctors prescribe medicines by their chemical name which may be different from the name you are familiar with.

This is known as generic prescribing. The active ingredient is, of course, exactly the same but the cost of generic medicines is often much less than if they were prescribed by their brand name. Generic prescribing saves the NHS millions of pounds and doesn’t affect anyone’s individual treatment at all. The generic medicine may be different shape or colour so it is best to know your medicine by its generic name and strength.

The people who benefit from saving money in this way are the patients themselves.

Prescriptions for minor ailments

We do not usually issue prescriptions for paracetamol liquid, head lice lotion or worming treatment for children, patients are expected to buy their own, nor do we routinely prescribe cough mixtures. This allows us to conserve the money we are allocated to spend on those medicines used in more serious illnesses.

Please allow at least 2 working days before collection, making allowance for weekends and bank holidays.

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

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

• fill out an ask a prescription question form

Medication reviews

If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.

Prescription charges

Find out more about prescription charges.

Medicine cabinet

Below is a list of useful medicines and dressings. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions so you know how much medicine to take or to give to children, and how often to give it. If you’re not sure, get advice from your pharmacist, GP or health visitor.

Never give the medicine more often than recommended, and don’t give any more than the stated dose.

Keep all medicines locked-up and out of the reach of children.

• Paracetamol – good for headaches, colds, sore throats and painful bruises
• Paracetamol mixture – for relief of pain or fever in young children
• Sedative cough linctus – for dry or painful coughs, but not coughs caused by common colds
• Menthol crystals – add to hot water to make steam inhalations for treating catarrh and dry or painful coughs
• Vapour rub – again, for steam inhalations. Also useful for children with stuffy noses or dry coughs. Rub on the chest and nose
• Antiseptic solution – one teaspoon diluted in warm water for cleaning cuts and grazes
• Antiseptic cream – for treating septic spots, sores in the nose and grazes
• Calamine lotion – for dabbing (not rubbing) on insect bites and stings and sunburn
• Dressing strips – for minor cuts
• 3″ wide crepe bandage – to keep dressings in place. To support sprained or bruised joints
• Gauze squares – for cleaning cuts and grazes
• Thermometer – for fevers

What to do with old medicines

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

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

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.