Prescriptions

Prescriptions

When visiting your surgery you may be given a prescription for medication, by a healthcare professional, as part of your treatment.  Prescriptions are dispensed by a pharmacist, who can answer your questions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines. We provide the following services:

• dispensing of NHS prescriptions
• access to the repeat prescription service (with agreement from your GP)
• an emergency supply of medicine, subject to the decision of the pharmacist (you may need to pay for an emergency supply)
• non-prescription medicines like paracetamol
• disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines
• advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living
• Pharmacy First – help with seven minor conditions which used to require a GP appointment (free NHS service). Conditions are:
  • earache
  • impetigo
  • infected insect bites
  • shingles
  • sinusitis
  • sore throat
  • urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Repeat Prescriptions

Patients requiring repeat medication will be given a repeat order form which will enable them to re-order their prescriptions.  Repeat prescriptions can be issued in 2 different ways:

1. You order the prescription to be approved by a GP each time you need a refill.
2. You order the prescription once and a GP approves a series of refills for you. They are sent to the pharmacy automatically, so you do not need to order them each time. This is called electronic repeat dispensing. The GP surgery or pharmacy will let you know when you need to re-order your prescription.

In both cases, you can:

• choose a specific pharmacy (nominated pharmacy) to collect your prescriptions from each time – call or contact the pharmacy online a few days before you run out of medicine to check your prescription is ready to collect
• decide each time you’re given a prescription where to collect it – you’ll be given a paper copy with a barcode to take to any pharmacy in England, or the pharmacy can find your prescription using your NHS number

As part of the repeat prescription service, the pharmacist will ask if you’re having any problems or side effects with your medicines and, where appropriate, they can discuss this with you and your GP.

• Use the electronic prescription service

Medication queries

• You can access Medicines A to Z to find out how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.
• Contact us – we are experts in medicines and can help you with minor health concerns. As qualified healthcare professionals, we can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. 

You do not need an appointment. Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.