Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered by:

Sending your request on the computer prescription counterfoil.
Calling at the surgery and leaving your request in the boxes either in reception or at the bottom of the drive
Requesting your prescription online via Online Access (you need to be registered to use this service)

Please allow 48 hours for your prescription to be processed and signed. We encourage the use of the Electronic Prescribing Service (EPS) which sends the prescription automatically to your nominated pharmacy.

We regret that we do not accept requests for repeat prescriptions over the phone. This blocks the phone line that may be required for urgent calls and may lead to mistakes over the name of a particular drug.

Lost medications and controlled drugs policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for doctors, nurses, and patients to enable safe prescribing of controlled drugs (CDs). Incorrect prescribing of these medicines can result in harm to patients including addiction, physical and mental harm, and death.

This guideline primarily focuses on drugs which are commonly used for recreation, abuse, or where risk of diversion is high.

These include but are not limited to:

Morphine Diazepam
Tramadol Temazepam
Codeine Alprazolam
Dihydrocodeine Pregabalin
Oxycodone Gabapentin
Fentanyl Zopiclone
Buprenorphine Zolpidem

This Practice will not start anybody on the above drugs long term or increase the dose for those already taking them.

Patients who request these medicines before they are due or who run out because they have increased the dose without discussing with a Doctor will have their prescription rejected.

Lost medications – controlled drugs

If a patient contacts the surgery saying they have lost their controlled drug medication for the first time, it is up to the on call doctor as to whether more should be issued. Reception will place a note stating “CD early request, first, *insert date*” on the patient’s alerts.

If a patient contacts the surgery again saying they have lost their CD medications their prescriptions will be changed to weekly and they will not be issued with more medication. Reception will place a note stating “CD early request, multiple” on the patient’s alerts.

If a patient on weekly prescriptions contacts the surgery saying they have lost their CD medications, their prescriptions will be changed to daily prescriptions and they will not be issued with more medication.

Queries about your medication

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.