If you take medicine regularly you’ll usually have a repeat prescription.
This means you can order your medicine when you need it without having to see a GP until your next medicine review. It is recommended that you reorder your repeat prescriptions up to 7 days before it is due to run out to allow them to be processed on time
You might be able to ask your pharmacy for your medicine if your GP has set this up (repeat dispensing). If not, you’ll need to order your medicines from your GP surgery each time.
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 — Systmonline
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
You can also:
- fill out a online repeat prescriptions request form or use eConsult
- bring the paper form to the surgery. Please leave the counterfoil or form in the silver collection box at the front of the building, or the green collection box on the gate. Please allow 72 hours for your prescription to be processed (after three full working days)
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email, nor do we encourage posting your prescription requests, as there is not guarantee we will receive this in the post.
In exceptional circumstances we will issue urgent prescription requests, please speak to reception. Please allow time for this to be processed, and arrange to collect collection after
NHS App
Download the NHS App, or open the NHS website in a web browser, to set up and log in to your NHS account. Owned and run by the NHS, your NHS account is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services online, including appointments, prescriptions and health record.
When to request
It is recommended that you reorder your repeat prescriptions at 7 days before it is due to run out. This allows us time to generate the prescription, get it signed and sent electronically to the chemist of your choice 2 days before you completely run out. This also allows time if the doctor wishes to speak or see you regarding your medication.
Collecting your prescription
We process over 1500 prescription requests every week, and to do this safely we require at least 72 hours notice – 3 clear working days. Please order your prescriptions with plenty of time, as we may not be able to process late requests.
Collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.
You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy. This means that you do not have to come to the surgery to collect your prescription and then take it to a chemist.
You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:
- on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
- at your GP practice
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions.
If you forget to request a repeat prescription
If you forget to obtain a prescription for repeat medication and thus run out of important medicines, you may be able to get help from your Pharmacy. Under the Urgent Provision of Repeat Medication Service, Pharmacists may be able to supply you with a further cycle of a medication on your repeat list without having to get a prescription from your GP. Emergency supply of medicines | Medicines guidance | BNF | NICE
If you have run out of important medication, telephone your usual Pharmacy to check that they offer this service; if they don’t, they may either direct you to another Pharmacy who does provide it, or ask you to phone 111 where you can request details of a local Pharmacy that provides the service.
You must then take with you to the relevant Pharmacy, proof of both your identification and of your medication (for example, your repeat prescription list or the empty box which should have your details printed on it). Please note that controlled drugs and antibiotics are not provided through this service, you will need to ring 111 for these.
If you receive stoma products from your Pharmacy or other suppliers such as Bullens and Fittleworth and/or receive items such as continence products, please ensure you have sufficient supplies as you may encounter difficulties in obtaining these over Bank Holidays, or when the Surgery is closed. These items need to be ordered by contacting the surgery.
Hospital and community requests
When you are discharged from Hospital you should normally receive seven days supply of medication.
On receipt of your discharge medication, which will be issued to you by the Hospital, please contact the Surgery to provide them with this information before your supply of medication has run out.
Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by a prescribing clinician first, and if necessary a prescribing clinician will provide you with a prescription on request.
Medication reviews
The Doctors at the Practice regularly review the medication you are taking. This may involve changes to your tablets and is in accordance with current Health Authority policies. Please be reassured that this will not affect your treatment. We may sometimes contact you for a medication review and this may involve blood tests. It is very important that you attend these appointments, as it keeps you safe whilst taking medication. If you do not attend when the doctor requests, it may affect the amount of medication prescribed at any one time.
Non repeat items (acutes)
Non-repeat prescriptions, known as ‘acute’ prescriptions are medicines that have been issued by the Doctor but not added to your repeat prescription records. This is normally a new medication issued for a short period, or a trial period, and usually require a telephone conversation with your Doctor prior to the medication being added onto your repeat prescription records.
Some medications are recorded as acute as they require to be closely monitored by the Doctor. Examples include many anti-depressants, drugs of potential abuse, contraceptives, or where the prescribing is subject to legal or clinical restrictions or special criteria. If this is the case with your medicine, you may not always be issued with a repeat prescription until you have consulted with your Doctor again.
Non-urgent advice: Why can’t I get a prescription for an over-the-counter medicine?
Please don’t ask your GP for medicines which can be bought at the pharmacy. A GP, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a range of minor health conditions.
Further information about OTC medicines is available from NHS UK
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.
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.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation. You can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.