Repeat Prescriptions

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Ordering Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions are medications listed on your prescription slip. Your doctor wants you to continue these regularly. You can also find this list on your online account. These medications require regular review. Prescription requests may take up to 48 working hours to process after a valid request. However, this may not be possible if you have an outstanding review or monitoring requirements before the medication can be issued.

Please do NOT book GP telephone appointments to request repeat prescriptions.

How to Request a Repeat Prescription

Repeat prescriptions may be ordered in the following ways:

  • Online
    You can order your repeat prescriptions via Patient Access on a computer, tablet or smartphone. This can also be done via the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet or via our online triage service Accurx
  • In Person
    Tick the boxes on your green repeat medication slip, OR, write a note stating what medications you would like and drop it off or post it to the surgery. Please only order medications that you need.

Collecting your Prescription

All prescriptions will go to your chosen pharmacy. If you haven’t chosen one, it will be sent to your nearest chemist.

For certain medications, you must print the prescription and take it to the pharmacy yourself. You will always be informed if this applies to your prescription.

Questions about your Prescription

If you have questions about your medication, your local pharmacists can answer your questions on prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.

You can also contact us at the surgery.

Prescriptions issues after private consultation

Medication Reviews

If you have a repeat prescription, please come in at least once a year for a review. You may need to come in sooner if necessary. When we ask you for your review, make sure to book a routine appointment. If your medication started outside the practice, please consult us for a medication review or reconciliation.

You can do this in following ways. 

  • Phone us Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
  • Visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 10am.

Prescription Charges

Find out more about prescription charges on nhs.uk.

About Pharmacists

Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns.

Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Qualified healthcare professionals can provide clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for minor illnesses. These include coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy troubles, and aches and pains.

Many pharmacies are open late and on weekends. You don’t need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private consultation room. This lets you discuss issues with staff without being overheard.

Disposing of Old Medicines

If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or you have leftovers, don’t put it in your bin or flush it. Instead, take it to your pharmacy for safe disposal.

Over-the-counter medicines

Did you know your local NHS spends £15m a year on medicines that you can buy at the pharmacy?

NHS England advises GPs not to prescribe these medicines. This includes treatments for coughs, colds, headaches, mouth ulcers, travel sickness, and mild toothache.

Your GP usually won’t give you a prescription for over-the-counter medicines for minor health issues. Instead, you can buy these medicines at your local pharmacy.

Repeat Prescriptions Requests

Prescription Timescale
All prescriptions will be issued to your nominated pharmacy within 48 working hours after a valid request.

Prescription Quantities
In most cases, prescription repeats will last for 28 days. This helps avoid waste. However, the clinician can authorise repeats for up to 56 days in certain situations. For contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, prescriptions will be issued for 6 months. Patients aged 75 and over will receive repeat prescriptions only in 1-month quantities.

Authorised repeat quantities
Repeat prescriptions are authorised at the doctor’s discretion for up to twelve months. Our Clinical Pharmacist will conduct a medication review when the prescription is due. Some patients may need tests before their review, while others may only need a phone call. Our practice will inform you in advance of this. It is important to monitor and review medications for patient safety. We may not continue prescribing if a patient’s review is not completed.

Dose equivalence
Items should be aligned, where possible, such that they expire on the same date. If quantities require amending to bring them into line, this may be attended to by our Clinical Pharmacist.

Over and under prescribing
Reception staff should inform clinicians when items are requested early. This may suggest non-compliance or medication abuse.
Items not requested must not be removed from the record without consulting a doctor.

Change of medication
Changes to prescription medication are the responsibility of doctors and authorised prescribers. Only a clinician can direct amendments. Pay special attention to changes made upon hospital discharge, as this is where errors often happen.