If you take regular medication, a repeat prescription can be issued to you most of the time without seeing the doctor.

All patients will be asked to nominate a pharmacy where they will collect their repeat prescriptions.  Prescriptions will be ready for collection at the nominated pharmacy after 72 hours.  We would ask that you do not come to the surgery to collect your repeat prescriptions.  You can still order repeat prescriptions in the usual way on line.  Please write in the comment box your nominated pharmacy.

Our repeat prescription line is currently open Monday to Friday 08:30- 12:30 and 14:00 -15:00

There are several ways to order a repeat prescription:

1. Online- This is the safest way to order your prescription.  To request a prescription on line you will need to register for Patient Services.  If you are already registered for on line appointments all you need to do is ask a member of staff to register you for prescription services.  Otherwise you can complete the form at reception or click the following link Online Services for other ways to register.  If there is a regular medication you take that is not visible use the communication box to order that prescription.
2. By completing the form at the reception desk and posting them in the box at reception
3. By telephoning 028 9024 4477 Monday to Friday 8.30 – 12:30 and 14.00 – 15.00

It is important to use only this number as our prescriptions are computerised and it is necessary for our staff to check the computer records when you request a prescription. 

Ideally we require 72 working hours to process your request for repeat medication whether ordered by telephone, by letter, via online services or in person.

Please do not phone the surgery to check if your prescription is ready as this blocks the phone line making it more difficult for those requiring urgent medical attention to get through to the surgery.

Please contact your pharmacy directly regarding prescription collections.

Some medications require annual blood tests or medical review.  If the doctor has put a note on to attend the treatment room for bloods or the doctor for review please do so before the next prescription is due.  Failure to do so may result in your next request being declined.  We often have a written note on your prescription advising you which month your blood tests are due.

Wasted medicine

If a pharmacist dispenses medicine but you don't use it, the medicine is wasted. If you don't take your medicine as prescribed:

• it is possible that your condition may not improve, or could get worse – you may even need further treatments or admission to hospital
• the Health Service pays for the medicine – money that could be spent on other treatments or health services

Ordering a repeat prescription

Before you order a repeat prescription, check that you regularly take all the medicines on the prescription. Only order those medicines that you take regularly.

If you're concerned about your supply of medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Ordering medicine in case you need it

You should discuss any medicines you think you may need ‘just in case’ with your doctor or pharmacist. You shouldn't re-order these medicines on each repeat prescription, but only when your existing supply is finished.

Ordering medicine later if you don’t need it now

You should tell your GP practice or pharmacy that you don't need the medicine now.  They won't remove the medicine from your prescription record, so you can still order it when you need it.

You have medicine left over

There are different reasons for having medicine left over. It may be that:

• you have recovered
• a medicine is changed because of its side effects
• a doctor reviewed your condition, stopped one medicine and prescribed another for you

Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you what to do with left over medicine.

Disposing of medicine you don't need

You should return any medicines that you no longer use to your community pharmacist  They  can safely dispose of medicine.

Tips for ordering prescriptions --These are important for your safety

• You need to state the name of the drug and the dose when ordering prescriptions. 
• The colour of the drug or the reason for taking it is not sufficient as the colour and size of the medication can vary.
• Reception staff can not take a request for 'all my repeats' as there may be medication you require which is not on 'repeat' or medication which is on your repeat which you may not actually require.

Occasionally people need to top up a medication they use infrequently(such as creams, eye drops and mild painkillers).  A large number of these medications can be bought over the counter from a local pharmacy.  It is very helpful to the NHS as a whole if you would consider buying these rather than asking for a prescription.  Some of these can also be accessed via the minor ailments scheme(minor ailments).

If we have a record of you using a medication safely in the past we are often happy to re-prescribe it without seeing you.  However, some medications need a medical review before being issued.  If this is the case we will leave a written message for you at reception asking you to make an appointment with a doctor.  If we have not issued the prescription it is for medical reasons and usually for your safety.  We do not routinely re-prescribe medications which are addictive or have potential risks or side effects(for example strong painkillers and sleeping tablets).

Requests for acute prescriptions can be collected at your nominated pharmacy 72 hours after requesting it.