Prescriptions

Repeat prescribing guidelines

Repeat prescribing guidelines require that the quantities of medication issued on repeat prescriptions will usually be for a single month’s supply. A review of medication given on repeat prescriptions is undertaken at intervals of usually no more than six months (and may require blood tests or an appointment with the nurse rather than the doctor). This allows us to ensure that continuing treatment is appropriate and safe.

Please allow five working days when ordering repeat prescriptions. This enables the community pharmacy to have enough time to prepare your prescription.

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

  • fill out an online repeat prescriptions request form
  • place the tear-off part of your repeat prescription in the prescriptions box in the surgery
  • post your repeat prescription to the surgery. Remember to allow extra time for weekends, and bank holidays.

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email. If you need more information, please speak to our reception staff.

Request prescription using GP online system

Manage repeat prescriptions via our online service. Log in and select an option. To register for this service please call into reception to fill out an application form. Please bring a form of photo identification, and a utility bill for proof of address, so our admin team can grant access to your record. This process can take up to 28 working days. If you require any further assistance, please contact our admin team on 01765 692366 extension 3 who will be able to help you.

Login for Online Services

Not registered for Online Services yet? Request medication online without a log in with the Prescription Request Form.

Dispensary

The regulations allow us to dispense to those of our patients who live more than a mile (as the crow flies) from the nearest community pharmacy. We cannot dispense to any other patients.

If you live more than one mile from a pharmacy you may collect your medicines from our dispensary.

If you have an exemption certificate please be prepared to show it to the dispenser before collecting your medicines.

Please note, the dispensary is closed from 4pm every Friday. Please ensure you collect your medication before 4pm.

Collecting your prescription

Your prescription will be ready for collection in five working days at the Practice or chemist, from the date of your request.

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.

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.

If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

Opioids provide pain relief by acting on areas in the spinal cord and brain to block the transmission of pain signals. Opioids are considered to be some of the strongest painkillers available and are used to treat pain after surgery, serious injury and cancer. Examples of these include codeine, dihydrocodeine and co-codamol (which contains paracetamol and codeine).

What dose of opioid should I take?

The correct dose of any medicine is the lowest dose that produces a noticeable benefit. It is not usual to get complete relief of pain from opioids. Your GP may recommend an “opiate trial” for 2-3 weeks, then review if the benefits of taking the medication outweigh the risks. You should always take the correct dose of prescribed medicines. If you feel the dose isn’t enough, or if the side effects interfere with your life, discuss this with your GP.

What are the possible side effects?

When you first start taking opioids you can get some side effects, which usually stop after a few days. These include:
feeling dizzy
feeling sick (nausea)
being sick (vomiting)
feeling sleepy If pain has affected your sleep, opioids may help you to recover your normal pattern of sleep, but they should not make you drowsy in the daytime. Opioid medicines can cause some problems when you take them for long periods of time.
These problems include:
constipation*
itching
weight gain
lack of sex drive
* This is common when taking opioids and does not tend to go away the longer you take opioid medicines. You may need to try laxatives to treat constipation.

Can I drink alcohol?

Alcohol and opioids both can cause sleepiness and poor concentration. You should avoid alcohol completely when you first start on opioids or when your dose has just been increased.

Will my body get used to opioid medicines?

Opioids can become less effective with time (this is called tolerance) meaning your body has got used to the pain relieving effect of the medicine. You can also become dependent on opioid medicines (dependence).

What about addiction to opioids?

It is rare for people in pain to become addicted to opioids. People who are addicted to opioids can:
feel out of control about how much medicine they take or how often they take it
crave the drug
continue to take the drug even when it has a negative effect on their physical or mental health

Can I take this medicine long-term?

While opioids can have a positive benefit for some people living with long-term pain they can have serious consequences when they are not providing sufficient benefit or are being taken in a manner that was not intended. It is important to consider the risks and benefits of continued opioid therapy with your prescriber on a regular basis. Recent medical literature suggests that the risks to your health increase significantly when prescribing opioids at high doses for a long period of time.

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.