Methods of ordering your Repeat Prescriptions
If you regularly take a prescribed medication/medications, you will be given a repeat prescription request form. About one week before you need more treatment, please send us your request using one of the methods listed below:
NHS App and your NHS account
Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is the most simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. The NHS App is available now on iOS and Android. You can view your current repeat medication and order the items you require. This is for patients who have a NHS login.
By repeat slip or on paper
You can put your request in on paper by dropping it through the letterbox.
We cannot accept requests for repeat medication over the phone.
Non-urgent advice: Patient Notice
Repeat prescriptions take a minimum of 48 hours (2 working days) after receipt of the request. Certain other medication can take longer as a request may have to be reviewed by a doctor.
If you request medication that you do not take on a regular basis (and it is not on your repeat medication list) it could take a minimum of 72 hours (3 working days) to process.
Your prescription will be sent to your nominated Pharmacy.
please ensure you submit an e-consult or ring for an appointment at least 2 weeks before you are likely to run out of medication. If you have previously been told you need a review before your next prescription please ensure you submit an e-consult at least a week before you are due to run out.
HRT Pre-Payment Certificate
From the 1 April, the Government is launching the HRT Pre-Payment Certificate (PPC) to reduce prescription costs for women receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
The HRT PPC will be available to buy in one single payment online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc, or in-person at some pharmacies. You can call 0300 330 2089 for help and support.
Before buying an HRT PPC, you should check if:
- you’re eligible for free NHS prescriptions using the eligibility checker: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check
- your medicine is covered by the HRT PPC. For a list of eligible HRT medication, visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc-medicines
- a 3 or 12 month PPC is more suitable. It covers all NHS prescriptions, not just HRT items. Visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc
Medication reviews
Patients on repeat medication may be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.
Some medications require regular monitoring. This may be a blood test, BP, height, weight, ECG or a urine sample. We require these checks to be completed to monitor your medication safely.
Prescription charges
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.
- Prescription (per item): £9.65
- 3-month PPC: £31.25
- 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.
- PPC Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
- General Public – Buy or Renew a PPC On-line
What to do with old medicines
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.
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 room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
Dosette Boxes FAQs
What is a dosette box?
Dosette boxes, also known as ‘trays’, ‘blister packs’ or ‘multi-compartment compliance aids’ are containers which have separate compartments for days of the week and times of the day and can assist people with taking their medicines.
How do I get a dosette box?
Dosette boxes are not suitable for all medicines and are not always available for free.
The Community Pharmacist who dispenses your medicines will need to assess your situation to determine whether you may benefit from a dosette box or other support. The decision is not up to the GP Practice, social care or any other agency.
To make this decision, your Community Pharmacist is expected to undertake an assessment with you. This includes questions about:
- your medicines
- your eye sight
- your ability to open medicines from their container
- your memory regarding ordering and taking your medicines and if this is affected by physical or mental impairment or disability.
These questions will support the Community Pharmacist to determine whether you may be covered under the Equality Act (2010) which legally requires Pharmacies to make reasonable adjustments if appropriate. Reasonable adjustments can include: use of large print labels, provision of non-clicklock caps, medication reminder charts, dosette boxes.
Are dosette boxes free?
Historically dosette boxes were supplied free of charge to anyone requesting one but this became unsustainable and too expensive for Pharmacies.
Now the only requirement for a dosette box to be supplied free of charge is if you qualify under the Equality Act (2010) and if a dosette box is deemed the most appropriate reasonable adjustment by the Community Pharmacist.
To qualify under the Equality Act (2010) for a reasonable adjustment, a person is regarded as having a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial adverse effect on that person’s ability to carry out day to day activities. Additionally, the impairment must be either long term (lasted more than 12 months) or is likely to last more than 12 months or for the rest of the person’s life (for example multiple sclerosis). 1
For those who do not qualify under the Equality Act (2010), Community Pharmacies can decide to charge for the supply of a dosette box as a ‘private transaction’ or may not offer this as a private service. This fee varies between participating Pharmacies and is beyond the GP Practice’s control.
My Pharmacy says “We do not do dosette boxes”
As detailed above, Pharmacies are legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments for those who qualify under the Equality Act (2010). Pharmacies are therefore responsible for completing an assessment for you if a medicine compliance need has been identified to determine whether you qualify.
Pharmacies should not say they do not do dosette boxes as a blanket rule without any individual assessment. If this is happening, you should address this legal obligation with the Responsible Pharmacist/ Pharmacy Manager at the branch or head office.
My Pharmacy has stopped my dosette box- what do I do?
The Pharmacist should have assessed your situation to determine whether you qualify under the Equality Act (2010) for any reasonable adjustments before stopping your dosette box. If this has not happened, you should request this assessment from your Community Pharmacist.
If you do not qualify under the Equality Act for a free dosette box, your Pharmacist should advise you about alternative ways to manage your medicines or may offer you a dosette box and charge for this as part of a private service.
Do I need to have weekly prescriptions for a dosette box?
You do not need weekly prescriptions for a dosette box, unless your GP has determined this is needed for clinical reasons. It costs the NHS 4 times as much in dispensing fees when supplying weekly prescriptions to Pharmacies compared to supplying them monthly. Weekly prescribing is reserved for a small number of patients due to increased workload and costs to the NHS.
GP practices will not be amending prescriptions to 7 days on the request of a patient or pharmacy for any other reason than a clinical one. Community Pharmacies are required to supply medicines for whatever duration is specified by your GP. If you do not qualify under the Equality Act and a Pharmacy decides to charge for 28 day prescriptions but not 7 day prescriptions, this is up to them as a business. Unfortunately it is not the responsibility of the GP Practice to make this free by making this an expense to the NHS and Pharmacies should not be encouraging us to do this.
Will my dosette box be delivered?
This depends on the Pharmacy; please contact them to discuss arrangements.
Complaints
If you don’t feel that you have been assessed in the way that has been described, please contact the Community Pharmacy in question and ask to speak to the Pharmacist or Manager and if necessary as a last resort, ask about their Complaints Procedure.