Repeat prescriptions

 

 

Click here to Order Your Repeat Prescription Online

Repeat prescription items may take up to 72hrs to process, although we do aim to have them sent to the pharmacy within 48hrs in the majority of cases.  

Please note, these times are when the prescription will be sent via EPS. You will need to contact your nominated surgery for their collection times.  

By arrangement with your doctor, you may obtain repeat prescriptions using the tear-off portion of your prescription form, please remember to tick the items you require. Please retain this form for future use; doing so will speed up the process for both you and the surgery. The form may be either handed in at the surgery or posted to the surgery. In all cases a written request will be required. 

Please do not make an appointment for a repeat prescription or ask for a repeat prescription during a consultation with a doctor as this wastes valuable time.

If you prefer, you may order order online by following the link at the top of this page and completing a simple registration.

Please order your repeat items in time, You may order up to 10 days before your medications due date. This information can be found on your tear off tick slip. Patients who forget to do so place undue pressures on the service that can affect the turnround for other patients.

You will need to order early if your prescription is due during a Bank Holiday period or if you are going away on holiday. Please specify the reason why you are ordering early when you place your repeat request to avoid any delay.

Prescriptions issued by a hospital should be dispensed at the hospital.  Items will only be issued on receipt of a typed, detailed letter from the hospital and take 7 - 10 days to process this new request.

If You require your local pharmacy to deliver your prescription, please speak to them direct to arrange this.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.  Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.


NHS 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 prepayment certificate (PPC): £31.25
  • 12-month 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. 

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website

Electronic prescriptions EPS

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service. It gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the place you choose to get your medicines or appliances from.

What does this mean for you?

  • If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, saving you time.
  • You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.
  • You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be time for your repeat prescriptions to be ready before you arrive.

How can you use EPS?

You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called nomination. You can choose:

  • a pharmacy.
  • a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one).
  • Ask any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS or your GP practice to add your nomination for you. You don’t need a computer to do this.

Can I change my nomination?

Yes you can. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or your GP practice. Tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.

Is EPS reliable, secure and confidential?

Yes. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.

Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser.

For more information visit www.hscic.gov.uk/epspatients, your pharmacy or GP practice.

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications. We will contact you by SMS, letter or telephone call to notify you of this request.

It is recommended that prescribers should NOT supply treatment durations in excess of 3 months for patients who are travelling abroad or otherwise absent from the UK.  Patients should make local arrangements in their destination country for on-going medical care. See link below for details:

Prescribing for patients living or travelling abroad

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