The safest and quickest way to request your repeat medications is by using the NHS app or Patient Access. Alternatively, please bring in a list of the items needed, preferably on the computerised list issued to you. We do not take repeat prescription requests over the telephone. Patients can manage repeat prescription requests via the On-Line Patient Access Service. (See On-line services under the ‘New Patients’ tab)
Electronic Prescription Service
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is also a more convenient service for patients. Patients nominate a pharmacy and then the completed prescription is sent electronically from the Practice directly to your local pharmacy for collection. EPS and on-line prescription requests make the process safer and more convenient and we would encourage all patients to make use of these services.
For further information about the EPS, please see the NHS Digital website.
Practice Policy for Prioritising Medically Urgent Medication
In order to allow us to safely prescribe the 14000+ items issued per month, we need to apply systems. All repeat medication requests take us 72 hours to process or occasionally slightly longer if a more detailed review is required – please allow a week before trying to collect your medication from your nominated pharmacy. People are sometimes unable to renew their prescriptions in time and are concerned about the impact on their health should a couple of days of mediation be missed. The reality is that there are only a very few medications where your health may be affected by missing a couple of days.
The Practice treats the following medications as being medically urgent:
- Inhalers
- Anti-convulsants
- Anti-arrhythmics
- Anti- coagulants
- Diabetic medication
- Furosemide / Spironolactone / Bumetanide
- Contraception medications
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Angina GTN spray.
If concerned, you can contact your regular pharmacy to discuss your medication shortage and request ‘emergency supply’ of your medicines if appropriate. To improve repeat prescription request security, you can also apply for On-Line repeat prescribing and make use of the Electronic Prescription Service.
To contact the Prescribing Team, please email bnssg.L81118.prescribing@nhs.net or select Prescribing Team from the options when you phone us.
Repeat Dispensing
Do you get the same type and quantity of medicines regularly and often use the same Pharmacy? If so, we can put you on repeat dispensing so that you only have to request your medications from us once a year. Twelve months of repeat prescriptions are then sent to your pharmacy to collect directly from them as and when the monthly re-issue date comes around. If you are interested in receiving prescriptions direct from your pharmacist, please follow this link to view an information leaflet about repeat dispensing and contact us with your details at SGMC Prescribing. Once set up, please discuss the process of getting your medication through this method with your nominated pharmacy.
Please give your pharmacy notice of when you wish to collect your prescription – ring or call in to your Pharmacy before 6.30pm (at the latest the day before you wish to collect your medications) so that you will be able to pick them up after 3pm the next day. This allows the Pharmacy time to order the medications you need.
Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions
Please follow these links for Information on how to get help with prescription costs and prescription prepayment certificates.
Change to prescriptions for minor health concerns
Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community. The team of health professionals at your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns and if your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll ensure you get the care you need. Please help the NHS to use resources sensibly. Please click the link below for more information.
Changes to prescriptions information leaflet
