What is a Repeat Prescription?
A repeat prescription is a partnership between the patient and the prescriber (Doctor) that allows them to authorise a prescription so it can be repeatedly issued at agreed intervals, without the patient having to consult the Doctor at each issue. This is usually medication that you take regularly for a chronic condition or ongoing medical condition. Please discuss with your usual Doctor to see if you are eligible for this.
All repeat medicines can only be continued if they are regularly reviewed by the Practice Pharmacist / GP. This is for patients’ clinical safety, to assess your medical condition, the effects of the medication & any monitoring or blood testing that is necessary
If you Doctor agrees to put your medication on to the Repeat Prescription Programme you will be issued with information and guidance at your appointment by your Doctor. Repeat Prescribing Agreement.
What is EPS (Electronic Prescription Service)?
The practice issues all prescriptions (both acute & repeat) via EPS which means that your prescription goes directly to the pharmacy of your choice. This is more beneficial for our patients as it will save unnecessary visits to the surgery. You can simply pick up your medication from your nominated pharmacy.
EXCEPTIONS – Unfortunately, certain medications cannot be done through EPS due to safety reasons. These medications include:
- Controlled drugs like (For Example: Tramadol, Morphine, Oramorph, Fentanyl)
- Private prescriptions
How to Request a Repeat Prescription
To enable the system to run smoothly patients on the Repeat Prescribing Programme are asked to note the following points and ensure that the follow the guidance.
Our prescription process is now completely digital.
Please allow 72 hours’ notice for your repeat prescription to be processed and ready for collection at your nominated pharmacy
You can request your medication in the following ways:
- Via online services SystmOnline Login
If you are not signed up for SystmOnline Click here to Register - Using the NHS App. Or for further details & registering Click Here.
PLEASE NOTE: YOU CAN NOT SUBMIT ANY MEDICATION REQUESTS ON THE TELEPHONE AS NAMES CAN EASILY BE CONFUSED AND CAUSE CLINICAL RISKS.
ALL REQUESTS FOR PRESCRIPTIONS MUST BE MADE ONLINE.
HOUSEBOUND PATIENTS
Patients who are unable to collect their prescriptions as they are housebound can ask a local chemist or a district nurse to request / collect your prescriptions on your behalf.
PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with NHS England guidelines this service is only available for patients who are housebound and unable to collect their own prescriptions from the pharmacy.
- All prescriptions are reviewed regularly. Once the review date is reached, you will need to make an appointment with the practice pharmacist for a medication review before any further prescriptions can be issued, please ensure that you respond promptly to these requests to avoid any delay in us processing your repeat prescription requests.
- Please do not request items that are not on your repeat prescription list as these will not be processed. To request items not on your repeat list click here.
- All requests for a ‘duplicate’ prescription (i.e. a copy of prescription which has already been issued and collected) will be referred to a doctor as this is regarded as a ‘new request’ and will not be reprinted by practice staff.
- To avoid waste, please only order items that you require on your repeat request. The remaining items will still be available for you to request if needed later.
- If you are no longer taking any of your repeat medication, please inform your GP as soon as possible to enable them to review and amend your records promptly.
- Please return any excess or unwanted medication to your local Pharmacy.
Why Does it Take 72 Hours or Longer to Process a Repeat Prescription Request?
Our prescription clerk has to check your medical records to ensure that your medication request is on your repeat prescription, then transfer the request to your doctor or Surgery Pharmacist who also have busy clinics. Between clinics, your doctor/Surgery Pharmacist will check the medication to ensure that it is still appropriate for you and that you have had appropriate monitoring including blood tests and a review of your clinical condition. This takes time to do and is for your safety.
Delays may occur if your medication request is not on your repeat prescription or if your medication request is different from what your doctor has prescribed for you or if your doctor wished to change your medication.
Common Causes for Delay Prescribing Your Repeat Medication:
- Your medication or clinical condition review is overdue – help us to help you by making sure you make regular appointments as required or requested by the practice pharmacist / representatives.
- The requested medication is no longer or was not on your repeat list.
- There is a need to change the medication or dose.
- You need further monitoring in order to prescribe the medication safely – help us to help you by making appointments for this when requested or displayed on your request.
Medication Not On Repeat:
Patients occasionally will need to request medication that is not authorised on repeat. Examples include:
- Medication authorised following an NHS specialist consultation – please note we will need some correspondence from the consultant in order to do this.
- Medicine previously issued by your GP but you need a further supply (Please note you will often need to review ongoing need with your GP).
As such a request is not an authorised repeat any request will need to be reviewed by your GP and so this can take longer to process. So please allow at least 5 working days for this. Providing hospital letters or photographs of the medication box will help us to process your request more quickly.
You will need to complete a “non-Repeat Medication Request” form as follows:
You can do this online. Please click here.