In order to make our prescription service safer from 3^rd July 2023 in line with NHS England national guidance, the Partners at Glenpark Medical Practice have agreed the receptionists will no longer take requests for prescriptions over the telephone.

You will still be able to order your prescriptions via our online services and the NHS App, by post or dropping a prescription request at the practice, or via your pharmacist (where this service is available).

The reasons for this change are as follows:

• To bring us in line with NHS England national guidance regarding safer prescribing.
• The most important reason is that it is safer. Some telephone messages to the surgery are not clear and can involve a great deal of time and effort in checking and chasing up correct drug details and the correct dosages.
• This system will reduce the number of phone calls to the surgery. It will be easier for patients phoning for appointments, advice or in urgent need of help to get through.
• To improve confidentiality on the main reception desk, and allow the receptionist to be more available to patients in the surgery.

This system has been successfully in place nationally for a number of years and we are now bringing our surgery into alignment to provide a safer and more accessible service for you all. If you normally use the prescription line, please start to explore other options (why not use the opportunity to sign up for the NHS App?).

If you are housebound and are not able to use any other prescription request method shown above, please let the receptionist know.  They will discuss your situation with your doctor, and find a suitable solution.

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered:

• Online via the link at the top of this page
• Putting your request in the box provided at the reception
• By post
• By arrangement with the local pharmacy

Please note; registration is required to use our online services. Click here for an application form or by signing up to the NHSApp via your online monbile phone store

Since all prescriptions must be authorised by a doctor, we would ask that you give at least 48 hours (2 working days) notice when requesting a repeat prescription.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you do not run out of medication.

Prescriptions can be collected during the practice's opening hours and the patient's details will be verified before the prescription is handed out.

Prescriptions will not be given to anyone under the age of 14 years.

If a SAE (Self Addressed Envelope) is left with the request, we can post out the prescription.
Please only order the medications you need, to avoid waste and stock piling. Prescriptions should only be ordered within 7 days of their due date. Only in exception circumstances, e.g. holidays, should they be ordered early.

Repeat prescriptions are authorised at the discretion of the doctor. Please also note the review date printed after the list of medications on the right hand side of your prescription- we may refuse to sign prescriptions until you have been reviewed once this date has passed.

We can arrange for your prescription to be collected by your local pharmacist. Once set up, you simply need to order your prescription by telephone or by putting your request in the prescription box at reception, and your medicines will be ready for collection at your pharmacist 48 hours later, saving you the need to collect the signed prescription and wait for the pharmacist to dispense it.

To set up this service, simply talk to the receptionists. All subsequent prescriptions will automatically be sent to your chosen pharmacist.

You may change your pharmacist or cancel this service at any time (obviously not after a prescription has been issued and sent to the pharmacist).

This service is dependant upon your pharmacy participating in this scheme and all repeat prescriptions are at the discretion of the doctor. Please check with your pharmacy or the receptionist can help you with this.

If your repeat medication rarely changes, then you might be suited to a service called “repeat dispensing”. With the Doctor’s agreement, a prescription would be generated that can run for up to a year (usually 6 months). Your chosen pharmacist holds this prescription and you simply contact them before your current supply runs out so that they can give you further medication.

When the last repeat is dispensed, the pharmacy should prompt you to contact the surgery and arrange for a medical review. If you and your doctor agree that repeat dispensing is still appropriate, a new prescription is generated which you can either take back to the same pharmacist, or to any other participating in the scheme.

While the repeat dispensing prescription is still active, which can be for up to 12 months, you will not need to go back to the surgery for further supplies of your usual medicines. If you are otherwise unwell, then you simply arrange to see your doctor in the usual way. Remember that the pharmacist is always available to ask you how you are getting on with your repeat medication and to answer any drug queries that you may have.

Our experience with the scheme so far has been very positive. Patients have told us that it saves them time having to order prescriptions and take them to the pharmacist. It helps us by reducing the pressure on reception and helps the pharmacist who can plan what stocks they need to keep.

Help with NHS costs

In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:

• those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
• those who are age exempt
• those with certain medical conditions
• More information is available at NHS Choices

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
• 3-month PPC: £31.25

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

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

Whenever you go to hospital, make sure that you take an up to date list of your medication with you (or the medication itself). You will find a list of your repeat medication on the right hand side of the prescription.

Whilst no-one likes to think that they may have an accident or fall ill, if there is an emergency it may not always be possible for the hospital to find out what medication you are taking. Perhaps you could consider keeping a list of your medication in your jacket pocket or handbag.