How to order your repeat prescription
Non-urgent advice: Turn around time
Whichever method you use for ordering a repeat prescription, it takes 48 hours to process.
If your prescription is urgent then please mark it as urgent on the request, and explain why.
Online via SystmOnline
If you order medication frequently then the best way is to do this via the patient portal directly linked to the computer system at the practice, called SystmOnline.
Login to SystmOnlineHow to register for SystmOnline
- Phone the practice reception team
- Verify your identity
- Receive a username and password
- Login to SystmOnline
NOT via Online Reception Desk
In person
You can do this by returning the right hand half of a previous prescription with the required medications ticked, or by submitting a handwritten request.
Please put this repeat prescription request in the box on the reception desk.
By post
You can post your prescription slip or written request to us at the practice. You can include a stamped addressed envelope for return by post if you will not be able to pick up your prescription from the surgery.
We do not accept prescription requests by email.
Phone
We do not take requests for medication by phone.
Electronic Prescription Service
Instead of issuing a green hand signed paper prescription, the doctor can now send the prescription electronically to your chosen pharmacist.
This means you don’t have to come back to the surgery to pick up the prescription, but you can go straight to the pharmacist and pick up your medicine.
This works even better if you request the medicine online as it means you can miss out on two trips to the practice.
You can nominate your pharmacy:
- Visiting your regular pharmacy and signing up for electronic prescribing.
- Ask the receptionist at the practice to register your chosen pharmacy.
- You can also change your nominated pharmacy through the online portal under the medication section and then click on ‘change pharmacy’. However you cannot make the initial nomination online.
Find out more about electronic prescribing
Non-urgent advice: Medication Reviews
The doctor or pharmacist at the practice regularly review the medication you are taking. They will sometimes call you in for a medication review and this may involve blood tests. It is very important that you attend these appointments, as it keeps you safe whilst taking medication.
Supply of Medication for Patients Travelling Abroad
Policy for Supply of Medicines for Patients Travelling Abroad
This policy outlines the procedure for patients travelling abroad for short and long periods of time.
NHS Policy
By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. In addition GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.
The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should then find an alternative supply of that medication.
Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months should be removed from the registered patient list.
Aire Valley Surgery Policy
Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months
For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so. Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns. Supply of any medication is at the discretion of the GP.
Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months
Patients who inform us they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination (up to 3 months’ supply where safe to do so).
They will also be removed from our patient list. We will be pleased to re-register patients on their return to residence in the UK and can reassure patients that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference on your return.
Patients and relatives should not seek medication for themselves while they are abroad as this constitutes NHS fraud.
Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad.
GP’s will only prescribe NHS prescriptions in this case for exacerbations of pre-existing illnesses. Eg antibiotics for patients who have frequent infections secondary to an underlying lung condition.
GPs may provide private prescriptions if it is clinically appropriate and they can be self-administered safely without medical assessment while abroad. These prescriptions are not free.
Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and you should check with that country’s embassy before you travel.
References:
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1755.aspx?CategoryID=73&SubCategoryID=105
https://www.wessexlmcs.com/patientstravellingabroadprescriptionsadvice