Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions are issued for medication which your doctor has agreed you need on a regular basis. These are usually issued monthly but you will need to see your doctor at intervals decided by the doctor so that your treatment can be monitored.

New patients will need to see the doctor before any medication that is already being taken can be given.

You can request your medication using the following methods:

• Using the order form attached to your prescription, tick the items you require and put your request into the "post box" adjacent to the reception window.  If you cannot find your request form you can write down the items you require and use one of the above procedures.  
• Using your order form attached to your prescription, tick the items you require and send it through the post either enclosing a SAE for us to post your prescription back to you or you can pick it up yourself or arrange for someone else to collect it.  If you cannot find your request form you can write down the items you require and use one of the above procedures.
• Via a Pharmacy Ordering Service.  You can sign up with a local pharmacy to order, collect and in some case deliver your repeat prescriptions. (Please see tab for Pharmacy Order Services for guidelines)
• You can order via our Online Services - please see Quick Links - Online Services. Please note that you can only use this service if you have registered.  You need to do this by completing a Registration Form and providing proof of identification.  Our Online Service is only available for patients aged 16 and over.

Please note, we do not accept repeat prescription requests over the telephone due to the high volume of requests.  This would tie up the telephone lines for patients trying to contact to book appointments or those trying to contact us in an emergency situation.

Collections

Prescriptions can be picked up between 08:00 and 18:30 Monday to Friday.  

Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to our practice pharmacist at least every 6 months to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip.

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

Pharmacy Ordering Service

Most local pharmacies offer a service to patients to order and collect repeat prescriptions on behalf of the patient.  In some case, they will also deliver the medications directly to the patient's home.  The service can only be used for patients who have regular repeat medication and not for patients requesting medication that is not a repeat item.

Any patient wishing to use this service needs to contact their local pharmacy and sign up for the service.  The pharmacy will ask the patient to sign a consent form and a copy of this will be given to the surgery.  The surgery will only issue and hand out prescriptions to pharmacies once we have received the consent form.  Please note that this service is an agreement between the patient and the pharmacy and not the surgery.

If a patient chooses to change the pharmacy for their ordering, the patient must inform the old pharmacy that they no longer wish to use the service and MUST sign a consent form with the new pharmacy.  The surgery will only issue and hand out prescriptions to the new pharmacy once the consent form has been received.

The Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have recently issued some new guidelines regarding Pharmacy Ordering Services.  All local pharmacies are aware of these guidelines. The new guidelines for patients are:

• Your pharmacy must now confirm with you which medication you require during the week before you are due to get your medicines. This should happen every time your medicines are due to be issued.
• Please make sure the pharmacy can contact you by phone. If they are not able to contact you, then you may be required to order your own prescriptions directly from your GP in future.  
• The pharmacy will ask you which medicines you need. Please do not ask for any medicine you have enough of already, e.g. creams, sprays or medicines you take as required.
• If you have not been contacted or receive any medicine you have not asked for, please notify your GP practice staff.

The surgery will ONLY accept repeat prescription requests from a pharmacy if the pharmacist has signed, stamped and dated the request to show that they have contacted the patient.

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): £9.35
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £108.10
• 3-month PPC: £30.25

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.

• 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

A new way to get your medicines and appliances

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.

Is this service right for you?
Yes, if you have a stable condition and you:
 don’t want to go to your GP practice every time to collect your repeat prescription.
 collect your medicines from the same place most of the time or use a prescription collection service now.

It may not be if you:
 don’t get prescriptions very often.
 pick up your medicines from different places.

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).
 your dispensing GP practice (if you are eligible).
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 or cancel it and get a paper prescription?
Yes you can. If you don’t want your prescription to be sent electronically tell your GP. 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. Dispensers will also see all the items on your reorder slip if you are on repeat prescriptions.

If you are unhappy with your experience of nomination, you can complain to the pharmacy, dispensing appliance contractor (DAC) or GP practice. You can also complain to NHS England or their local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) if your complaint cannot be resolved www.england.nhs.uk/contact-us/complaint/
For more information visit www.hscic.gov.uk/epspatients, your pharmacy or GP practice.