Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

  • fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
  • leave your completed repeat slip at the surgery
    • Each computerised prescription has a tear off portion with details of medication, which should be used to make the next request.

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.

Collecting your prescription

Prescriptions can be taken to our dispensary or the on site pharmacy, or directly to your local pharmacy (Boots). Please make arrangements to collect your medication Monday to Friday during our dispensary opening hours, which are 8:30am to 6:30pm (we are closed at weekends and all Bank Holidays).

Information:

You can usually collect your prescription 5 working days after you have ordered it.

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

Our dispensers must be able to concentrate on dispensing and checking medication accurately and efficiently. Please help by ordering your prescription in good time.

Managed repeats

We now offer managed repeats, please ask a member of the dispensary staff next time you collect your repeat medication.

Questions about your prescription

If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.

The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

Generic prescribing

Where possible, doctors in this practice prescribe by generic names of medicines rather than manufacturers’ brand names. This is a guideline promoted by the government and it means that the appearance of the tablets, capsules, etc may not always be the same even if they contain the same medicine. We issue 1 month repeat prescriptions only, in accordance with government guidelines.

Prescription delivery service

We provide a delivery service for country patients who do not have to pay for their prescriptions. The delivery is to the following places on Thursday afternoon/evening:

  • Emmerdale Farm Shop – Darsham
  • Bramfield – Clarkes Butchers
  • Huntingfield Arms
  • Rumburgh Buck
  • Walberswick Tuck Shop
  • Westhall Post Office
  • Peasenhall Post Office
  • If you wish to make use of the delivery service, please let the dispensary know at least 5 working days in advance, so that your medication can be prepared for it to be delivered on Thursday.

Medication reviews

A medication review date for when you are due to see your doctor or nurse is on the repeat slip. You may not be issued with more medication until you have discussed this with the doctor or nurse.

Dispensary reviews

We also carry out dispensing reviews to ensure patients understand the purpose of the medicines they are taking and to counter wastage/over-usage of medication. We will undertake these reviews at the surgery. The reviews take the form of a 10 – 15 minute face-to-face appointment. Medication requested after 6pm will not be actioned until the following day. If you have been advised by the surgery that your medication review is due, please contact us.

We are a dispensing practice and can dispense medicines for patients who live more than one mile from a pharmacy. It is likely to take up to 15 minutes to dispense your medication as it is measured, labelled and then checked by a second dispenser. If you are unable to wait, please come back later to collect your medication.

Prescription charges

Payment can be made using cash or card payment.

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

You can also find out if you are entitled to free prescriptions.

What to do with old medicines

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

About pharmacists

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

  • coughs
  • colds
  • sore throats
  • tummy trouble
  • aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.