The quickest and easiest way to order prescriptions is online through the NHS app.

If you do not have the NHS app, please click the button to the right to get started.

Please note: Our Dispensary is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, and 2pm to 6pm for prescription collections. We are closed between 1pm and 2pm.

Prescriptions.

How to order your prescription, and when to collect it.

How to order your repeat prescription.

 

Repeat prescriptions are issued when a GP is happy for you to have more medication without the need to see you each time. 

If your GP has agreed that your medication should be issued as a repeat, you can order it in a number of different ways. We ask that you order your medication via the NHS app where possible, as this will allow you to keep track of your medications and see your medical records. Please only request medication via email as a last resort.

Please note that it takes 72 working hours for prescriptions to be processed. You can find examples of this in the section below to help you work out when to expect your prescription to be ready.

Ordering your prescription online

You can order your prescriptions online via the NHS App. You will need to download the NHS app and create an NHS login, if you don’t have one already - if you would like any help in getting set up, please ask at reception.

Ordering your prescription in person

Alternatively, you can drop off your repeat prescription slip at reception - just tick the items you require and drop it into the box at reception.

Ordering your prescription by email

You can also order your repeat prescriptions by email - simply email us at ombersley.dispensary@nhs.net with your contact details and the medication you’re requesting. Please only request medication via email as a last resort.

How long will my prescription take to arrive?

 

Under normal circumstances, it takes 72 working hours for prescriptions to be processed.

Here’s when you can expect your prescription to be available, depending on when you order:

  • Ordered by noon Monday - ready to collect from noon Thursday

  • Ordered by noon Tuesday - ready to collect from noon Friday

  • Ordered by noon Wednesday - ready to collect from noon Monday

  • Ordered by noon Thursday - ready to collect from noon Tuesday

  • Ordered by noon Friday - ready to collect from noon Wednesday

It’s your responsibility to ensure that you order your medication in advance – we suggest when you have 7-10 days supply left, it’s time to think about re-ordering.

NHS HRT Prepayment certificates

If you pay for NHS prescribed HRT medicine 3 or more times in 12 months, an HRT PPC could save you money.

Each item on an NHS prescription usually costs £9.90. You can buy an HRT PPC for a one-off payment of £19.80 (the cost of two single items).

The HRT PPC covers an unlimited number of certain HRT medicines for 12 months, regardless of why they are prescribed.

It is important to be aware this does not cover all HRT medications.

Click here to see if your medication is covered.

For more information, click here.

28 Day Prescribing Policy

The NHS recognises that a 28-day repeat prescribing interval makes the best possible balance between patient convenience, good medical practice and minimal drug wastage.

The British Medical Association notes that “Prescribing intervals should be in line with the medically appropriate needs of the patient, taking into account the need to safeguard NHS resources, patient convenience, and the dangers of excess drugs in the home.”

The benefits of 28-day prescribing include:

  • Reducing the amount of medicine which is currently wasted when your doctor stops or changes your medicine.

  • Reducing the potential for error when your medication is changed in the middle of supply.

  • Increased safety as you will not have multiple containers of the same medicine meaning it is likely to reduce the number of mistakes made by, for example, elderly patients, and it will also reduce the risk of potential poisoning of young children.

  • Many medicines are supplied in 28-day packs, allowing you to check that you have taken your medication each day. You will start and finish the container of each medicine on the same day of the week, meaning it will be easier for your doctor to review all of the repeat medicines you are taking and to see when you have not ordered your medicines.

  • Financial losses due to medicines waste represent a direct loss to patient care. Since 28-day prescribing reduces medicines waste, this in turn has a positive impact on patient care.

Studies in the UK and abroad have shown significant savings and a reduction in waste with 28-day prescribing.

Due to the current pandemic crisis and ongoing issues with the NHS supply chain, we are implementing 28 day prescribing as per guidance from the Department of Health. NICE Guidelines support 28 day prescribing and recommend that medicines are prescribed for no more than 30 days (prescribing larger quantities puts the supply chain at risk).

Your doctor will provide you with a prescription for an interval that they believe to be most clinically appropriate for you, taking into account all sort of issues, such as how stable your condition is, how long they expect you to take the medicine for, any side-effects you may experience, whether or not your medicine may change in the future, and any monitoring required. For some patients on certain medicines at a stable dose (e.g. contraceptives & HRT), your doctor may decide it is appropriate to issue prescriptions for prescribing intervals longer than 28 days and for medicines that are taken “as required” or for creams and certain inhalers your medicines may only be available on the normal repeat basis when you will make the request in the usual way in writing.

Most patients collecting repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges; therefore there will be no difference to these patients in terms of cost due to 28-day prescribing. If you do have to pay prescription charges, then it may be beneficial for you to buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate especially if you are taking 3 or more medicines on a regular basis.

More information is available on this website www.services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/buy-prescription-prepayment-certificate

Returning your unwanted medicines to our surgery

Please click here to see what we are able to accept and the conditions of returning your medicines to the surgery.

Common Queries

 

My medication isn’t on repeat or I only use it occasionally.

Please contact your local pharmacy or the Practice to discuss any medication that you require but cannot order.

Please ensure that you ask well in advance to make sure you don’t run out of medication. Requests can take up to 3 working days to process.

What happens if I miss my checkup?

We have a duty to ensure that your medicines are prescribed safely and we will remind you to come in for appropriate tests and checkups. If reminders are ignored, we may have to reduce your medication supply until you have had your blood test or appropriate checkup.

I have a question about my prescriptions. How do I ask the Practice for information?

You can contact the Practice by calling us on 01905 622900. You can also submit an online request by clicking the button below.

I’ve requested my medication early, but it’s been rejected.

We try to prevent waste through stockpiling of medicines. If you need to order early, please give a reason with your request (e.g. going on holiday). Failure to do so may lead to your medication request being refused.

I’m having problems with my medication, or have decided to stop.

Please let us know if you have decided to stop any medication so we can update your records. It is important that you let your pharmacist or doctor know if you are having any problems with your medication.

What if my medication is out of stock?

We will continue to attempt to order your medications until available. We can also offer a printed prescription for you to take to a local pharmacy. We do not routinely contact patients where medications are out of stock.

How much will my prescription cost?

There are standard NHS prescription charges, to find out more information about prescription charges click the button below.