Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions will be issued at the doctor’s discretion and are normally for patients on long-term treatment. Requests for prescriptions can be made online via patient access (or here if you are not registered for this), in writing or by coming to the surgery during opening hours.

Pharmacies cannot order medication on behalf of patients unless they meet the following criteria:

• School age children (if the items they need are to be administrated by the school)
• Care homes
• Individuals with funding care packages where a carer is provided to administer medicine or products
• Anyone officially homeless
• Dementia patients/ patients with learning difficulties

Please note we cannot accept prescription requests by telephone.

We are unable to issue repeat prescriptions at weekends, public holidays or out of normal surgery hours however you can request them by using the online system. Please allow three working days before collection and make allowances for weekends and public holidays.

You can collect your prescription at the Medical Centre during our opening hours. We also have arrangements with local pharmacies that collect prescriptions from the practice on a daily basis. You may find this is the most convenient option for you.

We unfortunately have difficulties with many patients requesting urgent medication as they have run out. Please make efforts to plan ahead. Certain medications have been included in our emergency/urgent prescription list. If you have run out and need urgent issue we will endeavour for the prescription to be done on the day. You will usually be asked to return after 5pm to collect the prescription. You can see a copy of our policy on Emergency/Urgent Prescriptions here.

Ordering repeat prescriptions via the online service can be straightforward and convenient as it is available at any time. If you have not already registered and would like to apply for online access, please register here.

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

• Prescription (per item): £9.00
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00
• 3-month PPC: £29.10
• If you will need 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. The charge for a single prescription item is £9.00, whereas a three month PPC will cost you £29.10 and a 12 month PPC £104.00.
• PPC telephone advice line 0300 330 1341
• General Public – Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

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

Emergency Prescriptions

Issuing emergency/urgent medications has been an extra demand on duty doctors who need to be prioritizing clinically unwell and emergency patients. There are significant safety issues in diverting their attention, predominantly because the patient has forgotten to follow the 3 working day request procedure.

The duty doctor is required to assess acutely unwell patients in the surgery and at home if needed, attend to urgent contact from medical professionals in the surgery and hospital, and at times attend to the dying or deceased.

It is also unsafe to prescribe medications without a thorough check of the medical records and ensure that all necessary assessments have been undertaken.

Listed medications

The medications listed at the end of this notice, have been identified by the practice, and most other practices, as emergency medications without which the patient could come to significant harm within 72 hours. Any other medications can be dispensed after 72 hours using the normal repeat prescription service. Certain alternatives can be obtained from the pharmacy. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you on this.

Repeat medications

Enderley Road Medical Centre has been committed to completing prescription requests within 3 working days. This can be done at reception, via our website or online (additional registration required). We do not take prescription requests over the phone. Generally, patients will know a week beforehand when they are coming towards needing a new prescription. If you have difficulty organizing prescription requests, please discuss with your pharmacist, or medical centre receptionist.

Holidays

Holidays are often booked weeks or months in advance. Common things to consider in preparation are holiday insurance, sun protection, transport… and your routine medications. Please ensure appropriate notice is given for these. We are able to supply a maximum of 2 months of medications only.

Hospital prescriptions

If you have had a clinic appointment at hospital with a consultant, you may have been given a 2 week hospital prescription. Please ensure you do not leave the hospital without seeing the hospital pharmacist .This script is not valid in community pharmacies. If it is closed, please make all efforts to attend or ask someone to attend the next day to collect this. Not all hospital prescriptions are licensed to be prescribed by GPs. They are not emergency medications. Similarly, all written correspondence from the hospital needs 72 hours to be processed.

Please enquire with reception if you have any further enquiries.

At the Enderley Road Medical Centre, we will not tolerate aggression or violence towards any of our staff; they have been instructed to follow this policy by senior doctors at the practice and have been specifically asked not to disturb the duty doctor for emergency prescriptions.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Partners, Enderley Road Medical Centre

Items Considered Emergency Medications

• Salbutamol / Ventolin reliever spray
• GTN spray
• Medications for an arrhythmia- B blocker/verapamil/diltiazem/amiodarone
• Oral nitrates
• Insulin
• Adrenaline pen
• Contraceptive pills 28 days’ supply
• Oral steroids (prednisolone/dexamethasone) if on regular dose
• Palliative care patient medications
• Lithium/antipsychotics- olanzapine, risperidone
• Methotrexate/DMARDs
• Warfarin/NOAC
• Parkinsons disease meds
• Anti-epileptics- phenytoin, sodium valproate
• Specialised baby milks

Medicines Available over the Counter

In March 2018, NHS England published guidance about reducing the prescribing of medicines or treatments that are

available to buy over the counter.

This means that certain medicines may no longer be prescribed if you can buy them ‘over the counter’.

Probiotics, and some vitamins and minerals will also no longer be routinely prescribed, because most people can and

should get these from eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet.

You can find out more information about this here.