Prescriptions

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?

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.

For further information on:

• Choosing a pharmacy or other dispenser
• Cancelling or changing your choice of pharmacist or dispenser
• What can I do if I'm unhappy with the process?

Go to Electronic prescriptions .nhs.uk.

The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is:

• using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)

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

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

If you get regular or repeat prescriptions, you could save time by switching to electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD).

eRD sends your prescriptions electronically from your GP practice to a pharmacy of your choice.  It's easy to use and you don't need a computer or electronic device.  Ask a member of the practice team or the pharmacist to set it up for you.

eRD allows your GP to prescribe your regular medicines for up to a year.  It is reliable, secure and confidential.  Your regular prescriptions are stored securely on the NHS database, so they'll be ready at the pharmacy each time you need them.

Using eRD you can:

• save time by avoiding unnecessary trips or calls to your GP every time you need to order a repeat prescription
• pick up your repeat prescriptions directly from your pharmacy without having to visit your GP
• spend less time waiting for your prescription in the pharmacy or GP practice
• save paper - you won't need a paper prescription to collect your medicine from the pharmay

For more information about eRD and how it works, ask a team member at the practice or your preferred pharmacy.  You can also visit the NHS website: eRD information for patients | NHSBSA

You will need to complete a consent form before we are able to commence eRD.

In order to use eRD you must have recorded a nominated pharmacy (your preferred pharmacy).  You may have already done this.  If not, you can do this via the NHS App or by contacting the practice.

If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.

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 fill in our medication query form.

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 consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.

These are usually medications that have been started recently but not added to your repeat list as they may need to be reviewed or a one-off prescription for a temporary condition. Occasionally, these medicines or creams may be needed again for a recurrence of the same condition or the original episode going on for longer than anticipated.

You may request the item in writing to the doctor giving your name, date of birth, address and the reason why you are requesting the item. The doctor may issue a further prescription without seeing you or they ask to speak to you for a reassessment of your condition. 

Please allow 5 to 7 days for these requests to be processed.

You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 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:

• on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
• at your GP practice
• at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

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

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.