Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

using the above link to SystmOne online services
using Airmid app or your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
using the Online Form on our Admin Query page

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

You can also bring your prescription request into the surgery and post it in the red box in reception.

We are unable to take repeat prescription requests over the telephone as we require an audit trail. Please note that there may be times when the doctor or pharmacist will wish to see you/speak to you before issuing further repeat prescriptions.

Collecting your prescription

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

Please allow 3 working days from receipt of your request before collecting it from your nominated pharmacy. Please make allowances for weekends and bank holidays.

Any problems please call us 01604 670780 between 11am to 8pm selecting Prescription line.

Please do not send children to collect prescriptions as we cannot give prescriptions to anyone under the age of 16.

Lost Prescription Policy

Prescription medication is the responsibility of the patient or carer. If a prescription is lost, it is at the discretion of the practice whether it will be replaced. For controlled drugs (CD), you must report the loss to the police and obtain a crime reference number before a replacement can be considered.

Controlled Drugs

Woodview Medical Centre has a strict policy to minimse the abuse of controlled drugs and opiods. If you are taking any controlled drugs e.g Pregabalin and morphines, you would require to sign our controlled drugs and opiods agreement.

Queries about your medication

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)

Pharmacy services

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.

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.

Self Care Aware

Following an extensive public consultation exercise, NHS England (NHSE) medicines which are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket (over the counter) will no longer be routinely prescribed for the following conditions:

NHS England has recommended medicines for minor ailments such as colds, hayfever & mild dry skin should no longer be routinely prescribed. Please purchase these over the counter in future. More info is available at www.nhs.uk/OTCmedicines

What are the benefits of using pharmacies?

It prevents unnecessary GP appointments for common conditions.
Access to pharmacies is easier and sometimes quicker than waiting for a GP appointment.
Pharmacies are open out of hours, like late nights and at the weekend, which is convenient for people who work or when the GP practice is closed.

Why is it changing?

The NHS has been spending around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought over the counter, such as paracetamol.

By reducing the amount it spends on OTC medicines, the NHS can give priority to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.

How your local pharmacy team can help you?

Pharmacists can give clinical advice and help you choose the most appropriate treatment. If your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll ensure you get the care you need. You can by over the counter medications for the common illnesses listed above.

What if my symptoms don’t improve?

Your local pharmacy team can tell you how long to expect the symptoms of your condition to last. If they haven’t improved after this time or you start to feel a lot worse, you should:

Go back to the pharmacy for further advice
Call NHS 111
Contact your GP

Will there be any exceptions?

In some cases, you can still get prescriptions for medicines used to treat these conditions. You may still be prescribed a medicine for a condition on the list if:

you need treatment for a long-term condition, for example regular pain relief for chronic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
you need treatment for more complex forms of minor illnesses, for example migraines that are very bad and where OTC medicines do not work
you need an OTC medicine to treat a side effect of a prescription medicine or symptom of another illness, such as constipation when taking certain painkillers
the medicine has a licence that doesn’t allow the product to be sold to certain groups of patients. This could include babies, children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
the person prescribing thinks that a patient cannot treat themselves, for example because of mental health problems

Will probiotics, vitamins and minerals be prescribed?

GPs, nurses or pharmacists will also generally no longer prescribe probiotics and some vitamins and minerals. You can get these from eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet, or buy them at your pharmacy or supermarket.

More information is available on the NHS England website.

Find out more about self -care at www.nhs.uk