Prescriptions

Urgent Prescription Policy

Due to an increasing number of requests for repeat prescriptions to be issued urgently we have had to review how we handle these requests in order to provide safe and consistent service to all of our patients. Requests for prescriptions outside the normal prescription protocol impacts significantly on both doctor and administration staff time, meaning there is less availability to a doctor for other patients and a higher risk of a prescribing error occurring. We require 2 full working days for prescriptions.

If you ask for an urgent repeat prescription you will need to give a reason for your request. You may also be required to contact the police, in some cases, if the medication has been lost and it is a controlled drug and also provide a crime number.

Many medications can be safely missed for a few days. We will not issue urgent prescriptions for items that can be bought over the counter or for non- essential medication and you may be informed that your medication will be processed following the normal repeat prescription process. If your medication cannot be missed, the item will be issued as required. All urgent prescriptions must be collected in person from the surgery. We reserve the right to withdraw the service to patients requesting urgent prescriptions on a regular basis.

Medications that WILL NOT be issued urgently:

• Anything that can be purchased over the counter eg paracetamol, emollients, ibuprofen, low dose co-codamol
• Nutritional supplements/ vitamins/ iron
• Statins
• Antidepressants
• Sleeping tablets
• Erectile dysfunction drugs
• Skin creams
• Eye drops
• Asthma inhalers (excluding salbutamol/Ventolin)
• Regular painkillers
• Oral contraceptives
• Oral medications for diabetes
• Prescriptions following discharge from hospital and outpatient clinics

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate that you may find this frustrating. This step has been implemented as a necessity to protect Doctors time for more clinically urgent matters.

If your regular medication has stayed the same for six months or more and your last hospital stay was more than six months ago, you may be suitable for Batch Prescribing (this is sometimes called Repeat Dispensing). Please read more then and complete the relevant patient form(s) below.

What is Batch Prescribing?

Batch prescribing is an alternative way to receive your medications, based on an agreement between you, your GP and your nominated pharmacy. A number of prescriptions are issued by your doctor at the same time, to cover an agreed period of up to one year, and are sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy.

How does it work?

Your GP issues a batch of prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy, which then dispenses your medication in the usual way. When you are due your next supply of medicines, the pharmacy already has the prescription and can dispense each batch to you without the need to contact the surgery. This means that for the agreed period, you simply have to go to the pharmacy to collect your medication. Some pharmacies ask for you to simply call before you wish to collect your prescription. This allows them to ensure it is ready and waiting for you to collect.

What happens next?

Your GP will assess whether you are suitable for batch prescribing and a member of the team will contact you to let you know the outcome. If you are not currently suitable, it does not mean that you will not be able to participate in the future.

Frequently asked questions:

What if I want to change pharmacy?

You can choose to change your nominated pharmacy at any point during your Batch prescription. Simply ask your new pharmacy to register you and they can access any remaining prescriptions that have not yet been dispensed.

What if I leave the surgery?

If you leave the surgery, we are obligated to cancel any remaining prescriptions that we have issued and you will need to arrange a new supply of medication to be given to you by your new surgery, so please give yourself time to arrange this.

What if I am on holiday?

If you are going on holiday and will run out of medication whilst away, your pharmacy can access your next prescription early after a discussion with you.

What happens at the end of the batches?

Your pharmacy will let you know they have issued you your last prescription. At this point you may need a review; you will need to contact the surgery to let them know your batches have ended. You might not need a review, but if you do, they will assess to see what monitoring you might need and ask you to make the appropriate appointments if you need to speak to or see a clinician. Once you have had your review, the surgery can then reinstate your batches.

What if I don’t attend for a review?

If you choose not to attend for a review, you will be automatically classed as unsuitable to continue on batch prescribing, as it has not been possible to assess your stability on your medications.

What if there have been changes that may affect my medication?

Each time you collect your next supply of medicines from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will ask you a selection of questions to ensure that your medications remain current and suitable. If you know or feel that there is a reason why your medicines may need reviewing, e.g you have been in hospital or you have started taking additional over-the-counter medicines, please let your pharmacist know.

NHS England have produced a leaflet for patients on Over the Counter Medication. This is medication that can be purchased from a pharmacy for a range of minor illnesses. The Practice complies with this policy, and you may be asked to purchase your medication rather than it being available on prescription.