Repeat prescriptions are for items which are necessary for the treatment of on-going chronic conditions. Examples of these are diabetes, asthma, heart conditions etc. Details of items which the patient can request on repeat are entered on the computer by the GP, once a definite diagnosis has been made and treatment plan drawn up. The doctor will authorise a specific number of repeats and once this number has been used up, the patient will be advised that they may need to make an appointment with the doctor or complete a medication review questionnaire to have their medication reviewed. This is necessary to ensure the effectiveness and appropriateness of treatment.
Patients can request by one of the following methods:
- Mark the required items on the re-order form and place it in the grey post box which is located at the reception desk.
- Mark the required items on the re-order form and post it to the surgery.
- Register with the practice's on-line service for ordering repeat prescriptions.
Contact the practice for details of how to register for this service and then you can use the system to order your repeat prescriptions.
If you are not already set up for online services, please contact the practice by telephone between the hours of 10am to 3pm to sign up for online ordering of repeat prescriptions.
Medication Review
Complete the Patient Medication Review Questionnaire
Save time, order online
- Order any time day or night 24/7
- Keep track of your prescription
- Only order what you need
- Confidential, reliable and secure
- Quick and easy
- Contact your GP Surgery to obtain login details
Access Online Services.
Acute Prescriptions
Acute prescriptions are for items which are required to alleviate an acute problem that has just arisen, e.g. sore throat, bad cough etc. Consequently, the majority of acute prescriptions are issued during surgery consultations.
Occasionally, the doctor will prescribe items such as simple painkillers, or diarrhoea remedies (for adults only) in response to telephone requests. However, antibiotics are never prescribed in response to a telephone request.
If an acute prescription has been issued, we would aim to have it ready for collection 48 hours later, always depending on the GP's workload and unexpected occurrences. If an acute prescription has not been issued, the doctor will normally leave a message for the patient, either advising them to make an appointment or giving advice.
Some over-the-counter items are not given on prescription. Practice staff will advise on whether a requested item may be given on prescription.
Outpatient Department Letters
If a patient has attended the Outpatients' Department at the hospital and has brought in a discharge letter which includes a prescription, this will be available for collection within 2 working days, unless the medication is needed more urgently, e.g. Antibiotics.
Collecting
- Please nominate a Pharmacy to collect your prescription - for repeat and acute prescriptions.
- Repeat prescriptions are ready for collection 3 working days after we receive the request.
- Acute prescriptions are ready for collection 2 working days after we receive the request.
- Collection and processing by pharmacies will add further time to this time frame.
- Please do not ring the surgery to check if the prescription is ready.
Cost Effectiveness
The practice is constantly encouraged by the government and the local Health Board to prescribe as cost effectively as possible. In order to do so the practice is increasingly prescribing generic drugs as alternatives to the more expensive branded drugs. Generic drugs are subject to strict government quality control standards. The doctors would like to reassure all patients that the generic substitution has the same biological properties, efficacy, safety and quality as branded drugs. If there are any difficulties with prescriptions, patients are encouraged to inform the doctor.