Prescriptions

General prescription request – Started by a GP

Acute

These medications are not yet available for you to request as a repeat as the GP would want you to try them first to establish that you can tolerate them. A review would normally be carried out by the GP, or you would have been advised to speak to one of the pharmacy team after a certain period of time.

Repeat

These are medications that the GP is happy for you to continue to take, and we ask that you give the surgery at least a minimum of 3 working days for us to process, so ensure that you give us enough time to process please request either through your nominated pharmacy, online, NHS App or in person at the surgery.

There are some exceptions to the above, these are as follows:

NHS discharge letters

After a hospital stay, the ward would have provided you with at least two weeks worth of medication, to allow us to process these requests within those 2 weeks (excludes weekends), and this will be from when the surgery receives the letter.

NHS outpatient letters

We would aim to process these requests within 2 working weeks (excludes weekends), and this will be from when the surgery receives the letter, not from the date you were seen in clinic.

Private hospital letters

We would aim to process these requests within 3 working weeks* (excludes weekends), and this will be from when the surgery receives the letter.

Please be aware that not all medication requested are available within general practice to issue on an NHS prescription, you will be advised by our pharmacy team should this be the case, and directed back to your private provider for them to issue you a private prescription.

*Please note that NHS letters would be our priority to process first.

Ordering repeat prescriptions

If you are on regular medication and your doctor feels your medication can be repeated without you being seen each time, you will be given a repeat prescription slip.

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

• using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
• using the GP online system: Patient Access

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

You can also:

• hand you repeat prescription slip to reception
• post your prescription slip to the surgery, pleas include a stamped addressed envelope for return
• fill out a repeat prescriptions request form

We can only accept repeat prescription requests for items which have been previously agreed by the doctor to be suitable for repeat prescription ordering, and for which you have not yet used up all your quota of issues before the doctor needs to review your medication. In these circumstances we shall usually be able to meet your request but sometimes even so there may be reasons why we cannot issue a repeat prescription for some or all of the items. The
receptionist will explain when you call to collect the prescription.

Receptionists cannot accept phone requests for repeat prescriptions.

You can order your repeat prescription via our website but we cannot reply to e-mail enquiries or requests for anything other than prescriptions. For all enquiries contact the surgery by telephone or call in to reception.

Collecting your prescription

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is a NHS service that allows us to send your prescription(s) directly to your chosen pharmacy. This paper-free prescription service means that you do not have to come into the surgery to collect your prescription.

We encourage all patients to register for this free service, which can be arranged directly with the pharmacy when collecting your medication. Alternatively, this form can be completed.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

• on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
• fill out a nominate a pharmacy form
• at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

Medication requests

Please see the medication requests page for more information.

Pharmacy collection changes

We have been informed by the following pharmacies that they will no longer be collecting prescriptions from us:

• Tilehurst Pharmacy
• Overdown Road Pharmacy

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused but this decision is out of our control.

Questions about your prescription

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

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

• fill out an ask a prescription question form

Medication reviews

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.

Prescription charges

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.

Find out more about prescription charges.

What to do with old medicines

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.

About pharmacists

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

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.