Prescriptions

Download the NHS app to be able to order your prescriptions as well as looking at results and appointments you may have booked.

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered by telephone (for a verified cohort), in person or online.  There is a letter box for your repeat prescription requests in the surgery entrance. The telephone number for repeat prescriptions is 017683 52994 – opt 2, please follow the instructions on the telephone system.

Please ask at reception to register for online prescription ordering or click on the link below:

Find out how to order prescriptions online

Receptionists are unable to process repeat prescription requests. Please allow 2 working days before you’re the prescription will be ready for collection.

There are a number of ways that we manage prescription requirements for patients and why it is important to order them differently:

Acute prescriptions – items which the GP has decided you can NOT order on a regular repeat prescription. These require longer to process because the GP needs to review your medical records to determine the appropriateness of the medication you have requested.  These items will not be listed on your repeat slip.

Repeat prescriptions – These items are those that the GP has decided you can order on a regular basis. The items will be listed on your right hand side of the prescription. These are processed quickly and should be available for collection within 2 working days of requesting.  Please note that we are now unable to take requests by telephone except on the prescription line. This avoids mistakes being made and keeps our telephone lines and receptionists’ time free to deal with more urgent patient requests. 

Repeat Dispensing and the benefits – This is a system we utilise that means that you do not have to re-order or collect your repeat prescriptions from the surgery every time you need more medication.  eRD allows the prescriber to authorise and issue a batch of repeatable prescriptions for up to 6 months with just one digital signature. Instead you can continue to go directly to your chosen pharmacy to collect your medication at the agreed interval.  When you collect your medication you should be asked a few simple questions by the pharmacy staff to ensure your medication needs have not changed.

Electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) is an integral part of EPS, which offers many extra benefits over paper repeat dispensing and repeat prescribing. 

  • two-thirds of prescriptions issued in primary care are repeat prescriptions. These repeat prescriptions account for nearly 80% of NHS medicine costs for primary care
  • 410 million repeat prescriptions are generated every year – equivalent to an average of more than 375 per GP per week
  • this could save 2.7 million hours of GP and practice time
  • reduced footfall at the GP practice and fewer telephone calls as patients don’t need to collect or order repeat prescriptions for the duration of their eRD batch.

The benefits of eRD for patients – video on Youtube

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.

Prescription Exemptions

People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they have a valid medical exemption certificate.

A medical exemption certificate:
•entitles you to free NHS prescriptions only
•doesn’t cover dental treatment or help with other health costs
•should be shown when you collect a prescription
•is valid for five years (or until your 60th birthday, whichever is sooner)

It’s your responsibility to check the expiry date, and if you claim free prescriptions after your certificate expires, you could have to pay a penalty charge of up to £100.

You can apply for a medical exemption certificate if you have specific medical conditions, eg – Diabetes, Hypothyroidism or undergoing treatment for Cancer. 

This does not include medication for treatment of additional conditions. 

Useful link for further information https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/medical-exemption-certificates

People on a low income could be entitled for help with costs or free prescriptions

Please click on the three lines on the left hand side of ‘Appleby Medical Practice’ for further practice related information.