Prescriptions

Please allow 5 working days for repeat prescriptions to be processed.

You can request a repeat prescription in one of the following ways:

1. On-line via the link at the top of this page. If you do not have a username and password, contact the surgery to register for the system. If you require any assistance with this, please ask at reception for details. For reasons of data confidentiality, you will need to attend the surgery in person to collect your logon details and your password.
2. You can nominate a pharmacy to order your prescription(s) on your behalf.
3. Using your prescription counterfoil (the perforated right hand side).  After marking the items you require, you can place your request in the box provided in reception.
4. You can make a request in writing, enclosing a self addressed envelop if you require the prescription post to you or a pharmacy.

Please note: We are not able to take requests for repeat prescriptions over the phone.

Emergency prescription requests:

Emergency Prescription Requests are requests for medication which you need within 24 hours to prevent you becoming severely unwell. Emergency medications might include; epileptic medication, Insulin, Inhalers for lung conditions, emergency contraception and Epipen for anaphylaxis.

Emergency prescription requests must be submitted by 12:00 for collection at 17:30 the same day. Requests received after 12:00 will be processed the following day.

Emergency prescription requests are not requests for medication which has been ordered late. Routine requests submitted as Emergency requests will be reviewed by a Doctor, and if appropriate rejected or only part issued.

You should allow 5 working days for routine repeat prescription requests. It is your responsibility to ensure that your repeat prescription request is ordered in plenty of time.

THIS IS NOT THE RECEPTIONIST’S OR DISPENSER’S DECISION: PLEASE RESPECT THEM.

Emergency requests are monitored and recorded on your records. Emergency repeat requests may result in you receiving a letter from the surgery, to identify the cause for repeated Emergency requests, and try to assist you to manage your medication better.

Dispensary

The Dispensary is open for ordering and collection of medicines from 08:30 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

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 charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0300 330 1341
• General Public – Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

FP92A Form – Download and complete this application form for prescription charge exemption.

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website.

Each month the Castle Gardens Surgery takes around 4,000 telephone calls. We have identified that nearly 800 of these calls are asking if a prescription is ready for collection. We estimate that this uses over 30 hours of staff time a month and has a significant impact on other patients trying to contact the surgery.

Due to resource constraints and prioritising clinical calls, we will no longer be checking to see if a prescription is ready for collection. Prescriptions will be ready for collection 5 working days after being ordered.

This will free up considerable resources and will speed up clinically urgent calls into the surgery.

Thank you for your understanding,

Castle Gardens Surgery