Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.

When ordering your repeat medications please allow 7-10 days prior to running out.

Collecting your prescription

Information:

You can usually collect your prescription 3 working days after you have ordered it.

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

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

Uley dispensary

Uley surgery can dispense prescription medicines to patients who live more than a one mile radius from their nearest pharmacy. Those patients on the dispensing register may obtain their medicines from the Uley Surgery.

Our dispensing staff are fully qualified dispensers and liaise daily with the doctors on prescribing.

Repeat prescriptions can be obtained without seeing a doctor, but please note that all requests for repeat prescriptions will be checked and verified by the doctor. This means only requests from patients entitled to receive repeat prescriptions will be accepted.

28 day repeat prescribing

If you are being prescribed a repeat medicine then the amount of medication you receive on your prescription may change. Your doctor will prescribe enough of each medicine you receive to last you for 28 days.

For example, if you are taking 2 tablets a day you will receive 56 tablets, three tablets a day 84 tablets, four tablets a day 112 tablets etc.

What are the benefits of 28 day prescribing?

Most patients should only have to visit the pharmacy once a month to collect all their repeat medicines. Presently a large number of patients make several visits a month to their doctor because their medicines all run out at different times.

Patients will start, (and finish) their container of medicine on the same day of the week. This will reduce the number of emergency requests from patients running out of medicine during a weekend.

It will be easier for the doctor to review all of the repeat medicines each patient is taking and also easier for the doctor to see if a patient is not taking any of their medicines.

It will reduce the number of mistakes made by elderly patients when they take their medicine, as patients will be less likely to have multiple partly filled containers at home.

It will reduce the amount of medicines you have at home. Medicines can be dangerous if taken by people that they are not intended for, and safe storage can be a problem with large amounts of medicines. If large quantities are issued, they may go out of date before they are needed and may not work properly.

Companies already manufacture medicines in 28 day calendar packs. These packs have patient information leaflets inside and ideally should not be broken into. The Government is encouraging companies to manufacture more medicines in these types of pack.

It will reduce waste. Around one third of all medicines dispensed are not used. Waste can occur because treatments are stopped, changed or ordered by mistake. If larger amounts are given out each time, the amounts wasted are greater.

What if I pay for my prescriptions?

If you pay for your prescriptions, you may be able to save money by getting a prepayment certificate if you get more than one item on prescription each month. You can get an application form from the surgery, from a community pharmacy, or by calling 0845 850 0030.

Emergency supply of medication

In the event that the surgery is closed and you need an emergency supply of medication, please visit the Gloucestershire LPC website for more information and details of where to collect.

Pathfinder Prescription

To find out more, please read the pathfinder prescription leaflet (PDF)..

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 (nhs.uk)

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

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

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

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 (nhs.uk)

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.