General Information About Requesting Prescriptions
PLEASE NOTE - We do not prescribe hayfever remedies so please do not request them. They are widely avaliable to purchase over the counter or at your local pharmacy. This includes patients who are exempt from paying for their prescriptions.
Medication Reviews
If you are asked to attend for a medication review and/or blood tests/blood pressure test, please be assured that this is part of our quality improvement drive aiming to deliver excellent patient care. Your co-operation is appreciated.
Requesting a prescription during the current Covid19 crisis – updated 26/03/2020
Please request all prescriptions on-line where possible
If you do not have access to the internet post requests in our post box located in the surgery foyer
When requesting a prescription please nominate a local pharmacy for collection. The surgery has suspended the collection of prescriptions from the surgery to restricting foot fall on our premises for the protection of both patients and staff.
Please do not request extra medication or request medication earlier than required, these requests will not be dealt with unless there is a medical need, this in line with guidance from the Clinical Commissioning Group.
Requesting medication you have either never previously been prescribed or have not had for a long period of time: Please contact the surgery and arrange a call back from one of our clinical team who will assess your medical requirements.
PLEASE ALLOW 7 FULL WORKING DAYS from submitting your request to collecting from your nominated pharmacy. PLEASE DO NOT PHONE THE SURGERY OR THE PHARMACY TO ASK IF YOUR PRESCRIPTION IS READY
Patients who are self-isolating and require help to order or collect medication please contact the Cornavirus community helpline email: burnhamandhighbridge@gmail.com Tel - 01278 787852
Can I order a repeat prescription in advance?
Except in circumstances where you will be away, the earliest you can order a repeat presciption is seven-ten days before it is due. If you order medication earlier than this there may be a delay before the prescription is issued.
If you are going away, for example, you can make an early request but you will need to provide us with a note stating the reason for your early request. This may then avoid any unnecessary delay.
Patients travelling abroad can ask for a supply of repeat medications for a maximum period of 3 months. Please note that we can only supply 3 month's of medication within a 3 month period, so be aware when ordering. If there is a need for repeat medications for a longer than the 3 month's provided then patients must register with a doctor abroad to obtain ongoing supplies.
Why should there be a delay if I order early?
Regardless of which method you use, the computer system monitors how much is being prescribed and as a result if you request a medication before it is due there may be a delay before the prescription is issued. For example, if in the past six weeks you had received a repeat prescription for three months our computer will tell us that the next prescription is not yet due.
What about urgent prescription requests?
We process approximately 3,000 repeat prescription requests per week and our systems and processes are designed to ensure that we process these requests in the timescale as stated above. To help us achieve this we would ask patients to remember to order medication in time.
Where there is a genuine urgent request we will endeavour to meet your request, however, urgent request should be the exception rather than the norm. Essential medications, such as insulin, will be prioritised.
How will your prescription be sent to your chosen pharmacy?
There are two ways of your prescription being issued;
1. There will be a printed green paper prescription, this can then be available to collect from the medical centre (if desired) or it will be collected by the selected pharmacy (normally on a daily basis).
2. A prescription can be sent via the electronic prescription service (EPS). This means it will be issued/signed by the GP and then sent directly via the spine to your nominated pharmacy. (Please note that not all medications can be sent via this service e.g. controlled drugs).
Please allow some time for the pharmacy to dispense your medication once sent from the medical centre.