*Dispensary phone number has changed - it is 01322 420104*
For dispensary queries, please use econsult in the first instance or alternatively leave a message on dispensary voicemail. Messages will be listened to intermittently throughout the day. Any messages left after 5.00pm will not be listened to until the following working day. To make requests for repeat medication - you can do this via an app, using patient online services or by sending in a paper request. eConsult is open 8.00am to 11.00am. Requests for repeat medication will not be taken over the telephone.
Please Note: We are experiencing unprecedented demand in the Surgery Dispensary so we would urge patients to use the Dispensary in a timely and responsible fashion
- please do not request your prescription/medicines early - it will not be processed until it is due
- we require 3 working days to prepare prescriptions/medicines - please do not come to the practice to collect before this time as it will not be ready
Thank you for your understanding
Dispensing patients who cannot collect their medications
In the first instance, dispensing patients must do their best to arrange collection and drop off of dispensed medication by a duly authorised person such as family member, friend or carer. Where this is not possible, then the Practice would signpost the patient to a local volunteer and/or NHS Volunteer Responder service who may deliver and collect their prescription. If for whatever reason, this is not possible, then the Practice would either deliver the medicine themselves or instruct another local Pharmacy to do so.
Prescription requests
We do not accept verbal requests either in person or over the telephone. Requests must be made either online, via an app or via econsult or on paper. Our postbox is to the left hand side of the main entrance. Please put any paper repeat prescription requests in this box. Please do not enter the surgery to access the dispensary unless you are collecting dispensed medication. If you have a query that is not related to a repeat medication, then phone us and leave a message on the dispensary voicemail.
If you are a Dispensing Patient [i.e. you have been told that you can have your medicines dispensed directly by us], then we would ask that if at all possible, you sign up for online repeat requests. If you do not have access to the internet, then dispensary will take your request on paper.
See here for Online Services - *Dispensing patients cannot request online but for non-dispensing patients you can use a variety of apps including the myGP app or NHS app to name but a few.
Please note, we do not accept cash payments in the dispensary. You can pay by card, contactless or cheque.
Online Services for *Non Dispensing* Patients
If you want to be able to request repeat prescriptions directly from the surgery, download the document to register for these services (PDF, 283KB).
Please fill out and bring the form in to reception with your ID to be checked.
The NHS App has additional functionalities to help you manage interactions with your practice (e.g. view and share your COVID-19 status, order repeat medication, book appointments and access health advice).
Prescription Prepayment Scheme
Save money on NHS prescriptions by prepaying for them.
You can pay a set price for prescriptions for 3 or 12 months, no matter how many you need.
A prescription costs £9.35 per item, but prepaying for an unlimited number of prescriptions is:
- £30.25 for 3 months
- £108.10 for 12 months (or 10 Direct Debit instalments of £10.81)
How it works
We do not send out plastic cards any more because they take time to reach you. They are also costly to the NHS and the environment.
We can send your certificate details by email, or you can print them at the end of the service.
Show your certificate details when you collect your prescription. You can collect prescriptions straight away, if your start date is today or earlier.
Buy prescription prepayment certificate here.
What is the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)?
EPS is an NHS-funded service in England. It gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the healthcare professional you choose to get your medication or appliances from.
What does this mean for you?
- if you currently collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP, you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the pharmacy, saving you time.
- you can choose where to get your medication from because it can be collected from a pharmacy near where you live, work or shop.
- you may also not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be more time for your repeat prescriptions to be prepared
- download a nomination form which you can fill out and bring into either the surgery or your nominated chemist (DOCX, 96KB)
- if you are using an app to order your medication such as healthera, myGP or the nhs app, if you change your chemist nomination, please ensure this is updated in your app as we have been made aware of a problem were the app does not recognise a change made at the GP Surgery.
- we upgraded to Electronic Prescription Service (EPS4) on 12/06/2020 which means that almost all our prescriptions are processed electronically.
Electronic prescriptions help save the NHS money.
You will receive your prescriptions in the same way as you do now.
Read more about EPS on the NHS website.
*Please note - if you are dispensing patient, this will not affect you*
Repeat medication/dispensing of medication – the rules in brief
- please allow at least 3 full working days for your routine repeat prescription
- please allow longer if you are requesting something that is not on repeat
- please take note of reminders to book a medication review or this will also delay your prescription
- please book your medication review in good time. A ‘routine’ consultation slot is all that is necessary
- please put your medication request into the dispensary in good time - our staff has very high volumes of requests to deal with
- the dispensing/reception staff will not disturb a GP who is in Surgery to get a prescription signed because you have left it too late and have run out of medication - you will be asked to return later the same day or the following day
- thank you to all our patients who put their requests into dispensary in a timely fashion
Repeat prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions will be issued at the doctor's discretion via our dispensary. Requests should be made using computer-printed repeat slips or plain paper if slips not available. Please allow three full working days before collection and make an extra allowance for weekends and public holidays or if there are any queries around non-repeat medication being requested as this takes longer to sort out. Repeat requests can be made by post if you wish your prescription to be posted to you - please enclose a stamped addressed envelope (but allow longer for this). We now offer electronic prescription services where you can nominate a chemist (if you are not a dispensing patient) for your repeat prescriptions to be automatically sent to.
Medication review
Patients will be required to be seen at least once a year for a review of their repeat medication. Patients are asked to book their medication review as soon as they are informed via their repeat slip that a medication review is due. If you find that you will run out of medication before your medication review appointment, then please let dispensary know and they will ensure you have enough to see you through. Please let your doctor know if you are taking any other medication not prescribed by us, i.e. over the counter medication, herbal remedies, vitamin or health supplements or medication prescribed and dispensed for you by a hospital.
Over the Counter Medications will no longer be prescribed.
Dispensing
Patients living more than 1.6km from their nearest chemist can collect medication from our dispensary but must register for this service. Requests for repeat medications are made in the same way as for repeat prescriptions.
Dispensary opening hours
Monday |
8.30am to 1.00pm then re-opens 3.30pm to 6.30pm |
Tuesday |
8.30am to 1.00pm then re-opens 3.30pm to 6.30pm |
Wednesday |
8.30am to 1.00pm then re-opens 3.30pm to 6.30pm |
Thursday |
8.30am to 1.00pm then re-opens 3.30pm to 6.30pm |
Friday |
8.30am to 1.00pm then re-opens 3.30pm to 6.30pm |