There are several ways to request a repeat prescription:

Request a repeat prescription within the NHS App.

          Fill out an admin query through practice website by clicking on ‘Contact us online’ then choose ‘I have an admin query’ and follow the instructions given.

     Order in person by returning the right-hand half of a previous paper prescription, or by submitting a handwritten request. Please place this in the red prescription box in reception.

          You may be able to ask your pharmacist to request a prescription on your behalf

Please note we are unable to take repeat prescription requests over the telephone. 

Please allow at least 5 working days for the practice to process your prescription request. 

You will need an annual medication review if you are on long term medication. You may be invited in for an appointment or telephone consultation for a review with a clinician or clinical pharmacist, or the review may be conducted virtually without you being present. You may receive a text message asking you to complete a health questionnaire prior to a review.

Some medications require annual blood tests, or regular monitoring such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and weight. Please respond to any text messages from The Elms Medical Practice with requests to have annual blood tests or monitoring. We may not be able to issue prescriptions where monitoring is not up to date.

Your annual medication review date – and number of authorised repeat prescriptions left to issue – is listed on your NHS app and paper repeat prescriptions.

A prescription charge of £9.90 per item is payable upon collecting your prescribed medication from a pharmacy. This is applicable in England only.

In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for an exemption from prescription charges. Your pharmacist will give advice on this when you collect your prescription.

If you need to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 14 items in 12 months, then you may find it cheaper to buy a prepayment certificate (PPC). Your pharmacist may give advice on this (Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030).

There is further information about prescription exemptions, fees and pre-payment certificates on the NHS website.

Your consultant may recommend a new medication for you, in which case they will need to organise the first prescription for you. Please visit the hospital pharmacy to collect this prescription, or follow the instructions given to you by your consultant.

Please note that for private prescriptions, you will need to pay the full cost of the medication.

Please do not hand in hospital or private prescriptions to us expecting this to be transferred to an NHS GP prescription.

Your consultant may write to your GP asking for us to take over prescribing going forward. We can usually do this, provided the medication is listed on our local prescribing formulary as appropriate for a GP to prescribe. We will need a written clinic letter from the specialist before prescribing. We cannot take over prescribing before the letter arrives.

If a medication is not listed on our local formulary, then where possible we may offer a suitable alternative. If we cannot prescribe then we will notify you that the specialist needs to retain responsibility for prescribing the medication.

Please note that our prescribing is regularly audited by the Hertfordshire & West Essex ICB and we must follow guidance set out in the local prescribing formulary. Please see more information here (Prescribing, Policies and Pathways).

Diazepam/Sedatives:

·         If you are having a procedure and think you many need a sedative, please discuss this with the professional responsible for the procedure.

·         We cannot prescribe sedatives for fear of flying.

Dental Problems:

·         any prescription for a dental problem needs to be organised by a qualified dentist

Over-the-counter medications and other considerations:

Many medications are available to buy over the counter (for example medication for hay fever, common cold remedies, pain relief, and minor skin complaints). Please purchase these directly from a pharmacy or supermarket, rather than requesting an NHS prescription. A pharmacist can give advice upon this where needed.

IF YOU RUN OUT OF MEDICATION:

• Please ensure you always have sufficient medication to last over the weekend and public holidays when the surgery is closed.  

• Unfortunately, a small minority of patients are repeatedly running out (or just about to run out) of their medication. Urgent requests of this nature cause disruption and may be refused by the GP. 

IF YOU FORGET TO REQUEST A REPEAT PRESCRIPTION 

• If you run out of medication and need it urgently, you may be able to get help from your Pharmacy. Under the Urgent Provision of Repeat Medication Service, Pharmacists may be able to supply you with a further cycle of a previously repeated medicine, without having to get a prescription from your GP. Telephone your usual Pharmacy to check that they offer this service; if they don’t, they may either direct you to another Pharmacy who does provide it or ask you to phone 111 where you can request details of a local Pharmacy that provides the service. 

• You must then take with you to the relevant Pharmacy, proof of both your identification and of your medication (for example, your repeat prescription list or the empty box which should have your details printed on it). Please note that controlled drugs and antibiotics are not provided through this service, you will need to ring 111 for these. 

WHAT TO DO WITH OLD MEDICINES:

• Please take unwanted medicines to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not put them in your household bin. For collection of used sharps boxes and clinical waste, please telephone 01727 809019. 

• Please let us know if there are medications listed on your repeat prescriptions which you no longer use.
• Medications that have not been requested within a 12-month period may be removed from your repeat prescription for safety purposes. Please contact us if you notice an item is missing.