Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:
- By Hand – drop your repeat prescription request sheet (which you’ll find attached to your prescription) in at reception.
- By Post – send it in to us with a stamped addressed envelope if you want us to post it back to you.
- Online – email it to us at G82180.surgery@nhs.net or register for online patient access, (in order to sign up to this, you will need to contact the reception team for an access code).
- Please allow 72 hours between requesting and collecting your prescription.
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone.
Reception Opening Times
– Upchurch Surgery: Monday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm; Wednesday, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm & Thursday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 5 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:
- on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
- at your GP practice
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
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.
Position Statement on mixing private and NHS treatment.
To make sure that the NHS remains free at the point of delivery and access to NHS services is based on clinical need, but not an individual’s ability to pay, guidance states that the NHS should never subsidise private care with public money.
This position statement has been produced to make it clear that “co-funding”, which is when both private and NHS funding is used for a single episode of care, is not permitted under NHS rules. Any additional private care must be delivered separately from NHS care. In line with NHS guidance, NHS Kent and Medway only supports shared care to be undertaken with an NHS commissioned provider providing an NHS service.
This means, for instance, that all patients who receive a private assessment or diagnosis for a condition that results in needing a prescription for ongoing medication will need to be referred into an NHS commissioned service for ongoing prescribing to continue within the NHS.
If a patient seeks assessment or diagnosis privately or through a provider acting in a private capacity (non-NHS) the GP is under no obligation to continue to prescribe treatment.
Here is some further guidance: If I pay for private treatment, how will my NHS care be affected?
Medication reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to have a review with either a doctor, pharmacist, nurse practitioner or practice nurse in a face to face appointment or over the telephone at least once a year to ensure its ongoing safety and efficacy. The surgery will advise you of the most appropriate clinician to conduct this review, depending on the type and number of medications you take.
Prescription requests may be refused if you have not responded to our requests for a medication review or other tests/investigations that are needed to ensure their ongoing safety and efficacy.
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.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)
Instead of collecting your prescription from the surgery, you can nominate a pharmacy.
Repeat Dispensing
For patients on stable repeat prescriptions, a “batch” of prescriptions, (usually 6 month’s worth), can be issued to a nominated chemist. This reduces the administration required every month in requesting and producing repeat prescriptions.