Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions is online:
- using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
- using the GP online system: Patient Access
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need. The NHS App also tells you when your prescription has been processed by the GP and is ready to collect from your chosen pharmacy.
You can also:
- fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
- bring the paper form to the surgery, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6.00pm
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.
If you order online you’ll be notified when your prescription request has been processed and sent to your pharmacy.
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
It may take longer to process your prescription if…
- Your medication review date has passed as you may need to see a doctor first
- An item or a note is added to the request
- The request is from a hospital
- The request is particularly complex
Emergency Medication
Please note, your community pharmacist is able to issue a prescription for 3 days of medicine in an emergency.
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.
If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:
- phone the practice after 10am on 0161 983 5800
- fill in our online query form
Medication reviews
If you take repeat medication, it’s important to review your medication regularly to make sure it is appropriate, effective and safe for you.
By having medication reviews we can help make sure you are benefiting well from your medicine.
We will be in touch when you need to 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.
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.
Controlled drugs
A controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by the government because of the potential for abuse or addiction. Such drugs include those classified as narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and cannabis. A list of the most commonly encountered controlled drugs can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/controlled-drugs-list–2
Many of our patients require strong, potentially addictive medication to help manage their condition(s). Of concern are ‘drugs of dependence’ (e.g. opioid medications and benzodiazepines), particularly when these are prescribed on an on-going basis. Due to long-term use of these medications carrying numerous risks and increasing reports of abuse of prescription drugs and patient behavioral problems, Archwood Medical Practice has reviewed the the way in which we prescribe and monitor these medications in line with national guidance. We have established a policy to ensure adequate treatment of your condition, while reducing the risk of problems with drug prescriptions.
New patients:
- It is now routine practice that we will not issue these medications on repeat prescription.
- If you are currently prescribed these medications, they will be reviewed regularly at an appointment with the GP either at the practice or via telephone. The length of time between reviews will be arranged at these appointments. Regular trial of reduction of these medications is routine practice.
- If you register with the practice and are currently prescribing of these medications, you will be asked to arrange an appointment in surgery with GP to look at how these may be reduced over time and to set out arrangements for review.
- It may be that these medications are issued for a weekly fortnightly on monthly basis at the discretion of the reviewing GP.
- It is the responsibility of the patient to ensure medications are stored safely. If misplaced damaged or stolen a replacement supply will not be provided earlier than the due date of the original prescription.
- It will not be possible to have medications issued early with our prior discussion with GP.
- If there are ongoing issues or concerns relating to the safety of prescribing these medications the patient may be asked to seek review from community addiction services to aid with ongoing management.
- It may take time to get accurate medical information about your condition. Until such information is available, your GP may choose not to prescribe any medication. It is our policy that GPs do not prescribe drugs of dependence until they have a full clinical picture.
- Patients are reminded that we have a zero tolerance on issues relating to staff abuse.
Fear of Flying
The practice no longer provides Diazepam or similar drugs for flight anxiety. We have several reasons why we have taken this decision:
- Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy, more relaxed and can significantly delay your reaction times. If there is an emergency during the flight it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation.
- Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however this is a unnatural (non-REM) sleep which means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. There is concern that this can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung which can be dangerous. This risk is greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours.
- Whilst most people find sedative medications like diazepam have a relaxing effect, a small number of people can feel more agitated or even aggressive after taking it. Diazepam can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally.
- Diazepam and similar drugs are illegal in several countries. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police if you are carrying any on arrival.
- Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing you may fail this having taken diazepam.
- Prescribing guidelines doctors follow, don’t recommend using medications like diazepam in phobias.
We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. A lower risk approach is to tackle this properly and hopefully permanently, with a Fear of Flying course run by airlines:
Easy Jet www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
Tel: 0203 8131644
British Airways http://flyingwithconfidence.com/courses/venues
Tel: 01252 793 2502
Virgin Atlantic https://flyingwithoutfear.co.uk/collections
Tel: 01423 714900 1252250