Repeat Prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions are drugs that your doctor has marked as "repeatable". Many prescriptions are "Acute" prescriptions and these are ONE OFF courses. However some conditions require medication to be taken regularly for long periods of time (or permanently) and these are the sorts of drugs which would be put on a "Repeat".
In order for repeat prescribing to be safe and as trouble free as possible, we have to stick to a few "rules". We do not allow repeat ordering of "Acute" prescriptions. If you have been given an acute prescription and the problem has not resolved then you will need to see a clinician again as the medication may need to be changed.
A list of Repeat prescriptions is printed out on the right hand side of the prescription form. The green side is the legal prescription, the white side is used by us to list your repeatable prescriptions. keep this sheet for future reference. Always keep the latest one issued as this is the one that is up to date.
Underneath your repeat prescriptions is a "Review date". This is the date that your doctor wants to to come back to the surgery for a review. Keep an eye on this date as it may change - for instance new evidence may emerge that requries us to change your medication.
Please note that our staff will go by what is listed as repeatable in your medical records - this list may change for a host of reasons between issues of your medication. So our records are the what we go by.
Ordering a repeat
There are several ways to order a repeat prescription and they are listed here.
When you order a repeat prescription order online, we need to know the name(s) or description of the drugs you require, their quantities and their strength. |
You can find this information by checking the paper form you received with your original prescription form as shown in the example below.
Equally important is the name of the Doctor you usually see. Other form requirements such as name, date of birth, etc are self explanatory.
If you do not have an original form to use for your repeat prescription then please contact the surgery for advice (click on the form below to display a sample copy).
When we receive a repeat request, the repeat prescriptions clerk check that the drug is a repeat, the review date has not passed and that the frequncy of ordering is in line with what we expect. If these parameters are correct then the rpecription is printed and passed for signing by your USUAL doctor, or in his or her absence, one of the other doctors. This process usually takes no more than 2 working days. The script can then go to the pharmacist or dispensary for issuing.
If there is a problem with the request then a query has to be raised with the responsible doctor who may or may not pass the repeat for issing. This process can take longer than 2 working days depending on what the problem is.
REVIEW DATES ARE IMPORTANT and expired review dates are one of the commonest reasons for prescription delays.
Ordering too early is sometime sa problem - if you have a legitimate reason, eg going on holiday, then let the repeat prescription clerk know when you order.
Finally: register for On-line ordering as you can book appointments here, tell us of change of address or telephone numbers, order repeat prescriptions and view your medical record. The repeat prescriptions shown on line are real time views onto your medical record and ordering is just a few clicks |
