How to order a repeat prescription

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered 3 different ways:

1. Online : NHS App or Patient Access (You will need to sign in on the App to use this service)
This is the fastest method (once medication reviews up to date) as it gets directly into the GP computer system

2. Via Pharmacist (Not including Boots Ascot who no longer offer this service.) 

This route depends on date requests are transferred from the Pharmacist to the surgery and time taken to transcribe onto the GP computer system

3. Written request submitted to the practice
Additional time required to transcribe accurately onto the GP computer system and this varies with volume received

How to order a repeat prescription

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered 3 different ways:

1. Online : NHS App or Patient Access (You will need to sign in on the App to use this service)
This is the fastest method (once medication reviews up to date) as it gets directly into the GP computer system

2. Via Pharmacist (Not including Boots Ascot who no longer offer this service.) 

This route depends on date requests are transferred from the Pharmacist to the surgery and time taken to transcribe onto the GP computer system

3. Written request submitted to the practice
Additional time required to transcribe accurately onto the GP computer system and this varies with volume received

Frequently Asked Questions concerning your Prescription

Please note that due to the current coronavirus pandemic we will not be issuing early, extra or additional prescriptions in line with local guidance and advice. We are also strongly encouraging the use of Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) for all our prescriptions and ordering via our online service providers to help reduce the risk of handling paper prescriptions.

Please check at reception, your local pharmacy or NHS website for further details.

The best way to request a repeat prescription is Online. Our Online Services can help you request repeat medication at your convenience with automated delivery of your prescription to your preferred pharmacy.

If you have Online Services account, please login to request a repeat prescription. If you do not yet have an online account, please register using one of the services below.

Please check this video if you are new to Patient Access.

Note: The NHS App allows you to get registered without the need to visit the practice

Patient Access

Patient Access

Register

Sign In

Frequently Asked Questions about Prescriptions

When should I put in my repeat prescription request?

When you have only one week’s supply of tablets left.
Please allow up to 4 working days for us to process this request.

I am going away and will run out of medication before I return, can I request my repeat prescription early?

Yes, you can put in your request earlier than usual however, add a note to your request to say why you are requesting your prescription early.

Why don’t you take prescriptions over the telephone?

For Medico-Legal reasons and to avoid errors, telephone requests are not accepted.
We strongly encourage you to gain online access by using the NHS App or Patient Access Online which can be easily downloaded. We also encourage those who do not want to request online, to continue to request medication using paper requests or ask their nominated Pharmacy make requests on their behalf, ensuring all required medications are requested to avoid delays.

I have lost my prescription computer print-out, what should I do?

No problem! Please drop a piece of paper into the Surgery or in the AMC prescription box outside Brook House Surgery with your name, address, D.O.B., your doctor’s name, and the medication you need. Alternatively, you can use one of the slips available in reception. Upon collecting your medication, the Pharmacy will include an updated list which can be used to request your next prescription.

Will you post my prescription to me?

Yes of course. We will need a stamped addressed envelope to do so. If you do not give us this, we will keep your prescription at the Surgery for you to collect however, most patients now have their prescriptions sent securely electronically to their nominated Pharmacy to be collected directly from the Pharmacy with no need for a paper script.

Can you send my prescription to any Pharmacy?

Yes, we can send a prescription electronically to any Pharmacy in England if you have signed up for this service. Almost all of our patients use this facility now. Simply give consent to your regular Pharmacy to set this up for you.

I have run out of tablets and need some urgently, what should I do?

If the Surgery is closed, please go to your usual Pharmacy with your empty medicine bottle or box and explain the situation to them. They may issue you just enough tablets for you to get by for the time being, depending on the medication or request via Patient access Online. When the Surgery is open again, please drop in your repeat prescription request as normal and this will be sent to your usual Pharmacy.

What if my Surgery & Pharmacy are closed and I need an urgent prescription?

Please call 111 or go to NHS 111 online for all emergency medication requests if it cannot wait until the Surgery re-opens.

I no longer take some of the tablets that are still on the computer print-out, what should I do?

Please inform the GP if you no longer take any medication listed on your repeat prescription so that we can update our records. Every patient on repeat medication will be invited for a review during their month of birth. This includes a medication review.
Alternatively, you can book a medication review with our clinical Pharmacist if a change has occurred before or after your month of birth review has occurred.

Some of my medicines seem to have changed name, why is this?

Many medicines have “trade” names and “generic” names – E.G. Ventolin versus Salbutamol inhalers. Medically there is no difference between the trade medicine and generic medicine, the active ingredient remains the same. Sometimes, due to National stock shortages or if in line with NHS England prescribing guidelines, we may be prompted to prescribe generic medications.

What are prescription & dispensing tokens?

Paper copies of electronic prescriptions are called tokens. They act as a hard copy of the details contained within an electronic prescription. The token contains a unique barcode which can be scanned at any pharmacy in England to download the prescription from the NHS Spine.

Can I request medication through Patient Access?

Yes. However, you can only access medication that is currently part of your treatment plan this way via this route. Any medication that has been used in the past but is no longer part of your current treatment or is a new medication, cannot be requested using Patient access or the NHS App.

Can I request medication that has not been authorised as repeat medication (Acute)?

No, only repeat medication can be requested via Patient Access. Any medication that is not authorised as “repeat” must be requested by contacting the Surgery, this is best done via the E-Consultation online request.

When will medication not be put on repeat or taken off repeat prescription?

A) It is not always appropriate to put on or to continue a medication on repeat prescription. This may occur if:

  • The medication is a short course of medicine for an acute problem, I.E., antibiotics for acute infections.
  • Medications that are changing or we are adjusting the doses for.
  • When a review is needed or overdue: Your doctor may stop your medication if it is considered unsafe to prescribe before a clinical review is completed. This is to ensure that your medication is correct and at the right dose and all the necessary monitoring tests are up to date.

How do I get more medication that the hospital has recommended?

If your medication has been changed by the hospital, you should have been given up to 14 days supply of your new medication by them.
If the hospital has given you a letter for the Surgery, please let us have this as soon as possible as it will contain the information we need to alter your repeat prescription. If you have not been provided with enough medication from the hospital, please let the Surgery know as soon as possible.

Will you prescribe my private prescription?

As an NHS provider, our responsibility is to provide NHS care. Once a medication is started and stabilised, then we can take over prescribing if this is something we can do on the NHS, provided it is safe to do so. We will not be able to provide any private treatment that is not on the Frimley formulary for prescribing in primary care in the NHS.

Can I get more than 2 months supply of medication?

As a Surgery policy we issue 2 months supply to prevent wastage if there are changes to your medication. Under exceptional circumstances and, where safe to do so the clinician, will consider quantities on an individual basis.