Non-urgent advice: Patient Notice
Until further notice repeat prescriptions can only be ordered by posting the request in the letter box outside the surgery, by your nominated pharmacy ordering them on your behalf, or by emailing your request to: [email protected]
If you haven’t already done so, you need to nominate a pharmacy for us to send the prescription to, as you will not be able to pick it up from the surgery.
Repeat prescriptions are medications which appear on the reverse of your prescription which your doctor would like you to continue on a regular basis.
Please be aware that The Practice and Bromley CCG often review medications and make changes to the brands you are prescribed; this is based on the quality and the availability, you and your pharmacy will be informed via your prescription of any changes made.
How to Request a Repeat Prescription
Repeat prescriptions may be ordered in several ways:
Online
You can order your repeat prescriptions via NHS App or Patient Access on a computer, iPad or a phone app. The surgery will give you a log in and password to access this.
NHS App
Patient Access
In Person
Fill in a prescription request form or underline the items needed on the tear-off side of your prescription and drop it into the surgery. Please do not order any medications you do not need.
Post
If a stamped addressed envelope is supplied, your prescription can be returned via Royal Mail. Find our postal address.
Electronic Prescription Service
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service that gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the place you choose to get your medicines or appliances from.
What does this mean for you?
If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, saving you time.
You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.
You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be time for your repeat prescriptions to be ready before you arrive.
Is this service right for you?
Yes, if you have a stable condition and you: don’t want to go to your GP practice every time to collect your repeat prescription. collect your medicines from the same place most of the time or use a prescription collection service now.
It may not be if you: don’t get prescriptions very often. pick up your medicines from different places.
How can you use EPS?
You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to, this is called nomination; you can choose: a pharmacy. a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one). your dispensing GP practice (if you are eligible).
Ask any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS or your GP practice to add your nomination for you. You don’t need a computer to do this.
Can I change my nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription?
Yes you can: If you don’t want your prescription to be sent electronically tell your GP.
If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or your GP practice; tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.
Is EPS reliable, secure and confidential?
Yes; your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.
Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser; for example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser.
Dispensers will also see all the items on your reorder slip if you are on repeat prescriptions.
Treating Minor Conditions at your Pharmacy
From FEBRUARY 2024 patients can pop down to their local pharmacy for help with seven minor conditions which would previously have required a GP appointment.
Pharmacists can provide advice and, if clinically necessary, will offer an NHS medicine to treat it (NHS prescription charges will apply if you normally pay for medicines).
A Pharmacist can assist with the following conditions:
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Shingles
- Earache
- Sinusitis
- Infected Insect Bites
- Impetigo
- Sore Throat
Prescription Costs
Prescription charges are as follows:
- Prescription (per item): £8.60
- 3-month PPC: £29.10
- 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00
If you pay for prescription items frequently, you may find it cheaper to buy a prepayment certificate, you can do this by visiting here.
Private Prescriptions
A private prescription can only be issued if the medication is not available on the NHS; the prescription is not paid for by the NHS and the cost is paid for by the patient.
It is charged by the cost of the medicine and the pharmacists charge for supplying it.
Please note a prescription is a legal document which the doctor who has signed it is responsible.
Doctors who are seen privately cannot issue NHS prescriptions.
Prescriptions for Over-the-counter Medicines
- You can buy over-the-counter medicines in pharmacies, supermarkets and some high street shops.
- GPs, nurses and pharmacists will not generally give you a prescription for over-the-counter medicines.
- Your local pharmacy offers help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns. If your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they will help you get the care you need.
Please help the NHS to use resources sensibly.
This advice is in line with national guidance from NHS England.
Further information: