Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:
- 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.
You can also:
- bring the paper form to the surgery, when we are open
- post the request form to us
- hand to the dispensary team
We do not take repeat prescription requests over email.
Dispensing practice
We are a dispensing practice. This means that we can dispense medication prescribed by the doctor to most of our patients.
If you live in a rural area and your residence is more than a mile (as the crow flies) from a pharmacy, then you can be a ‘dispensing patient’.
If you live within a mile of a community pharmacy, then West Meon Surgery are not permitted to dispense to you. You are a ‘non dispensing’ patient.
Collecting your prescription
If we dispense medication to you, please allow 2 working days from ordering it before you collect from West Meon Surgery’s dispensary. Please check the opening times of our dispensary as these are different from those of our reception. Medication will not be “left out” for collection if the dispensary is closed.
If you are a ‘non dispensing’ patient, or you prefer to use a different dispensary to West Meon Surgery, we send your prescription electronically to a pharmacy you have chosen. We call this nominating a pharmacy. The pharmacy you nominate may require longer to prepare your medication for dispensing, so it is worth checking this with them.
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, a local pharmacist 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, please telephone West Meon Surgery after 10am. If you are having a reaction a
Medication reviews
If you have a repeat prescription, you must have your medication reviewed by a GP every 6 or 12 months, depending upon the medication prescribed to you. The aim of the medication review is to check that you are prescribed the most appropriate medicines and that you get the most benefits out of those medicines. During the medication review, all aspects of you health will be considered. The GP will ensure the potential for harm outweighs any benefits from the medicines you take and that you fully understand the implications of the medication regime you take. This includes:
- medicines that are no longer clinically indicated or appropriate or optimised for you
- combination of multiple medicines has the potential to, or is actually causing harm to you
- practicalities of using the medicines if they become unmanageable or are causing harm or distress
When you receive the 6/6 issue of your medication, the dispenser will mark the prescription boxes and bag they are contained within with a red star.
- When you collect your medication, you will be informed that you need to book a medication review in the next 4 weeks and that this must have taken place before you are dispensed with further medication.
- If you fail to book a medication review an emergency prescription is made up and you will be advised by the dispenser that it is essential they book a medication review as you will not get any more medication until a review takes place.
- If you still fail to book an appointment and run out of medication, then no further issue is to be made until an appointment for a medication review is booked.
- You will then receive a final prescription that will give you adequate medication to take you to the date of your appointment plus 48 hours.
- Following your medication review, the GP will reauthorise your medication and the dispensary can then issue further medication for you to collect.
Find out about prescription charges
Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).
What to do with old medicines
For medicines dispensed by West Meon Surgery, you may return to us when you no longer need them. However, medicines from other dispensaries must be taken to the pharmacy you got them from or a your local community pharmacy. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.
About pharmacists
As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can give you advice on a range of conditions and suggest medicines that can help.
They may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First). Conditions they can treat as part of Pharmacy First are:
- Earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other healthcare professional if needed.
They will then update your GP health record.
If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.
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.
