Prescriptions

The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is:

• using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)

This account shows you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

• bring/post the paper form to either surgery, during opening hours

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.

If you are elderly or housebound and need further assistance please contact the surgery on 01379 586456.

Repeat prescriptions are dispensed at Fressingfield Medical Centre. They can be collected at Fressingfield and Stradbroke Surgeries during surgery hours only. Please make clear as to when and where you wish to collect your medication on the repeat slip provided.

You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 4 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.

Anyone living within a mile of a chemist (for example Harleston patients) will have to have their prescriptions dispensed by any chemist that is convenient for them. 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

If you are a dispensing patient it means that your prescriptions can be dispensed at the surgery - a dispensing patient is someone who lives more than a mile away from the nearest chemist. The practice has two fully staffed dispensaries at Fressingfield and Stradbroke that are open during the surgery opening hours.

It is long term, regular medication prescribed by your doctor; as such it will be added to your prescription slip and monitored on a regular basis by your doctor or a nurse. Any other medication prescribed for acute problems CANNOT be prescribed on the same basis.

If the medication that you are requesting is not on your repeat prescription slip, then the dispensers will not be able to issue it, until you have been seen by a doctor.

A hospital script can only be dispensed after the doctor has checked it providing it is for medication that he feels he can take responsibility for.

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.

• Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

• contact the practice after 11am. Medical enquiries will be passed to the doctor who deals with your medication.
• our dispensers are only too happy to help with non-medical enquiries, relating to your prescriptions. Please note the dispensary at Fressingfield is closed between 1pm and 3pm. The dispensary at Stradbroke is open during the opening hours of Stradbroke Medical Centre.

If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

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.

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.

• Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

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.