Prescriptions

Ordering repeat medications

The Chipping Surgery does not accept requests for repeat medications via the telephone. For further information click here Changes to ordering repeat prescriptions. Please order your repeat medications:-

• using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
• using the GP online system: SystmOne Online
• fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
• bringing your slip to the surgery
• via post

28-day repeat prescribing

At The Chipping Surgery, in line with other practices throughout Gloucestershire, we operate 28-day prescribing. This means that if you are taking 2 tablets a day you will receive 56 tablets, three tablets a day 84 tablets, four tablets a day 112 tablets etc.

What are the benefits of 28-day prescribing?

Most patients should only have to visit the pharmacy once a month to collect all their repeat medicines. We aim to bring all your medications in line such that you only need to order, and therefore collect, your repeat medications once a month. If this is not the case for you, please call the Dispensary and they will endeavour to help with this. 

Patients will start, (and finish) their container of medicine on the same day of the week. This will reduce the number of emergency requests from patients running out of medicine during a weekend.

It will be easier for the doctor to review all of the repeat medicines each patient is taking and also easier for the doctor to see if a patient is not taking any of their medicines.

It will reduce the number of mistakes made by elderly patients when they take their medicine, as patients will be less likely to have multiple partly filled containers at home.

It will reduce the amount of medications you have at home. Medicines can be dangerous if taken by people that they are not intended for, and safe storage can be a problem with large amounts of medicines. If large quantities are issued, they may go out of date before they are needed and may not work properly.

Companies already manufacture medicines in 28-day calendar packs. These packs have patient information leaflets inside and ideally should not be broken into. The Government is encouraging companies to manufacture more medicines in these types of pack.

It will reduce waste. Around one third of all medicines dispensed are not used. Waste can occur because treatments are stopped, changed or ordered by mistake. If larger amounts are given out each time, the amounts wasted are greater. More information about medicine waste can be found below.

Please help us to avoid medicine waste – only order what you need!

Approximately 1.4 million medicine items are wasted unnecessarily in Gloucestershire each year. We need your help to reduce this. You can read more about medicines waste on the One Gloucestershire website.

Dispensing

Due to dispensing restrictions regrettably we can only dispense to patients who live 1 mile from the nearest pharmacy. For the convenience of patients who live in rural locations we deliver to the following sites:

• Tuesday: The Spar Shop – Kingswood
  The Village Shop – Hawkesbury Upton
• Wednesday: The Village Shop – Cromhall
  Coffee Shop – Wickwar
  Manor Lane Post Office – Charfield

Collecting your Prescription – Dispensing Patients

Collecting your Prescription – Non-Dispensing Patients

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy. Your prescription will be sent directly to your nominated Pharmacy via electronic prescription. Please let us know if you would like to collect the paper prescription from the Surgery instead.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

• on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
• fill out a nominate a pharmacy or other dispenser form
• at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

Over the counter medicines

The prescribing of over the counter medicines is changing. Please click on the link to see further information.

Over the counter medicines

Questions about your prescription

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:

• fill out an ask a prescription question form

Medication reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your last repeat prescription slip.

Patients with long term conditions will have a medication review as part of their full annual review in the month of their birth. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

Prescription charges

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

What to do with old medicines

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.

About pharmacists

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 room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.