About Prescriptions

There are 2 types of prescription, acute and repeat.

Acute prescriptions are issued at the time you see the doctor. Usually these are given for a short treatment or when we are starting a new treatment. For a new treatment the doctor may wish to see you again to assess your progress before converting the medicine to a regular/repeat one.

Repeat prescriptions - If you are taking regular medication your doctor may decide that you can obtain a repeat prescription through the receptionist.

How to order your medication:

Please allow 2 working days for your prescription to be ready for collection at the surgery. Repeat prescriptions sent to the local pharmacy of your choice will take 3 working days to be dispensed ready for you to collect your medication.  There are 4 different ways to order your medication:

Paper requests - you can call at the surgery with your prescription counterfoil to order your computerised repeat items.  Alternatively you can complete a request form for any items you may need, but these items must have been prescribed previously to you and will only be issued at the doctor's discretion.

Postal request - if you find it difficult to call at the surgery to request or collect your prescription, we are happy to deal with postal requests;  Please enclose a stamped, addressed envelope if you need the prescription posted back to you.

Telephone requests - you may also request the repeat items on your computerised prescription counterfoil by telephone.  You will need to quote your patient number (which is on the top of the counterfoil next to your doctor's name) when you order.  Again, if you wish you can request that the prescription is sent direct to the local pharmacy.  The telephone service for requesting only computerised repeat prescriptions is available by ringing 845211 Monday to Friday 9.30 am - 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm.  Please note this service is very popular and can by very busy at peak times. 

Fax requests

Repeat prescription requests may be faxed through on 01752 844651

On-line requests - this is a new service.  By registering your e-mail address at the surgery you will be sent an e-mail which allows you to link into the Waiting-Room.Net.  Once registered you will be issued with a unique password which will enable you to access your repeat medication; there is also a comment box for you to complete if you wish to have your medication sent to a local pharmacy.  You will need to continue to order acute items either by telephone or by paper request at the surgery.   If you wish to sign up to use this service then you will need to attend the surgery to sign a consent form - you will also need to provide proof of your identity.   Prescriptions ordered on-line will take 3 working days.  Pick up a leaflet from reception.

(Follow the link at the top of this page to order online once you have registered to use this service at the Health Centre)

When ordering repeat prescriptions, please follow these simple rules:

• Only order what you need and not all the items on the list.
• If your items run out at different times of the month, ask if it could be arranged that all items run out together.
• Please tell us if anything has changed, e.g., you have stopped taking any of the medicines or other items on the list.
• It is important to get your prescription right and sometimes prescriptions may take longer if things need to be checked for your safety.

Please only order what you need each time you order a repeat prescription

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.  Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

Stockpiling medicines at home:-

Ordering more than you need can lead to your medicine cabinet bursting at the seams! It is important that you do not let this happen because:

• It can lead to confusion and mistakes if medicines and/or instructions are changed
• Medicines can go out of date and become dangerous or ineffective to use
• They can be dangerous if they get into the wrong hands
• Hundreds of millions of pounds-worth of unused medicines are destroyed every year

Please do not over-order and stockpile medicines - it can be dangerous for you and others, and is wasteful.

Getting rid of unused/unwanted medicines

• If you have a lot of medicines at home, it’s a good idea to have a sort through them
• Take anything you don’t need back to your local chemist for safe destruction. (None can be reused)
• Remember that your local chemist may be able to help you if you ask

Please return unused/unwanted medicines to your pharmacy for safe disposal. Checks on your medicines once items are put on repeat prescription, you will still need regular checks.

The following are examples of why medicines need to be checked or changed:

• Your condition might have changed and your medicines may need altering.
• You may need certain tests to check that your medicines are working and that they are not causing problems.
• Different medicines may become available which will suit you better.
• Research may have found a better way of treating your condition.
• A more cost effective medicine may have become available.

A regular review of your repeat medications is essential and helps you to get the best out of them

Are more expensive medicines better?

• Brand-named drugs are more expensive for medicines just like for clothes and food. The actual medicines in them are exactly the same and do the same job. (NB: a small number of medicines need to be prescribed by brand for clinical reasons.)
• Your doctor may change your medicines to make sure that we have better value for our NHS (pound for pound)
• The quality of your medicines is the same and you will always get the medicines that you need
• Remember that you can help by not over-ordering and wasting medicines.
• More expensive medicines are no better than cheaper alternatives. Money saved goes back to the NHS, so that more people can be treated.

Remember that your medicines are only for you. Your medicines were especially chosen to suit your needs. Sharing medicines with friends and family can be very dangerous.

Do not share your medicines with others - you may be putting them at risk Knowing your medicines and how to take them It is important that you, or someone who helps you knows your medicines so that you can get the best out of them.

Make sure you know:

• The names of your medicines and what they are for
• When and how to take them
• Which ones are essential and which ones you can take only when you need them
• Possible side-effects to look out for
• What effects any other medicines you buy may have on your prescribed medicines How to get information about your medicines
• Remember always to read the information leaflet you get with your medicine
• Books and the Internet are other places where you can get information about medicines
• To help you to make sense of this information, or alternatively, as a good place to start, you could ask the advice of your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. If you are unsure about your medicines, please ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice

Medicines aren’t always the answer

• Medicines are not always the best treatment, for example, antibiotics don’t work for viral infections
• Many people can avoid medicines by making changes in their lifestyle such as stopping smoking, losing weight, and taking exercise.
• Medicines can be important in helping us to look after our health, but they do not come without their problems, so only take what you really need. Look after your health as best you can in all ways. Respect the medicines which you need to take and avoid medicines that you do not need.

Electronic Prescribing

The NHS is introducing an Electronic Prescription Service.  In time, this service will allow your prescription to be sent electronically from your GP to the pharmacy of your choice.   This will mean improved service, convenience and accuracy.  The service is being introduced in two stages. 

Saltash Health Centre is in the process of introducing the first stage which means you will still receive a paper prescription in the way you do now.  The only change you will see will be that your prescription will have a barcode and some numbers down the right hand side.  These provide a unique reference for your prescription but they don't hold any personal information about you.  They are only there to help the pharmacist dispense the items on your prescription more easily.  The new service will be more accurate, as the prescription information won't have to be re-typed into the computer at the pharmacy.  

We will let you know when we are moving to the second stage of the service which means we would be able to send your prescription to a pharmacy of your choice electronically, so you won't need a paper prescription at all - unless you want to have one.