How to order a repeat prescription – NHS

Not registered for the NHS App? Use the form below to request your medication online.

Repeat Prescription Request Process

To help us process your prescriptions safely and efficiently, please read the following information carefully.

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Processing Times

• Please allow 7 days for your prescription to be ready.
  This is from the time your request is received by the surgery to when it is ready for collection from your nominated chemist.
• Please do not contact the surgery to chase prescriptions.
  Instead, set up the text message service at your pharmacy so they can notify you when your medication is ready.
• Please do not leave yourself with less than one week’s supply of medication before ordering.
• Please allow extra time around bank holidays, as both the surgery and pharmacies are extremely busy.
• Sometimes pharmacies have to order in medication due to manufacturer delays, which may increase waiting times.
• You do not need a paper prescription.
  We can send you a barcode number by text message, which any pharmacy can use to download your prescription securely from the NHS Spine.

Under exceptional circumstances, we will try to help with urgent requests, but it is your responsibility to request your medication in plenty of time.

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Urgent Repeat Prescription Requests

• Requests made with less than 48 hours’ notice will be reviewed by a clinician.
• The clinician will decide whether your prescription needs to be issued urgently or whether it can be processed within our normal processing times.

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How Often We Prescribe

• We normally issue 2 months of medication at a time.
• HRT and thyroxine may be issued 3-monthly.
• Controlled drugs can only be prescribed every 28 days.

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Contraception Prescriptions

• Contraception can often be prescribed for longer periods than standard repeat medication.
• Many contraceptive medicines are now also available directly from your local pharmacy without needing to see a GP.

Using the NHS App

• Repeat medications will only appear on the NHS App when they are due and orderable.
• If it is too early to order (usually more than about 2 weeks before due), the medication will not appear on the app.
• Some medications will never appear as repeat items and must be ordered monthly (for example short-term or safety-monitored medicines such as prednisolone).

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Going Away

• If you are travelling, you may request medication early; however, NHS prescriptions are usually limited to a maximum of 3 months.
• If you will be away for longer than this, you are expected to make alternative arrangements for your medication while you are away.

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Medication Reviews

• We usually review medication in your birthday month (with some exceptions).
• Reviews are generally done by our in house pharmacist
• You will be contacted if an appointment is required or if we require any further tests such as BPs, Bloods, weight etc
• If you would like to discuss your medication, you can book an appointment via reception.

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Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines

Some medications are not routinely prescribed on the NHS, even if you do not pay for prescriptions.
Common examples include (but are not limited to):

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Antihistamines
• Dry-eye drops
• Similar pharmacy-available treatments

Requesting these unnecessarily wastes valuable clinical time.

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Private Medications

If you are taking privately supplied medications (for example hormones or weight-loss injections), you must notify us in writing of:

• Medication name
• Dose
• Frequency

Failure to update us can affect your safety and our ability to provide care.

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If You Don’t Have Internet Access

• You can hand your request into the surgery or send it by post.
• If this is not possible, please contact the practice to discuss alternative options.

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Can Someone Drop My Request Off?

Yes. A friend, relative or carer may hand in your repeat prescription request on your behalf.

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Thank you for helping us to provide a safe and efficient service to all our patients.