Repeat prescriptions will be ready in 72 working hours from your request. Please note if your prescription request is NOT on your repeat prescription (also known as acute medication) your request will take longer to process and the doctor may wish to speak with you. Delays may also occur if your medication request is different from what your doctor has prescribed for you.
We recommend putting your request in 7 days before you are due to run out. This allows us to action it within our 72 hour agreement and then allows your community pharmacy to dispense this for you.
We will return your prescription to you by post if a stamped addressed envelope is provided.
Many chemists offer a delivery and collection service. Speak to your preferred chemist directly for details. This means that you do not have to come to the surgery to collect your prescription and then take it to a chemist.
How to request a Repeat Prescription
As a practice, we do recommend the NHS app as it allows patients to see when their medication has been issued without needing to call the practice or your pharmacy.
You can download the NHS App by clicking on the link. The App enables patients to see their available medicines, request a new repeat prescription and choose a nominated pharmacy for their prescriptions to be sent to electronically.
We also recommend registering for Online Services. If you are not currently registered for this service, photo ID is currently being accepted by email as way of registration. Please email pathfields.practice@nhs.net to start your registration for Online Services.
Please be aware that we do not accept prescription requests via email or telephone. You can order your prescription by the following methods:
- NHS app
- System Online services
- Written request sent to the surgery.
- Your Pharmacy can request your prescription through the surgery.
- Electronic repeat dispensing (please see separate information page regarding this).
- Patient triage (for requests needing reauthorisation/queries on your medication).
eRD. A new way to get your prescriptions.
If you or someone you care for uses the same medicines regularly, you may be able to benefit from using the NHS eRD service.
eRD stands for Electronic Repeat Dispensing – this means that we can send certain medications from your repeat list to the Pharmacy for you, without you having to request it for a certain period; usually 3,6 or 12 months (depending on the medication that you are on).
eRD only works for your regular repeat medication.
We cannot send any medication that is only needed PRN*, controlled drugs*, any high-risk drugs* or any medications you have had as an acute* issue. Therefore, if you require any of those medications, you will still need to request these via your Pharmacy/GP surgery 7-10 days prior to when they are needed.
Your community Pharmacy will then inform you when your eRD is coming to end and will need reviewing by your GP surgery; It is your responsibility to contact your GP surgery and ask for those medications to go back on ERD for a further period.
High Risk drugs* – these include medications that need frequent monitoring via blood tests such as Methotrexate, opiate based drugs such as Co-codamol and any medication that frequently changes.
Controlled drugs* – If you are on a controlled drug, you will be aware of this. PRN drugs*- PRN stands for ‘Pro Re Nata’ which means ‘as and when needed’. These would include medications such as paracetamol – medications that you would not expect to receive every month. Acute drugs* – Acute medication is prescribed for a short period of time for an illness or condition expected to clear up in a short amount of time. These would include antibiotics.
Pharmacy information:
Pharmacies can use our clinical pharmacy email address d-icb.pathfieldsscripts@nhs.net for prescription requests and queries.
Please note that use of this email address by any other person/s other than Pharmacy staff/Health Care Professionals, will not be actioned.
Ordering Medication Early
General Repeat Prescription
If you are going on holiday abroad and require your medication earlier than your usual issue date, you will need to send a copy of your confirmation for flight booking/Ferry, along with your name, date of birth and address, the medication you require and the dates you require the medication cover for. This needs to be requested at least 14 days prior to needing this to allow our team members time to review the request and allow the GP time to authorise the prescriptions.
Substance Misuse Prescribing
Controlled drugs cannot be prescribed early unless specifically agreed by a GP.
Holiday requests for this type of prescribing requires a review with the GP and we therefore ask for 14 days’ notice. If you need to travel as an emergency, then please do get in touch with us to request the prescription with a clear valid explanation of the emergency. We will do our best to accommodate this but please be aware that we may not always be able to arrange this in time, especially with less than 5 working days’ notice. This is aligned with the Harbour Centre Policy.
Urgent Requests
If you are needing your medication urgently, we can try to fast track this for you however it is not a guarantee that it will be done the same day. We always ask our patients to request their medication 1 week before it is due to allow us enough time.
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