Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are by:
- using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
- calling the Medicines Order Line on 0115 855 0260; the lines are open Monday to Friday, between 8.00am and 4.00pm
- emailing your repeat prescription request to us at [email protected]. Please include your full first name, surname, date of birth and first line of address as your patient identifiers and list the items of medication you wish to request in the email.
- bringing the paper form to the front desk or using the blue post box just outside the practice, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6.30pm
If your doctor has decided that you need regular medication you may not need to be seen each time you require a prescription. You may also request that your prescription be collected by a local pharmacy of your choice.
Acute Medication Requests
To order any acute medication: email your request to us at [email protected]. Please include your full first name, surname, date of birth and first line of address as your patient identifiers and list the items of medication you wish to request in the email.
If your doctor has decided that you need regular medication you may not need to be seen each time you require a prescription. You may also request that your prescription be collected by a local pharmacy of your choice.
Repeat medication can be ordered using your NHS account. You will need to register for this service at your practice and once registered you may order your repeat medication at any time during the day or night, by ticking the boxes alongside the medication you require on the right-hand tear-off section of your computerised prescription. This can be sent by post or placed in the box near the reception desk or the post box by the medical centre driveway front gates. If you enclose a SAE we can post the prescription back to you, or by ringing or face to face with your local pharmacy. We also have the facility for you to nominate a local pharmacy and your prescription can be sent there electronically (EPS). Ask your local pharmacist for further information.
Medication on Discharge from Hospital
If you visit a hospital, as an inpatient or an outpatient, you will sometimes be given a prescription for medicine by the hospital doctor who has seen you. The prescription will normally be enough to last you for the following seven days following your discharge from hospital.
At the Royal Derby Hospital these prescriptions are dispensed from the Boots pharmacy near the main entrance of the Hospital. Although there may be a short wait at busy times this is normally the fastest and easiest way to obtain your hospital prescribed medicines.
Any requests for Hospital prescribed medicines presented to the GPs at Whitemoor Medical Centre would form part of our repeat prescription work stream and take at least two to three working days to issue. This is because they would need to be reviewed by a GP who would have to take over clinical responsibility for issue of the requested medication.
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.
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
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.
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 repeat slip. Often if you have a chronic disease, such as kidney or heart disease, you will need to be reviewed every 6 months at the chronic disease clinics run by the practice nurse team. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions. Please note that if you are invited to attend for any disease monitoring and you do not attend after 3 recalls, your doctor may decide to reduce your medication, thus having the potential of you incurring additional charges for your 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.
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.