DISPENSING SERVICE

The dispensary is open as follows: (Excluding Bank and Public Holidays):

REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS 

Before a prescription is put onto your repeat list, it has to be authorised by the doctor. You will then have a repeat slip attached to your prescription. This has boxes to tick to re-order your medicines. Please allow AT LEAST 2 WORKING DAYS for the prescription (or the medicine itself if you are a dispensing patient) to be prepared and ready for collection.

PLEASE ORDER ONLY WHAT YOU NEED.

We are sorry that we cannot accept repeat prescription requests on the telephone.  These are the ways in which you can order your repeat medication:

• You can fax your request (01929 405503)
• You can send your request by post (please mark the envelope “Dispensary”)
• You can post your request through the dispensary letter box (situated to the right hand side of the main surgery entrance)
• You can order your repeat medication online via EMIS Access. You will need to register for this service at the dispensary.

If you need help of any other kind you should telephone 01929 401265 at the following times:

Medication Queries

If you have a query regarding your medication you can speak to a Dispenser on their direct telephone line 01929 401265 at the following times:

• Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 1pm and 2pm – 5.30pm
• Friday 8.30am – 12.30pm and 3.30pm – 5.30pm

Please do not telephone the main surgery number with medication queries at other times as reception staff are not able to help you and you will be asked to call back.

Pre- Ordering Service

Dispensing patients (those who live more than one mile away from the chemist) have the choice of requesting repeat medication from the dispensary one month in advance. On collection of your medication you will be asked to request your medication for the following month. You will then be given a collection date in four weeks time, always a Wednesday. Please ask at the dispensary for further information.

Unwanted Medication

Patients can return unwanted and out of date medication to the dispensary for safe disposal.

Emergency Medication

If medication is needed urgently, patients should contact the dispensary by telephone (01929 401265) or in person. The request will be dealt with straight away. If the items needed are on the patients repeat medication list the medication will be dispensed or a signed prescription issued. If the item is not a repeat item authorisation to dispense will need to be obtained from the duty doctor.

If you need to obtain medication urgently when the surgery is closed please contact the out of hours Urgent Care Service on 0845 600 10 13.

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.