Prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

• using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
• using the GP online system via the link at the top of this page

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

• In person - return the repeat order slip from a previous prescription with the required items clearly marked (we have a drop box outside both practice sites which is accessible 24/7.
• By post – return the repeat order slip from a previous prescription with the required items clearly marked.

Exceptionally you can order by telephone between the hours of 10am to 12 noon.  The contact number is 01944 710226 - select option 2. 

You can usually collect your prescription medication at the dispensary, after 4 working days (This excludes weekends and bank holidays).  Please take note of our dispensary opening times for Sherburn and for Rillington.  It is important to state which site you want to collect your prescriptions from when placing your order.

We are a dispensing practice and your medication can usually be supplied at the surgery after your appointment or 4 days after ordering your repeat medication.  If you run out of medication over the weekend or Bank Holiday then you can contact the out-of-hours team by dialling 111.

Sherburn Dispensary

The dispensary is open Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 12 noon and 12:30pm to 6pm.

Rillington Dispensary

The dispensary is now open at Rillington on Monday and Tuesday between 8am to 12 noon and 2pm to 6pm. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the dispensary is open between 8am to12 noon, closed in the afternoons.

Controlled drugs can only be collected from our Rillington branch between the hours of 8am to12 noon; this is because there is not a dispenser available to cover the hours. Rillington is open on a Monday and Tuesday afternoon. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, we can arrange for controlled drugs to be collected from Sherburn. Please discuss any concerns with dispensary team.

Delivery Service

If you normally have your medication dispensed by the surgery, we can deliver it for you free of charge. We will require at least 4 working days notice to process your prescription requests, colostomy products and dressings may take longer to prepare so please provide us with advanced notice in order to take advantage of this service. The delivery days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please ask at the dispensary for more details.

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.

• Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

• Contact us about your request (accurx.com).
• Phone reception and ask to speak to the dispensary team (repeat ordering via telephone between 10am-12noon only - medication queries can be discussed outside of this time slot).

If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or if it was dispensed by us you can bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.  We cannot take any returns of medication not dispensed by us.

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.

• Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

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.

Quantities Policy

With a small number of exceptions, such as contraception and hormone replacement therapy, we prescribe ongoing medication in 28 day amounts, which has been shown to reduce wastage for the NHS (this is common practice).  Patients who are not exempt from prescription charges should consider purchasing a pre-payment certificate if they are on two or more regular medications.

Prescribing Policy for travelling abroad

This policy outlines the procedure for patients travelling abroad for short and long periods of time.

• NHS Policy

By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK.  In addition GP's are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.

The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should find an alternative supply of that medication.

• Sherburn and Rillington Surgery Policy

Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months

For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so.  Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns.  1 months supply only will be issued for drugs normally available over the counter, such as Paracetamol.

Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months

Patients who inform us they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination (up to 3 months supply where safe to do so).

• Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad

GP's will only prescribe NHS prescriptions in this case for exacerbations of pre-existing illnesses; E.g. antibiotics for patients who have frequent infections secondary to an underlying lung condition.

GP's may provide private prescriptions if it is clinically appropriate and they can be self-administered safely without medical assessment while abroad. These prescriptions are not free.

Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and you should check with that countries embassy before you travel.

For more information visit the NHS website or click on the links below:

 https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/ 

Can I take my medicine abroad? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)