Ordering repeat prescriptions
Please order your medication 7-10 days before your supply runs out. Those requests received earlier than 10 days will not be issued until they are due.
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: Patient Access
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
You can also:
- bring the paper form to the surgery, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.
Important: if you find you have insufficient medication to cover you through to the next working day, please contact your dispensing chemist or pharmacy who may be able to authorise a temporary supply for you.
If you require your prescription early for good reason, perhaps you are going away on holiday for example, do please let us know.
Prescription Quantities & 28 Day Prescribing
“A 28 day prescribing interval is recognised by the NHS as making the best possible balance between patient convenience, good medical practice and minimal drug wastage”.
For patients travelling abroad for extended periods we will provide up to a maximum of a 3 month supply of medicines, but not longer than this. This also follows guidance.
Patients prescribed a repeat medicine should be prescribed enough of each tablet to last 28 days. For example; if the dose requires you to take 2 tablets a day you will receive 56 tablets, 3 tablets a day 84 tablets etc. There are some drugs which are packaged in 3 monthly amounts, for example contraceptive pills and HRT, and we prescribe these in their packaged amounts.
The majority of our patients collecting repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges. We would encourage patients who do pay to consider buying a Prescription Pre-Payment Certificate, which will ultimately be more cost effective.
If you are collecting routine medication more often than every 28 days or some items are running out more quickly than other then please tell us.
Our Dispensary
We are a dispensing practice and are able to dispense your medicines if you live more than a mile away from a chemist.
Our Dispensary is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 6.30pm. We are closed on weekends & bank holidays.
Dispensed medications can be collected from our own dispensary, delivered to Preston Candover Post Office and Cheriton Post Office. We also offer a home delivery service for housebound patients, please speak to one of the dispensary staff about this (deliveries require a signature upon receipt). Alternatively we can send your prescription to one of the dispensing chemists in Alresford or Four Marks.
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 working days after you have ordered it.
Order & Collection Times Guidelines
| HANDED IN BEFORE | READY TO COLLECT |
| 2pm Monday | 2pm Thursday |
| Tuesday | Friday |
| Wednesday | Monday |
| Thursday | Tuesday |
| Friday | Wednesday |
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.
If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:
- phone our pharmacist after 10am on 01962 732345
- fill in our medication query form
Medication reviews
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.
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.