PLEASE ALLOW 5 WORKING DAYS FOR YOUR PRESCRIPTION TO BE PROCESSED

Please note that Boots Bedminster is closing on the 15 August.  If this is your nominated pharmacy please let us know.

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Repeat Prescriptions

You can request your repeat medication in a number of ways:

By using the computer printout attached to your previous prescription

• By handing your repeat slip into any one of our local chemists (saves coming into the surgery)
• By post - if you enclose a stamped addressed envelope, we will post the prescription back to you
• By submitting your request via the link at the top of this page - Please note this link will only work for current registered users. New users will need to register for Patient Access. To register for this service please present proof of identity (Photo ID and proof of address) to our reception staff who will issue you with the documentation that you require.

Registering for Patient Access will give you access to online booking of appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and also gives you access to some of your medical records.  The prescription ordering is simple to use, as you just need to click on the items you require.

The following link provides further information on how to order repeat prescriptions:

https://support.patientaccess.com/repeat-medication/request-repeat-medication

• By delivering your request to the surgery
• Using the locked Post Box on the wall in the entrance lobby when the surgery is closed

Your repeat prescription will be available for collection after 4.00pm two working days after we receive it.  Please allow additional time for the Pharmacy to process your prescription request.  If you place your request after 5.00pm, it will not be processed until the following day and the two working day rule will apply.  Please order your prescriptions well before you run short of your regular medicines.

We do not take requests for repeat prescriptions over the telephone unless you are housebound.

You can also collect your prescription from several local chemists which could save you time, as you won't have to return to the surgery. Please allow additional time as the 72 hours start from when the prescription arrives in the surgery.

If you would like to use this service please clearly mark on your prescription requests which chemist you would like to collect your prescription from. Your prescriptions will automatically be sent to that chemist until you instruct us otherwise.

Some of the local chemists provide a home delivery service - please check with them.

FREE PRESCRIPTIONS FROM YOUR PHARMACY - Some pharmacists in Bristol can now offer NHS treatment for the following conditions: Athlete’s Foot, Cold sores, Diarrhoea, Haemorrhoids (piles), Hay Fever, Head lice, Insect bites and stings, Threadworm, Thrush, Warts and Verrucae.  A variety of treatments are offered free of charge to those who normally qualify for free prescriptions. 

Emergency Medication

We are reviewing our emergency medication request process.  Only medications that are listed below, and authorised by a GP will be issued on the same day.

• Warfarin
• Rivaroxaban
• Dabigatran
• Apixaban
• Clobazam
• Topiramate
• Epilim (Sodium Valproate)
• Phenytoin
• Lamictal (Lamotrigine)
• Gabapentin
• Tegretol
• Keppra (Levetiracetam)
• Lacosamide
• Pregabalin
• All Inhalers
• All insulin based medications
• Clopidogrel
• Edoxiban
• Ticagrelor (anticoags)

Electronic Prescribing

We have now introduced an electronic prescribing service.  This is a system whereby prescription requests are handled electronically, from the time the request is received straight through to the pharmacy.  Instead of signing a paper prescription, GPs will sign the prescription electronically and send it directly to the pharmacy from their computer.

For patients who prefer to collect their prescriptions from the surgery, they may continue to do so but for those who would like to have their prescriptions sent to the pharmacy, they will be required to nominate the pharmacy they wish to use.

Can the GP prescribe extra medication to cover holidays?

If you need medication for a long-term health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you may be able to get an extra supply of medication to cover your time away.

If you need medication for a long-term health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you may be able to get an extra supply of medication to cover your time away.

You'll need to obtain a prescription from your GP, who will consider factors such as:

• the type of medication you're taking
• restrictions on specific medicines in the country you're visiting

Your GP will take into account whether you're taking a medicine that requires you to have regular monitoring or blood tests.

You should arrange to see your GP several weeks before you go away on holiday to discuss all of this.

Will my GP prescribe medication in case I'm ill when I'm away?

Talk to your GP about this. They will only give you an NHS prescription if they think you need the medication. They don't have to give you an NHS prescription just because you think you should have the medication.

Some GPs will provide private prescriptions, which are not free, if they agree that you should have medication to hand in case you're ill while you’re away.

Check what medication you can take

Before you travel, find out if there are any restrictions on taking your medicine in and out of:

• the UK
• the country you're visiting

Some medicines available over the counter in the UK may be strictly regulated (controlled) in other countries.

For more information, see Can I take my medicine abroad? and What is a controlled medicine (drug)?

Further information:

• Where can I get an emergency supply of medicine?
• Access to healthcare abroad

Do you find your tablets confusing?

If you are on so many tablets that you often get in a muddle, or can't remember whether you have taken them or not, it is well worth paying a small amount of money and buying a dossette box from your local pharmacist.  These are boxes with compartments.  Tablets can be placed in each compartment, and each compartment is clearly marked to indicate which day, and which time of day those particular tablets should be taken.  Each dossette box can be filled with a weeks supply of tablets.  You can do this yourself, or get a trusted friend or relative to do it for you.  If you feel you cannot do it yourself and have no-one to do it for you, then your pharmacy may agree to provide a pre-filled weekly dossette box for you.

Local Pharmacies can help with your medicines

Pharmacists can answer your questions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

All pharmacies provide the following services:

• dispensing of NHS prescriptions
• access to the repeat prescription service (with agreement from your GP)
• an emergency supply of medicine (subject to the decision of the pharmacist)
• non-prescription medicines like paracetamol
• disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines
• advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living

Pharmacy technicians can help with things like:

• inhaler technique
• how to take a medicine safely
• helping you understand the correct dose of a new medicine and how often you need to take it

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.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.15
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £105.90 - card or Direct Debit (10 monthly instalments of £10.40)
• 3-month: £29.65 - card payment

You can start your prepayment:

• today
• any date in the next month (ready for your next pharmacy visit)
• any date in the past month (if you have a refund form from the pharmacist)

Your prepayment certificate will be posted to you.  Pharmacies ask for this as evidence of prepayment.

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC. 

• Telephone advice and order line 0300 330 1341
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website

Prescribing Policy

We, as a practice, endeavour to prescribe appropriately for you. This means that we try to take into account the evidence that a drug is actually effective for its intended purpose. We are guided in this by a national and local formulary; we are reluctant to prescribe outside these guidelines.

Unfortunately in today's world, finance plays an important role; family doctors are obliged to consider the cost of medicines and we are under constant pressure to reduce this. For this reason you may on occasions be asked to change your tablets to a more economic version - rest assured this will only be done if we are satisfied that the alternative is as effective as your previous prescription.

If you require simple stock for your medicine cupboard such as painkillers for occasional use this should be purchased 'over the counter' from the pharmacy. Please don't ask us for this on prescription.

A huge amount of money is wasted on unused drugs; please help by only ordering what you need. Unused medication should not be discarded in ordinary waste disposal systems but returned to the pharmacist.

We regularly review our prescribing and may ask to speak to patients on regular medication at least once a year. Many conditions will require more frequent monitoring.

Please notify us of any known or suspected allergies or adverse reactions to medication.