Repeat Prescriptions

Prescriptions will be available 72 hours after your request, excluding weekends and bank/local holidays.

You can request a repeat prescription online via the NHS App or Patient Access, or by putting in a written request to the surgery. Please allow 3 working days for your request to be processed.

For patients who cannot access the NHS App or Patient Access, requests can be made through email to hiowicb-hsi.lockswood.prescribing@nhs.net

Order repeat prescriptions online

Please ask at reception for information - Picture ID will be required in order for us to process your registration form.

Ordering medication not showing in your NHS account

Not all medication will be visible in your NHS account. When we first prescribe you a medication, it will be as a one-off prescription and listed as an ‘acute’ medication.

Before another prescription can be approved, a medication review may be needed. This is to check if the prescribed medicine is still suitable for you.

If the review allows, the medication can then be added to your repeat medication list. However, there are some medicines that we can not add to your repeat list. For example:

antibiotics
salbutamol inhalers such as Ventolin
certain controlled drugs and medication that may need to be trialled or have your dosage adjusted

These medicines must remain on your ‘acute list’ to help us to best monitor how often it should be prescribed.

Warning advice: Ordering acute medication online

You can request acute medications online: acute medication prescription request form

This form cannot be used to request appointments or ask questions about medication.

Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD)

What is electronic repeat dispensing (eRD)?

Electronic repeat dispensing (eRD) is a process that allows the prescriber to authorise and issue a batch of repeat prescriptions for up to 12 months with just one digital signature. Prescriptions are stored securely on the NHS Spine and are automatically downloaded to the patient’s nominated community pharmacy at intervals set by the prescriber. This reduces calls, and visits, to the surgery.

Identifying suitable patients

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) can provide practices with a list of NHS numbers for patients that may be suitable for eRD. This list includes patients who have received the same medicines, of up to 9 drugs, dispensed for 10 or more months in the last 12 months. These patients require review before authorising.

Identifying suitable patients

Our practice is collaborating with NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) who provide practices with a list of NHS numbers for patients that may be suitable for eRD. This list includes patients who have received the same medicines, of up to 9 drugs, dispensed for 10 or more months in the last 12 months. These patients require review before authorising.

If you or someone you care for uses the same medicines regularly, you may be able to benefit from using the NHS Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) service. This means you won’t have to re-order or collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP practice every time you need more medicine.

Step 1 (NOTE: this step has already been completed by the practice pharmacist)

Talk to your GP or the person who prescribes your medicines and ask them if you can use Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD). Your prescriber will usually be your doctor or practice nurse. If your prescriber thinks that you could use eRD for your regular medicines, they will ask you for permission to share information about your treatment with your pharmacist. This will help your pharmacist to give your prescriber feedback about your treatment and provide you with useful advice. Your GP or prescriber will then authorise a number of eRD prescriptions. This will be based on your circumstances and clinical need. These eRD prescriptions will then be supplied by your pharmacy at regular intervals. Please let your surgery know if you wish to opt out of this service by email.

Step 2

Collect your first eRD prescription from your pharmacy.

Step 3

Next time you need more medicines, go back to your pharmacy. Before dispensing the next issue of your prescription, your pharmacy will ask you the following questions:

Have you seen any health professionals (GP, nurse or hospital doctor), since your last repeat prescription was supplied?
Have you recently started taking any new medicines - either on prescription or that you have bought over the counter?
Have you been having any problems with your medication or experiencing any side effects?

If you don't need all of the medicines on your prescription, let the pharmacy staff know, so that they only supply the medicines you need. This will help to reduce waste and save the NHS money.

Step 4

When your pharmacy supplies your final eRD prescription in the series that your GP has authorised, they will advise you to contact your GP practice. Your doctor or practice nurse may want to see you to review your medication before they will authorise more eRD prescriptions.

Questions about your prescription

If you have questions about your medicine or your prescription please contact the surgery.

Your local pharmacists can also answer any questions about your prescription. They can answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.

Find a pharmacy

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