Ordering repeat 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: SystmOnline
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription 2 working days after you have ordered it.
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 any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
Dispensary
We are proud to offer a dispensing service to our patients who live more than a mile away from their nearest pharmacy.
Our dispensaries are open for collection of medication from:
- Potton, 8:30am to midday and 2pm to 6pm (Thursday, 8:30am to 12:30pm)
- Gamlingay, 8:30am to midday and 2pm to 6pm (Wednesday 8:30am to 12:30pm)
Hospital outpatient prescription
If you have visited hospital for an outpatient appointment and you need a medicine urgently, you may be given a prescription to take to the hospital pharmacy to be dispensed. This prescription differs from the prescription form used by your GP and cannot be taken to any other pharmacy, including your local community pharmacy, as they will not be able to dispense it. You must take it to the hospital pharmacy.
Medication is only issued from the hospital outpatient pharmacy when:
- prescribing is urgent, i.e. treatment must start before you can reasonably be expected to obtain a prescription from the GP.
- specialist monitoring is required, e.g. Cancer treatment
- the drug is only available in hospital or is part of a clinical trial.
If you are seen out-of-hours and the hospital pharmacy is closed, you will need to make arrangements to collect your medicine from the hospital pharmacy the next day.
If the new medication is not needed urgently, the consultant will write to the GP with details. It can take up to 3 working days for your GP to process requests for new medication and issue you a prescription for your medicine. Additionally, in some situations, your GP will need to ensure they have received all relevant information from the hospital to enable them to prescribe the new medicine for you.
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:
- fill out an ask a prescription question form
Medication reviews
If you have been asked for a medication review please complete the medication review form. The form will be reviewed by a member of the clinical team and if further information is required you will be contacted by SMS or phone.
Prescription charges
Find out more about prescription charges.
You can also find out if you are entitled to free prescriptions.
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 room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.
Accessing pharmacy first services
Please click on the attachment below for more information on 7 conditions pharmacists can manage across various age ranges: