Ordering your medication
Please request your repeat medication at least 5 working days before you are due to run out to allow sufficient time for processing.
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.
You can also:
Click on ‘fill out an eConsult admin request’
On the next screen select ‘Sick notes, tests or routine requests’
On the ‘Make a routine request’ screen select ‘ Administrative help’
You will be asked a series of questions and when you get to the screen called ‘what administrative issue can we help you with’ you can select ‘Medication query/request
- Alternatively you can bring your repeat slip with the items you need ticked to either site
If you are requesting medication, you do not normally use, please submit an eConsult.
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us provide a safe and effective prescribing service for all our patients.
To support safe, efficient, and consistent prescribing, The Birchwood and Sollershott Surgeries operate a 28-day prescribing policy for repeat medications.
This means that most repeat prescriptions will be issued for a 28-day supply.
A 28-day prescribing system helps to:
- Reduce medication waste and NHS costs
- Improve medication safety and monitoring
- Ensure prescriptions are managed consistently for all patients
- Minimise the risk of medicines being stockpiled or going out of date
When are 7-day prescriptions issued?
We recognise that some patients may require additional support with managing their medicines.
7-day prescriptions will only be considered where there is a specific clinical need, for example where a patient is deemed clinically vulnerable and shorter prescribing intervals are necessary to support their safety and wellbeing. This decision will be made by a GP or appropriate healthcare professional and will be reviewed regularly.
Requests for weekly prescriptions based solely on convenience will not usually be approved.
Help with managing your medication
Many patients find the following tools helpful in managing a 28-day supply of medicines:
Pharmacy Nomination and Repeat Prescription Services
Most community pharmacies can:
- Order repeat prescriptions on your behalf (where appropriate)
- Provide medication reminders
- Help monitor when medicines are due for collection
Speak to your regular pharmacy for details.
NHS app
The NHS app allows you to:
- Order repeat prescriptions online
- Track your requests
- View your medications
Medication reminder apps
Patients may find medication reminder apps useful, such as:
- NHS App medication services
- Medisafe
- MyTherapy
These can help you remember when to take medicines and when to request your next prescription.
Pill organisers and dosette boxes
Weekly or monthly pill organisers can help patients keep track of their medicines. These are widely available from pharmacies and retailers.
Patients who have difficulty managing their medicines independently should discuss this with their pharmacist or healthcare professional, who can advise whether additional support may be available.
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 5 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 your GP practice
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
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 the practice after 10am
- fill out an eConsult admin request
- for prescription synchronisation requests, please complete this form.
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.
If you have been told that your medication review is due, you can provide the information that the doctor needs online to let them know how you are getting on with your medication. You can provide this information without needing to make an appointment at the surgery.
Follow this link to complete a medication review form using eConsult
We will contact you further if we feel you may benefit from an appointment to speak to a clinician.
Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).
Take it to the pharmacy you got it from for correct disposal. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.
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.