Repeat Prescriptions

If you require regular medication the doctor will enter the prescription on the computer. This will enable you to obtain monthly prescriptions by placing your computerised repeat slip into the box provided at the centre.

Alternatively, you can post your repeat slip remembering to enclose an SAE for return of the prescription, email your request to chafford.prescriptions@nhs.net  or order via Patient Online (you will need to register to use this service).

Please allow two working days before collection when your request is in the surgery by 11.30am, after this time please allow another 24 hours.  Remember to make allowances for weekends and public holidays.

You (or a representative) may collect the prescription any time after 4.00pm on the appropriate day.  If there is a Pharmacy from which you prefer to collect your Prescriptions, please let us know as we can record it in your Records.  Once this is recorded it will appear on your Prescription automatically and the Prescription will be sent to the named Pharmacy.  If you want to change the named Pharmacy in future you will need to inform us before requesting your next Prescription.

Thank you for your co-operation.

PLEASE NOTE:  The Practice intends to cease the email facility next year to concentrate all prescription requests through the Patient Online service. The service has the additional benefits of allowing you to book routine appointments and accessing your summary medical record and coded medical record, including test results.  If you have not already registered for Patient Online services please speak to a member of the Reception Team.  You will need to provide photographic identification in order to obtain a user name and password.  At the present time the service is not available for children under the age of 16 and alternative arrangements will be made.

Anticoagulant Medication (ie Warfarin, Marevan, Phenindione, Acenocoumarol)  -  Change in Procedure

If you are requesting a repeat prescription for this medication you are now required to provide your current INR level along with the date of your latest blood test, due date of your next blood test and the current dosage of medication.

Electronic Presciption Service

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service which allows us to send your prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy of your choice (near to where you live, work or shop).  This allows you to collect your repeat prescription direct from your regular collection point without returning each time to your GP surgery to pick up your paper prescription.  If you wish to nominate a place for us to electronically send your prescription please speak to any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS or someone at the surgery to add your nomination to your records for you.  You do not need a computer to use this service.  Please remember to let us know of any changes.

Online Repeat Prescription Ordering

You can now have access to the new Repeat Prescription ordering facility.  The new system will allow you to choose the medication from your medical record (repeat medication screen only) rather than you having to type into the current form on the website or an email.

The new system will require you to have a user name and password which will then allow you to log on to the practice clinical system and see a list of your medications with dates when they were last issued to you. 

Utilising this service will enable you to access both appointments and prescriptions 24 hours a day.

To find out more and obtain a user name and password please see one of the reception Team.  You will need Photographic identification in order to register for this service.

 Order Your Repeat Prescription Online 

 Or email your request to chafford.prescriptions@nhs.net

Please allow 48 hours, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, for your request to be processed. Any problems please telephone the surgery. If you make your request after 11.30am, please allow an extra 24 hours.

During the busy summer period we ask that you please allow three working days before collecting your repeat prescription request.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Electronic prescriptions

Most prescriptions are now signed, sent and processed electronically.

You have 2 choices for how this works.

• You can choose a pharmacy or dispenser to dispense all your prescriptions. When you get a prescription, it will be sent electronically to the dispenser you have chosen. You can collect your medicines or appliances without having to hand in a paper prescription.

• You can decide each time you are issued a prescription where you would like it to be dispensed. When you are issued a prescription, you will be given a paper copy that you can take to any pharmacy or other dispenser in England. The paper copy will contain a unique barcode that will be scanned to download your prescription from the secure NHS database.

Paper prescriptions will continue to be available in special circumstances, but almost all prescriptions will be processed electronically.

Choosing a pharmacy or other dispenser

If you get regular prescriptions or are already using a prescription collection service (where a pharmacy collects prescriptions from your GP practice for you) then choosing a pharmacy to dispense all your prescriptions may save you time by avoiding unnecessary trips to your GP.

You will still order your repeat prescriptions in the same way as you do now, but your prescriptions will be sent electronically to the pharmacy or dispenser of your choice.

You will not have to collect a paper repeat prescription from your GP practice.

Cancelling or changing your choice of pharmacist or dispenser

You can change or cancel your choice of dispenser at any time. Simply speak to your GP or pharmacist before you order your next prescription.

You should allow time for the update to take place to avoid your next prescription being sent to the wrong place.

What can I do if I'm unhappy with the process?

You should be provided with information about electronic prescriptions and give your consent before your choice of dispenser is recorded.

If you're unhappy with your experience, you can complain to the dispenser, your GP practice or your local clinical commissioning group (CCG).

Find out more about the NHS complaints procedure

Who can see my prescription?

Electronic prescriptions are reliable, secure and confidential.

Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that used to see your paper prescription.

They'll also be able to see whether you have chosen more than 1 dispenser and can check where your prescriptions will be sent to.

If you're on repeat prescriptions, dispensers will also see all of the items on your re-order slip.