Repeat Prescriptions

 

All requests for repeat medication will take 3 working days to process. 

When you put your medication request in it will be ready as follows:

  • Monday: Friday
  • Tuesday: Monday
  • Wednesday: Tuesday
  • Thursday: Wednesday
  • Friday: Thursday

Acute prescriptions have a turnaround of 5 working days. Please do not request a prescription for mediation that has not been prescribed for over a year – this will need a Dr’s appointment. Please check whether the medication is available over the counter, and purchase over the counter where possible.

Prescriptions for over the counter medication

Patients are encouraged to only visit their GP when they need to, thus giving patients greater control over their health.

Orchard Surgery is keen to empower our patients to have the confidence and information to look after themselves when they are able. Patients are encouraged to only visit their GP when they need to, thus giving patients greater control over their health.

There are many cases, where patients are able to purchase medications which are available from community pharmacies, supermarkets or grocery stores, reducing the number of GP consultations, so GP’s are able to focus on caring for the higher risk patients, such as the very young, elderly , those with long term conditions. Many of these treatments are more expensive when prescribed on the NHS compared to when they are purchased in pharmacies or supermarkets.

The Cambridge and Peterborough Integrated Care System has introduced the following principles which Orchard Surgery will be following:

  1. Patients are expected to keep a small supply of simple treatments at home in order to manage minor ailments at home
  2. After seeking appropriate advice from a pharmacist or other health care professional, it is expected where available, patients will purchase their medicine over the counter
  3. Medication will not be routinely prescribed when it is for symptomatic relief for short term conditions that will resolve on their own
  4. It is recommended that the following conditions should not routinely be prescribed in primary care – this list is not exhaustive:
    • Pain relief
    • Coughs and Colds
    • Antihistamines and allergy
    • Thrush (max 2 episodes in 6 months)
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Dermatology
    • Eye conditions
    • Heartburn & Indigestion
    • Cold sore treatment
    • Oral health
    • Earwax removal
    • Head lice & Threadworm treatments
    • Nutrition and Food Supplements

Patients needing regular treatment with over the counter medication for a chronic condition will still be prescribed their medication

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In Person

  • When we are open: Patients can drop their repeat slip in the box located in the waiting room.
  • When we are closed: Drop your repeat slip in the post box currently on the door to the roadside entrance, with the required items clearly marked.
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Use the NHS App

Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

The simplest and quickest way to order your repeat medication is by using the NHS App which links directly to your Prescription record at the Practice.

DOWNLOAD THE NHS APP

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Order Online with SystmOnline

SystmOnline Logo

You can order your repeat prescription online using SystmOnline.

The simplest and quickest way to order your repeat medication is by using SystmOnline which links directly to your Prescription record at the Practice.

ORDER ONLINE

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By Post

Send it to us remembering to enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you want us to post it back to you.

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Private Prescriptions

Please be aware, that if you have been seen privately for a single episode of care (such as an operation), and short-term medication is prescribed, this medication should be prescribed by the private hospital. The surgery would not be able to prescribe this medication. 

If during a private consultation, a long term condition is identified which would need medication prescribed, the surgery would only be able to take over the prescribing from the private doctor, if we can be satisfied that the prescribing is appropriate, responsible, and is something that we would prescribe for our other NHS patients with the same diagnosis. When the surgery prescribes medication, they take on the full responsibility for your care, even if the medicine is recommended for you by a different doctor. For this reason, we would not prescribe if:

  • We have inadequate communication from the private doctor to explain the reason why they wish to prescribe the medication
  • The medication is not prescribed on the NHS
  • The medication is specialist only prescribing, and we do not have the expertise to safely monitor the medication
  • The use of medication is not compatible with national or local prescribing guidelines
  • The medication is not licenced in the UK ,or is being used for a purpose not included in it's UK licence
  • We believe the medication is inappropriate for you
  • You are seen by a Private GP without a GP referral
  • If we cannot be sure the private doctor is aware of your medical history

Please, in line of the above, consider all potential costs when accessing a private consultant, and include any potential medication costs.

Please note we will NOT accept prescription requests over the telephone.

Our Dispensary

 

From Monday 11th March 2024 our hatch opening times are changing to the following:
Day Monday Morning 9am to 12:45am Afternoon 3pm to 5:45pm
Day Tuesday Morning 9am to 12:45am Afternoon 3pm to 5:45pm
Day Wednesday Morning 9am to 12:45am Afternoon 3pm to 5:45pm
Day Thursday Morning 9am to 12:45am Afternoon 3pm to 5:45pm
Day Friday Morning 9am to 12:45am Afternoon 3pm to 5:45pm
 

Patient Enquires: Please bear with us as we recruit new staff for our dispensary - please see the revised opening times until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have any medication queries, please choose option 3 from our telephone menu - our reception staff our not trained to answer those, and will be unable to help. 

Please do not ask the receptionists about medication queries, they are not trained to answer those, and will be unable to help.

 

Dispensary Line Opening Times

Phone Lines Open: Weekdays from 9am to 10am and 3pm to 4pm

We can supply medicines direct from our dispensary to all patients who live more than a mile, as the crow flies, from a chemist. Please check with the dispensers if you are unsure whether you are eligible.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see either a doctor, or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.

For medications on repeat you need to allow 3 full working days

For all other medication requests you need to allow up to five (5) working days.

If you have run out of your repeat medication, we will be able to provide you with a 7 day emergency supply, with the rest of the repeat available to you after 3 full working days. The emergency supply will be available after a GP has finished their clinic and reviewed your meds.

Prescription Delivery Service

A free Prescription delivery service is in operation for dispensing patients.

Operating on Tuesday and Friday a driver will travel around the Practice area to deliver prescriptions direct to patient’s homes.

Is this of interest?

  • If you are a registered patient with the Orchard Surgery
  • If you are a dispensing Patient
  • If you do not pay, or have prepaid for your prescriptions

An application form needs completing; this can be collected from the dispensary or printed out via the link below.

Any queries please contact a member of the management team at the Practice

Dispensary Delivery Application

Further Information