Repeat medication can be ordered easily in the following ways:
- Recommended method - Using the NHS App Order medication at any time, from anywhere, without waiting for the surgery to open or waiting in phone queues. It enables you to track prescription status in real-time, and select a convenient pharmacy, saving time and reducing pressure on NHS services (Guide to order your repeat prescription);
- Using Patient Access;
- Via email: somicb.dispensary-northpetherton@nhs.net with your full name and address, date of birth, and the medications you require; or
- Dispensary telephone: 01278 661428 - open 10.00am - 12:00pm Mon-Fri (excluding bank holidays) for urgent enquiries only.
If you are yet to sign up for Patient Access you will need to register first; this is easy to do.
Please pop into the Practice with a photo I.D. and request your sign up letter which will contain your user I.D and a password. Alternatively, telephone reception and we will post it out to you.
Once you have your letter you can then register online here and follow the instructions to create your patient access account.
We aim to provide a repeat prescription within 7 working days. This time is required to process your repeat prescription request, re-issue, verify and to be review and signed by your doctor.
Please order in a reasonable time and do not expect to collect a prescription the same day that you order it. You can also help us by only requesting your usual supply of medications when required.
Whichever way you order your repeat medication, we can arrange for your prescription to be sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice to be collected at a time convenient to you.
We will make sure suitable provision is made for people self-isolating owing to illness or being in at risk groups.
The Patient Access website is run by the company Patient Access, therefore we cannot view or correct any problems on your account.
Please contact Patient Access if you are having problems logging in.
They will look at your account to diagnose the issues and may need to re-set your account at their end. They may tell you that you need to contact the surgery to re-set your pin/account after they have done this.
By keeping your medication regularly updated and reviewed, you can be sure that your medications are working as they should. In some cases, it may be that you no longer need to take medication, or it could be necessary to reduce or increase the amount that you are taking.
Patients on long-term medication are advised to consult with their surgery at least twice a year regarding their medication and you will be reminded by the surgery when this is due.
If you are on regular, stable medication then the surgery may be willing to give you 2 months’ worth of medication at a time, however this will be decided by your prescribing clinician and will likely be reduced if you do not attend your medication reviews as requested by the surgery.
If your medicines run out at different times and you would like them to be synchronised so you only have to order and collect them once, please fill out this form: Medication-Syncronisation-Form [SHS 2020] and return it to us.
Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS Prescriptions and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).
The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.
Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.
NHS charges
From 1 April 2021, the charges are:
- Prescription (per item): £9.35
- 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £108.10
- 3-month PPC: £30.25
If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC. The charge for a single prescription item is £9.15, whereas a three month PPC will cost you £29.65 and a 12 month PPC £105.90.
- PPC telephone advice and order line 0300 330 1341
- General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line
There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS Website.
We work hard as an organisation to prevent any wasted drugs and try to use our available funding to support patients with the most need. You can obtain good advice and support, as well as purchase drugs from local pharmacies. Many products are cheap to buy and are readily available from pharmacies, as well as shops and supermarkets (which are often open until late).
In some circumstances your doctor can still prescribe these medicines on the NHS if they believe a true clinical need exists.
For more information from the National Health Service on conditions, treatments, local services and healthy living please visit the NHS Choices and Self Care Forum websites.
The type of treatment that may be available from the pharmacy is as follows:
- painkillers for minor aches and pains.
- Soluble pain killers (because of high salt content)
- Hay fever preparations
- Cough and cold remedies
- Nasal decongestants (and Sterimar)
- Tonic, vitamin, and health supplements
- Antiperspirants
- Homeopathic remedies
- Treatments for non-serious constipation or diarrhoea
- Ear wax removers (a few drops of olive oil is just as good as anything on prescription)
- Treatments for minor facial spots
- Threadworm tablets
- Lozenges, throat sprays, mouthwashes, gargles and toothpastes
- Slimming preparations (except within national guidelines)
- Creams, gels, oils and dressings for minor sprains, sports injuries and scars
- Indigestion remedies for occasional use
- Creams for bruising, tattoos, varicose veins and scars
- Nappy rash barrier creams
- Hair removing creams
- Head lice lotions and shampoos (wet combing is recommended)
- Athletes’ foot creams and powders
- Topical treatments for vaginal thrush
- Treatments for fungal nail infections
- Moisturisers and bath additives for minor dry skin conditions
- Travel medicines
- Foods and toilet preparations except where clinically indicated e.g. gluten-free cakes, cake mixes & luxury biscuits; sip feeds; ready-made thickened juices; soya milks and sun creams