Repeat Prescriptions
These items are listed on the right hand side of your repeat prescription computer slip. Repeat prescriptions are generally issued at 28 day intervals.
You can order your repeat prescriptions in one of the following ways :
- by e-mailing the surgery at enquiries.w97029@wales.nhs.uk
- by handing in your request at the reception desk
- by placing it in the prescription request box in our waiting area
- by posting through the letter-box on the front of the Surgery building at any time
- by posting your request to the Surgery
- by faxing your request to the Surgery – see Surgery contact details
- You can also sign up to our On-Line repeat prescription service (MHOL) click here for more detail: mhol-info
- If you use (MHOL) then you don’t need to email us.
Please allow two full working days before collecting your repeat prescription.
Requests made in the following circumstances will not be actioned until the next working day and will not be ready for collection for a further two working days:
- After 6pm
- Weekends
- Public holidays
Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that you order your repeat medication on time. Always allow extra time for weekends and public holidays and also in the event of postal and/or technical problems.
Non-repeat medication (Special) requests are not automatically issued. Please use our online form or the repeat prescription phone line as above. Please do not request these items by post, since your request may be declined by the doctor.
If your request is authorised, your prescription will be available for collection within 48 hours as usual.
If your request is declined, you may need to see or speak to your doctor to discuss your request.
Please respect the following:
- We are unable to enter into correspondence over the Internet regarding repeat prescriptions; this is to protect your confidentiality.
- Staff who receive your request have been trained to issue prescriptions, but they do not have in depth medical knowledge. Please ensure that you provide as much detail from your repeat prescription as possible.
- The practice cannot be held responsible for any delay of your request, nor any technical failure of the system. It is the patient’s responsibility to allow enough time when ordering prescriptions.
- By ordering your repeat prescription using the online form, you accept the above conditions. If you do not receive a confirmation email, this may indicate a problem with your request. If this does occur, we advise you use the alternative methods detailed above to request your repeat medication.
Hospital Requests
When you are discharged from hospital you should normally receive five days supply of medication.
On receipt of your medication requirements, which will be issued to you by the hospital, please bring a copy to the surgery, post or fax, before your supply of medication has run out.
Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by the GP first, and, if necessary, your doctor will issue you with a prescription. The practice will endeavour to issue you with your prescription on that day, but it cannot be issued until your medical details are checked by the doctor. Please allow a minimum of 24 working hours for collection.
The doctors will review your medication regularly. This may involve changes to your tablets, in accordance with current Health Board policies. You will always be informed of any such changes and should feel free to discuss them with your doctor, if you wish.
A note about sleeping tablets & sedatives
The Committee for Safety of Medicines has advised that all GP practices should avoid the longterm use of the following drugs:
- Buspirone
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam
- Oxazepam
- Nitrazepam
- Temazepam
- Zopiclone
- Zolpidem
- Zalepon
Please note that these tablets will now no longer be routinely commenced by the practice.
This is because they are highly addictive. That means that the body rapidly becomes dependent on the substance to feel normal and that state of normality demands escalating quantities of the substance. In such a way tolerance develops and, conversely, a person will go through a withdrawal state if the drug is discontinued. They are licensed for the short term treatment of severe anxiety, agitation, distress and sleeplessness, amongst others, and may have their place in context. However, a variety of non-addictive alternatives exist and we will endeavour to help patients explore these options and wean off long term sedatives where at all possible.
If you are new to our practice and have been prescribed any of the above medications in your previous practice, you will be required to see a doctor to consider your ongoing need.
If you are already taking any of the above medications, you may be invited for review by a doctor to consider your ongoing need.
We will not suddenly stop a long term regular prescription.
If you would like more information, please feel free to discuss it with your doctor.