It is easier to request repeat prescriptions via our online service. Simply log in and select an option. Prescription requests must either be phone to 01292 438855 or made via Patient Access. Re-order slips will not be accepted.
Medicines are NOT in short supply. Please only order the medicines that you need from your GP Practice. Do not order all of your medicines automatically every time. Please tell the Practice which Pharmacy you wish to collect medicines from. GPs and Community Pharmacies will work together to ensure you get your medicines when they are due. Pharmacies are extremely busy, please allow SEVEN days from ordering your medicine to collection from the Community Pharmacy.
Prescriptions turn around time
NHS Ayrshire and Arran has agreed to move to a standardised time frame for ordering of repeat prescriptions. Our clinicians prescribe and dispense around 9 million prescription items each year. This seven day turn around will ensure they have the required time to undertake necessary checks to ensure the safe prescribing and dispensing of your medicines.
We are asking for support from our patients to do the following:
- Please now allow seven days from initially ordering your repeat prescription to collecting your medication at your community pharmacy.
- Order all of your required prescription items at the same time.
- If you are on regular medication for a long term condition ask your GP Practice or Community Pharmacy if a serial (longer term) prescription would be suitable for you.
Your Repeat Medication
If you need regular medication and your doctor does not need to see you every time, you will be issued with ‘repeat prescription’. When you collect a prescription you will see that it is perforated down the centre. The left-hand side is the actual prescription. The right-hand side (re-order slip) shows a list of medicines that you can request without booking an appointment to see a doctor. Please tear off this section (and keep it) before handing the prescription to the chemist for dispensing.
Run out or just about to run out medication requests
Unfortunately a small minority of patients are repeatedly running out (or just about to run out) of their medication. ‘Urgent’ requests of this nature cause a great deal of disruption to the smooth running of the practice. Please be aware that such requests will be questioned very carefully by the reception staff and may well be refused by the GP. A record is kept of such requests.
If you forget to request a Repeat Prescription
If you forget to obtain a prescription for repeat medication and run out of important medicines, you may be able to get help from your pharmacy. Under the Urgent Provision of Repeat Medication Service, pharmacists may be able to supply you with a further cycle of a previously repeated medicine without having to get a prescription from your GP. If you receive stoma products from your pharmacy or other suppler and/or receive suppose such as continence products and welfare food from community services, you should ensure you have sufficient supplies as you may encounter difficulties in obtaining theses over public holidays, or when we are closed.
How to order your medication
By post
You can post your prescription slip or written request to us at the Practice. You can include a stamped addressed envelope for return by post if you will not be able to pick up your prescription from the surgery. (Please allow extra time for any possible delays with the postal service).
Pharmacy Ordering/Collection Service
Doon Valley and Boots Patna Pharmacies offer a prescription collection service from our Practice.They can also order your medication on your behalf. This saves you time and unnecessary visits to the Practice. Please contact the pharmacy of your choice for more information if you wish to use this service.
Phone
Please call our Prescription Line on 01292 438855, this line is open 24 hours, 7 days per week to all patients to leave a message to request their medication.
Medication reviews
The Doctors and Pharmacists at the Practice regularly review the medication you are taking. This may involve changes to your tablets, in accordance with current Health Board policies. Please be reassured that this will not affect your treatment. We may sometimes call you in for a medication review and this may involve blood tests. It is very important that you attend these appointments, as it keeps you safe whilst taking medication.
Non-Repeat Items (Acute Requests)
Non Repeat Prescriptions known as “Acute” prescriptions are medicines that have been issued by the Doctor but not added to your repeat prescription records. This is normally a new medication issued for a trial period and may require a review visit with your Doctor prior to being added onto your repeat prescription records.
Some medications are recorded as acute as they require to be closely monitored by the Doctor. Examples include many anti-depressants, drugs of potential abuse or where the prescribing is subject to legal or clinical restrictions or special criteria. If this is the case with your medicine, you may not always be issued with a repeat prescription until you have consulted with your Doctor again.
Hospital and Community Requests
When you are discharged from Hospital you should normally receive seven days supply of medication.
On receipt of your discharge medication, which will be issued to you by the Hospital, please contact the Surgery to provide them with this information before your supply of medication has run out.
Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by a prescribing clinician first, and if necessary a prescribing clinician will provide you with a prescription on request.
Additional Requests of Repeat Medication
A Scottish home and Health Department circular from 1971 clarifies the position on prescribing for patients going abroad for extended periods. It states:-
“If a patient intends to go away for a longer period(than two to three week’s holiday) he/she may not be regarded as a resident of this country and would not be entitled to the benefits of the National Health Service…. It may not be in the patient’s best interest for him/her to continue to self-medication over such longer periods…. If a patient is going abroad for a long period, he/she should be prescribed sufficient drugs to meet his/her requirements only until such time as he can place himself/herself in the care of a doctor at his/her destination.”
Where ongoing medical attention is not necessary, the patient may be given a private prescription.
