Prescriptions & Medication Reviews

Is your chemist open at Christmas?

Please allow 2 full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

Repeat Prescriptions

Patients on regular or long term medications may be issued with repeat prescriptions without seeing the doctor each time. A form listing these prescriptions accompanies each repeat prescription. You may re-order these by either:

• Ticking the appropriate item (s) and returning this in person or by posting it back to the surgery.
• Telephone 0191 300 9889 from 07.30 to 18.00 on Mondays and Thursdays. Then from 08.30 to 18.00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays.
• Online - To order a repeat prescription online, come and visit us and ask reception how to register for Patient Access. We will be happy to help.

Non-Repeat Prescriptions

Unfortunately, doctors are generally unable to issue prescriptions for medication which you have never had or which you have had but are not currently on your repeat medication list. Should you require medications in these situations, you will need to make an appointment with a doctor, unless the medicine has been initiated by another doctor in hospital, is intended for continuation and the surgery has been provided with information about this. In these circumstances, it is helpful if you can bring to the surgery the medicines box you already have, or any letters from the hospital with the medicines information, just in case the practice has not yet received this information.

Urgent Requests

At least 48 hours notice is required for repeat prescriptions. However, if the request is urgent, we will deal with it as soon as possible.

Telephone Requests

If ordering by telephone, please ensure you have the names of the medication(s) so that the staff can process your request accurately.

Postal Requests

We are happy to post out your prescription to you providing you supply us with stamped addressed envelopes.

Collection by Local Chemists

Some local chemists collect prescriptions on behalf of patients. Please contact your local chemist and ask if they take part in this scheme.

Controlled Drugs

Certain medications must be signed for when collected. We ask that anyone collecting a prescription on your behalf gives us your full name, address and date of birth.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will have their medications reviewed by a doctor or practice nurse at least once a year.

If you are over 65 and are on 4 or more medicines, doctors will need to review your medications every six months. This usually means a dedicated appointment with the doctor.

The date by which your medication review is due is stated on the right hand side of your prescription. Please ensure you make an appointment for a medication review with your doctor before this date.

Please note some patients will need to have blood tests before their review with their doctor.