Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The best way to order your medication is online via the NHS app. You can download the NHS app free via your app store. Once you are registered you just need to click on ‘Request repeat prescriptions’ and your repeat medication will be available to order.

This user guide shows you how to order your repeat prescription via the NHS App.

You can also order medication by completing the tear-off slip from your last prescription, or completing our request form at the front desk and then posting it into the red prescriptions box in reception.

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

Once the practice has processed your request it will be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy. You can check the status of your request on the NHS App or by calling the surgery on 0151 643 6700. Please allow up to 7 days following receipt, for new medication requests following hospital outpatient appointments.

We do not accept prescription requests over the phone, for reasons of safeguarding patient safety.

You can place your order when you have no more than 7 days’ supply left. We recommend that you order at least two working days before you are due to run out.

To order Acute medication (medication that is not on your repeat list, but you have had before), you can submit an admin request on PATCHS, please see our user guide or complete the request form at the front desk.

Prescriptions for new medication can only be issued following consultation with the Doctor, please submit a Patchs request.

Urgent Prescription Requests

Due to increasing numbers of patients requesting their prescription on an urgent basis, the practice has initiated an Urgent Prescription Policy

• Requests for prescriptions outside the normal prescription protocol impacts significantly on both doctors, and administration staff time as well as increasing the risk of a medication prescribing error.
• Unless a medication is clinically urgent, requests will be processed routinely (over 2 working days).
• As a surgery, we require a minimum of 2 working days to process a patients request for medication routinely.

Please respect our staff

• Our reception and administrative staff must follow this policy, and they are not authorised to make exceptions.
• Staff are not allowed to interrupt the duty GP during surgery.
• This policy is put in place to protect our patients and our staff, and we will not tolerate abuse to our staff as they are following policy.

Many medications can safely be missed for a few days.

• Urgent prescription requests are requests for emergency medication which are needed within 24 hours to prevent the patient from becoming seriously ill or experiencing adverse side effects from stopping suddenly.
• Urgent prescription requests are not requests for medication which have been ordered late as it is the patient’s responsibility to ensure that repeat prescription requests are ordered in time.
• This will ensure safe prescribing and optimise access to the clinical team.

If you forget to order your repeat medication and run out of important medicines, you may be able to get help from a Pharmacy.

• Under the Urgent Provision of Repeat Medication Service, Pharmacists may be able to supply you with a further repeat of a previously repeated medicine, without having to get a prescription from your GP.
• If you have run out of important medication, telephone your usual Pharmacy to check that they offer this service; if they don’t, they may either direct you to a pharmacy who does provide it, or recommend 111 where you can request details of a local Pharmacy that provides the service.
• If your medication falls under our Urgent Medication Policy  please call us once you have requested it so that we can inform the medication that it is urgent.

Holiday Medication

• Holidays are generally booked in advance, therefore you should have plenty of time to request your medications in advance allowing the usual 2 days for the prescription to be processed.
• We can provide a maximum of 3 months medication if you are to be out of the country, although this may not be appropriate or safe for all patients. On occasion we may require documentation to support this request.
• We aren’t able to provide emergency prescriptions for holiday medication.

What if I have a query related to my medication?

Medication queries can be discussed with our Medicines Management Team by calling us on 0151 643 6700

Medication Reviews

A clinician will review your regular medication on an annual basis. You do not need to attend for the medication review. Following the review, if appropriate, you may be asked to attend an appointment to discuss your medication, or to have any relevant tests such as blood test and blood pressure check.

Pharmacy services

Do you have a minor illness or ailment? You may be able treat your symptoms at home.

Your local pharmacy or chemist can provide you with expert advice for free.

Many pharmacies even have private consultation rooms and are open in the evenings and weekends. Check with your local pharmacy for their opening hours.

Pharmacists can advise on how to treat the following:

• Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) – Women between 16-64 years
• Shingles Adults – Adults between 18 years and over
• Impetigo (non-bullous) – Adults and children 1 year and over
• Infected insect bites – Adults and children 1 year and over
• Acute sore throat – Adults and children 5 years and over
• Acute sinusitis – Adults and children 12 years and over
• Acute otitis media – Children 1-17 years

If your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to see your GP instead.

Find a local pharmacy