Request a Repeat Prescription

 

Use the NHS App or NHS website to order your prescription

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Use the NHS App

Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.

The simplest and quickest way to order your repeat medication is by using the NHS App which links directly to your Prescription record at the Practice.

DOWNLOAD THE NHS APP

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Online Form

If you're not registered with The NHS App, you can use our online form

If you don't use the NHS App, you can still order your repeat prescription via our online Repeat Prescription form. No account required.

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Your Local Pharmacy

Pharmacies offer a prescription collection service

Pharmacy Ordering / Collection Service

Your pharmacy 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.

FIND A PHARMACY

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In Person to Beckett House Practice

You can order in person by returning the right-hand half of a previous prescription for the required medications

Alternatively,  you can submit a handwritten request. You may also write out an order for someone else, providing you include the patient’s name and date of birth and requested medication.

 

Your Repeat Prescription

You can collect your repeat prescription from your pharmacy 2 working days after requesting it.  

Our practice uses Electronic Prescriptions. You can nominate a pharmacy and we will send the prescription to them.  

You can help us by ordering online and using the NHS App. Prescriptions take longer to process if your written information is not clear or does not match your medical record. 

Repeat prescriptions are convenient, but we have to make sure you are using your medicine safely and we review every request. Your request will not be granted automatically.  

Some medications are not available on repeat prescription. The doctor or nurse will tell you if your medicine can be on repeat prescription. 

 

Non-repeat items (acute requests)

Non-repeat ‘acute’ prescriptions are medicines that are not authorised to for repeat. This might be a new medication that needs a review, or a medicine we have to check closely. This includes many anti-depressants, drugs of potential abuse or special items. If this is the case you may need to see the doctor to get a new prescription.  

 

Medication Reviews

We review all patients on repeat medicines at least once a year. Some medicines need more regular reviews and blood tests. We will tell you when a review is due. If you do not have your review, we will give you a smaller amount of medicine each time, until your review is complete. 

Medication reviews are undertaken by our pharmacists or GPs. They are usually over the telephone, but can be face-to-face. Our nurses will also review medications in diabetes or asthma clinics.  

Please tell your GP or pharmacist if you’ve stopped taking your medicine. 

GPs and pharmacists understand that sometimes people struggle with taking their medicines. You may worry about side effects or you may not want to take a medicine if you think it isn’t helping you. We are here to help you. 

 

Lost or stolen controlled medications

Controlled medications are drugs that are regulated by the government for their manufacture, possession or use, because of the potential for abuse or addiction.

You have an important role in keeping your medicine secure and safely out of reach of others. If your controlled medication is lost or stolen, you must report it to the police.

You should obtain a crime reference number or log number from the police and provide this to the surgery when informing us about the incident.

We will not automatically replace lost or stolen controlled medication       

We will document the loss or theft in your medical records, along with the police log number.

  • The GP will review the case to decide if a replacement prescription is appropriate.  The decision will depend on the specific circumstances and the need to ensure safe prescribing.
  •  We may change how often you can order prescriptions or reduce the amount of medicine you get each time, especially if you lose them more than once.

This policy is in place to ensure the safe and responsible prescribing of controlled drugs.

 

Frequently Asked Questions


What is a repeat prescription?

A repeat prescription is a medicine that your doctor has authorised on your record so it can be supplied for a certain period without needing an appointment each time. Repeat prescriptions are usually authorised for 3 to 12 months, depending on the medicine.

Some medicines cannot be placed on repeat prescription. This may be because:

  • They are only needed for a short course (e.g. antibiotics).
  • The dose is still being adjusted.
  • A medication review is due.

Your doctor may stop a medicine if a review is overdue — this is to make sure your medication is still correct, safe, and effective.


How do I order a repeat prescription?

The simplest and quickest way is through the NHS App, which links directly to your prescription record. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy — there’s no need to collect them from the practice.


Why can’t I request my medicines over the phone?

For safety reasons, we cannot take prescription requests by telephone. Medicine names and doses can be easily misheard, which risks errors. Requests must be made by:


How long does it take to get my prescription?

Please allow 48 working hours (2 working days) for the practice to process your request. Your pharmacy may need extra time to prepare the medicine.


Why has the doctor given me a small supply of my medicines?

This usually means a medication review is needed. We usually give warnings if you are due a review and only give a short supply if you have not made an appointment. Please request an appointment online for your medication review, or call reception who can help you complete a request form.


Can I request medication early (e.g. for travel)?

Yes — if you are going away, please let us know when you make your request. A GP will review and authorise it.

  • We cannot provide more than 3 months’ supply at a time.
  • NHS prescriptions cannot be issued for patients who are abroad. If you run out of medicine overseas, you’ll need to seek local medical care.

Can Beckett House Practice prescribe for me or a relative whilst abroad?

The NHS will only supply medicines for short trips abroad (up to 3 months).
We cannot provide ongoing NHS prescriptions to patients outside the UK.
If you are abroad for more than 3 months, you must register with a local healthcare provider. Please make sure you have suitable travel insurance.

Useful contacts:


How do I get more of a medicine the hospital gave me?

If the hospital started you on a new medicine, they should provide enough to last until your GP receives a letter from them. We can only prescribe once we have the hospital’s instructions.

If you are running short:

  • Check your hospital discharge or clinic letter
  • Contact the hospital pharmacy or clinic
  • Let us know once you have paperwork from the hospital

We cannot prescribe hospital-initiated medicines until we have clear instructions from the specialist team.


Can I get a private prescription?

Yes. The practice can issue private prescriptions. A fee of £20 applies (plus the pharmacy cost of the medicine).
Please note:

  • Your GP can only prescribe medicines they believe are safe, clinically appropriate, and within their professional competence.
  • They must follow the same prescribing standards whether the prescription is NHS or private.
  • Some medicines may need to remain under the care of a specialist and cannot be prescribed by your GP.

How should I dispose of unwanted medication?

Please return out-of-date or unused medicines to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not put medicines in the bin, burn them, or flush them down the toilet.


What if my medicine is out of stock?

Your pharmacy will try to source the medicine or suggest an alternative. If needed, they will contact us for advice.


Can sickness or diarrhoea affect my medicines?

  • Vomiting within 30 minutes of taking a tablet means the dose has almost certainly not been absorbed.
  • Vomiting within 3 hours may also affect absorption, though it’s harder to be precise.
  • Diarrhoea or vomiting can reduce the effectiveness of some medicines, especially the contraceptive pill. If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pill, take another straight away.

Why does my medicine have different names?

Many medicines have:

  • A brand name (given by the company that made it)
  • A generic name (the active ingredient)

Example: Sildenafil is the generic name, Viagra is the brand name.

The NHS often uses generics because they are just as effective but much cheaper.


Where can I find reliable information about my medicine?

  • Ask your community pharmacist or our practice clinical pharmacist.
  • Check the NHS Medicines A–Z for clear, clinically assured advice on over 200 medicines.

Which medicines can I buy without a prescription?

  • Many medicines for minor illnesses (e.g. painkillers, cough remedies) can be bought in supermarkets or pharmacies or may be available to some people free as part of the Pharmacy First scheme.
  • Some medicines (e.g. eyedrops, emergency contraception) require a pharmacist’s supervision and are only available from behind the pharmacy counter.
  • Prescription-only medicines (e.g. antibiotics) must be prescribed by a qualified health professional.

If you choose to buy medicines online, make sure the pharmacy is registered with the GPhC and the online doctor service is registered with the CQC and GMC.


Is my medicine safe?

All medicines are carefully checked by the MHRA before approval. Monitoring continues once medicines are in use, and they can be withdrawn if serious safety issues arise.

You can report side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme (also on behalf of someone you care for).

Further Information

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