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Repeat Prescriptions
Patients taking regular medication are usually able to obtain repeated prescriptions without having to see a doctor on each occasion. However we do regularly review all prescriptions issued. With each prescription is a computer slip listing the medications prescribed. This will also inform patients if it is likely that their prescription needs reviewing by their doctor before a further issue. We advise all patients to take note of these slips and keep them safe. For more information on prescriptions see our further information section.
You can request a repeat prescription in the following ways:
- By posting your prescription advice slip to the surgery, clearly marking the required drugs (See below for details).
- By making a request at the surgery in person.
- By making a request at your preferred pharmacy if you have joined our repeat dispensing scheme
- By using our On-line Prescription Ordering Service
Please note that in order to use this service you must first register by completing a form available at surgery reception. This service is generally not suitable for patients who take advantage of the Repeat Dispensing - By telephoning our prescription line: Hereford (01432) 351022. Please note that although a popular method, this is the most likely to lead to delay and error.
Prescriptions may be collected from the surgery or sent to a local pharmacy of your choice.
Some pharmacies operate a delivery service.
Please do allow 48 hours for prescriptions to be issued. If your medication requires authorisation then you may need to see a doctor before a further prescription is issued. Usually where this is the case, your previous prescription will have had a warning message attached see below for details
We regret we are unable to deal with prescription requests after 4.00 pm or on Saturdays. Prescription requests left at Bobblestock Surgery may take 72 hours to process.
We are now operating the repeat dispensing scheme in conjunction with local pharmacies. If you receive a regular, unchanging prescription you may be able to request your prescription direct from the pharmacy only returning to the Surgery when a review of your treatment is due. Ask your G.P. for more information.
About your prescription
The Prescription
Your computer generated prescription is made up of two sections. On the left is the
prescription itself...
- Your name and address
- Prescription drugs
- Issuing doctor
The Advice slip
...and on the right is the Prescription Advice slip
- Your name and address and reference number
- List of drug issued
- Alert message - will be present when a medication review is due - check with the surgery as you may need to see your doctor before a further prescription is authorised for issue.
- and 5. Other information messages
Paying for prescriptions
Prescription Charges
Under NHS rules you have to pay a charge for each item prescribed. The charge is currently £6.50 per item. Not all patients have to pay for their prescriptions. If a patient is are entitled to free prescriptions they will be asked to show the pharmacist proof of this. Patients exempt from payment include the following:
- Those under 16 years of age
- Those aged 16 - 18 and in full-time education
- Those over 60 years of age
- Those holding a maternity exemption certificate
- Those holding a medical exemption certificate
- Those holding a prescription prepayment certificate
- Those holding a war pension exempt certificate
- Those named on a current HC2 charges certificate
- Those prescribed free of charge contraceptives
- Those receiving Income Support
- Those receiving Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Those holding a Working Families' Tax Credit exemption certificate
- Those holding a Disabled Person's Tax Credit exemption certificate
Maternity Exemption Certificates
You are entitled to free prescriptions if you are currently pregnant or have had a baby within the past 12 months. You can apply for a Maternity Exemption Certificate using form FW8. You can get this form from the surgery. Your doctor or midwife will normally give you this form when you first attend antenatal clinic.
Medical Exemption Certificates
You can obtain a Medical Exemption certificate if you suffer from one of the conditions listed below:
- A permanent fistula (e.g. colostomy, laryngostomy) requiring continuous surgical dressing or an appliance.
- Epilepsy requiring continuous treatment.
- Diabetes Mellitus except when treated by diet alone.
- Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) requiring supplemental thyroid hormone (thyroxine).
- Hypoparathyroidism.
- Diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism.
- Hypoadrenalism requiring essential substitution therapy (e.g Addison's disease).
- Myasthenia Gravis.
- A continuous permanent physical disability which prevents the patient from going out without the help of another person.
You can apply for a Medical Exemption Certificate by obtaining form FP29A from your doctor. He/She will have to sign the form, which should then be sent to .
Prepayment Certificates
If you are not entitled to free prescriptions but receive a large amount of prescribed medication, you may wish to apply for a Pre-payment Certificate. The NHS advises patients to apply for one if they have to pay for more than 5 prescriptions in 4 months or 14 prescriptions in 12 months. The certificates last for 4 or 12 months and can be applied for by sending application form FP95 to Herefordshire Health Authority. The form is available from a main Post Office, local pharmacies and the Health Authority.
Repeat Dispensing
What is repeat dispensing?
It is a new way of getting your medicines or other prescribed items without asking your doctor for a prescription each time. If your prescription list is regular and unchanging then this is an ideal method for you. If your medicines are constantly changing in dose or type, then repeat dispensing is not a good method.
How does it work?
Your doctor will sign and give you an authorising repeat dispensing prescription along with a number of repeat dispensing issue forms. You should then take all of these to the pharmacy of your choice. The pharmacist will then issue your first prescription.
What do I do when my prescription runs out?
You should return to the pharmacy where your next issue will be dispensed.
What happens when my repeat dispensing issue forms have run out?
You should return to your doctor for review of your medication. Your pharmacist should advise you when your issue forms have run out.
Do I need to use the same pharmacy?
Yes. Most pharmacies in Hereford provide this service. If you wish to change, you will need to get a fresh authorisation and set of issues from your doctor.