Repeat prescriptions allow you to obtain further supplies of your regular medications without needing to see a GP every time.  The following procedures should be used to request medications that a GP has added to your repeat prescription list - you will be told when we have done this.  They should not be used to request a further issue of an acute (one-off) prescription.

The majority of our repeat prescriptions are for either 56 or 28 days, in accordance with the Sefton Prescribing Policy.  Some exceptions to this are as follows:

  • There is a good clinical reason why the prescriptions should be less than 28 days, e.g. medication doses are being changed frequently or there is a patient compliance issue... 7 or 14 day prescriptions may be appropriate
  • Prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy & contraceptive pills, where the medications usually come in 84 day packs... 168 day prescriptions may be appropriate if the patient's monitoring is up to date;
  • A patient is going on holiday abroad... up to 84 days of medication may be prescribed, according to current NHS guidelines (our receptionists will arrange an appropriate number of prescriptions).

All patients who are prescribed repeat medications will be given a medication review date of 'the 28th day of their birth month'.  For patients on more than four repeat medications, please arrange an appointment at the surgery for a medication review in the month of your birthday.  For other patients, a GP may be able to review your medications without an appointment, as long as any critical monitoring of your medications is up to date.  If a medication review date has been exceeded, we may not be able to issue your repeat prescription.

How To Request a Repeat Prescription - the Old Way

The old way of requesting repeat prescriptions is to do so in writing - either by completing your tick slip & handing it in at reception (or posting it into our letter box), attending the surgery to complete our request form, or emailing your request to the practice (some care homes may do this).

We regret that for safety reasons, we do not accept repeat prescription requests by telephone unless a patient is completely housebound.  Furthermore, we are unable to accept repeat prescription requests made on your behalf by your pharmacy, unless a patient is receiving their medication in blister packs.

Repeat prescriptions normally take up to two complete working days to process.  However, there are a number of clinical issues that might delay a repeat prescription - for example:

  • A patient safety issue is identified;
  • A medication review is overdue;
  • A chronic disease review is overdue;
  • Any critical medication monitoring is not up to date;
  • A minimum time interval between prescriptions has been breached.

Having Your Prescriptions Sent Electronically to a Pharmacy

We would encourage all patients to sign up for the Electronic Prescriptions Service (EPS) as this allows us to send your repeat prescriptions directly to a pharmacy... no more needing to attend the surgery to collect your prescription, take it to the pharmacy and wait in line for them to prepare it!

Almost all prescriptions for medications can be sent by the EPS, and this now includes controlled drugs.  Since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force, there is a potential issue with third parties collecting prescriptions on your behalf - the EPS conveniently gets around this issue.

Most local pharmacies now offer a home delivery service too, making it even easier for you to obtain your repeat medications.  So please sign up today by visiting your preferred pharmacy or asking our reception staff to set your EPS pharmacy nomination... it is that easy!

Requesting Your Prescriptions Online

We would encourage all patients who are able to, to download and register for the NHS App as this allows you to request your repeat prescriptions more efficiently from the comfort of your own home... no more trying to find your tick slip or having to attend the surgery to complete our request form!

If you do not own a smartphone or tablet, you can still sign up for and use Patient Access Online Services to request your repeat prescriptions instead.  To begin the registration process, please call the practice or visit us in person, and our receptionists will advise you of the next step to take.  You will need to provide proof of your identity so please bring along photographic ID and proof of your address.  Once we have supplied you with a registration letter you can return to the Patient Access Website to complete the registration process - just click Register at the top right hand corner of the home page and follow the on screen instructions.  If you have any difficulties with the website please contact their Support Centre.