Changes to ordering repeat prescriptions

Posted on March 1st, 2019

Important changes to repeat prescription ordering

Following on from two successful pilots, we are working with NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group to change the way repeat prescriptions are ordered for our practice.

These changes mean that if you are a registered patient with us, you will no longer be able to order repeat prescriptions at the pharmacies that dispense for us and instead you will be required to order your repeat prescription directly from us at the practice.

These changes will start from the 20th March 2019

This means that from the 20th March 2019 if you have your repeat prescriptions ordered by a pharmacy on your behalf, you’ll need to change the way you order your repeat medicines.

One way to order your repeat prescription is to use the tear off slip on the right-hand side of your prescription and drop it into your practice.

We ask you to only order medicine when needed. Please check how many days’ medicine you have before ordering a new prescription. Please don’t order until you have 7 to 10 days of medicines left. It takes the surgery 2 working days to issue a prescription.

Alternately, you may find the easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via online ordering. Please contact the surgery if you require further information about online ordering. You can also find How to Guides about accessing online GP services by visiting NHS England’s website www.nhs.uk and search ‘GP online services’.

Some patients may be exempt from the changes. If you require pharmacy managed repeat prescriptions, you can still order through the pharmacy. Please ask at reception if you are unsure if you require pharmacy managed repeat prescriptions

We know that change can bring challenges. Change is something that may be daunting, but it is necessary to ensure that we monitor and control medicines more closely for the benefit of patient safety.

We also have a duty to obtain good quality, safe and cost-effective services for the people of Warrington. Unused prescription medicines cost the NHS across the UK over £300 million every year.

You can help reduce this cost by taking responsibility for managing your own medicines effectively through:

• Having a regular medicine review with our Clinical Pharmacist
• Not ordering a medicine just because it’s on your repeat prescription. If you don’t need the medicine, please don’t order it. If you need the medicine again in the future you can still request it

For more information, please speak to a member of the reception team.

Frequently asked questions

What are repeat prescriptions?

Many patients have a ‘repeat prescription’, meaning that they can regularly receive certain medications without having to see their doctor each time. Some people choose to order repeat prescriptions themselves and others choose to use a pharmacy to order their medications on their behalf.

What is changing?
The way repeat prescriptions are ordered is changing. You will have to order your repeat prescription from the practice yourself.  This will only affect you if your medicines are ordered on your behalf by a community pharmacy.

Where and when is this happening?

This is being implemented in stages in several practices across Warrington. Starting in our practice from the 2oth March 2019

What is not changing?

If you already order repeat prescriptions from the practice yourself, you will not be affected and do not need to take any action.

Also, the ordering of appliances direct from suppliers will not be changing i.e. stoma bags, catheters.

What do I need to do?
If you have your repeat prescriptions ordered by a pharmacy on your behalf, you’ll need to change the way you order your repeat medicines.

One way to order your repeat prescription is to use the tear off slip on the right-hand side of your prescription and drop it into your practice.

We ask you to only order medicine when needed. Please check how many days’ medicine you have before ordering a new prescription. Please don’t order until you have 7 to 10 days of medicines left. It takes the surgery 2 working days to issue a prescription and you also need to allow time for the pharmacy to dispense your medicines.

Alternately, you may find the easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via online ordering. Please contact the surgery if you require further information about online ordering. You can also find How to Guides about accessing online GP services by visiting NHS England’s website www.nhs.uk and search ‘GP online services’.

Can I order my repeat prescription over the phone?

Unfortunately, the practice are not able to take prescription requests over the phone.  To avoid disappointment please do not ring the practice to request your repeat prescription.

What are the benefits to ordering my repeat prescription online?
If you order your repeat prescriptions online via online GP services, you can be in control of ordering your medicines and nominate a pharmacy to collect your prescription from or get it delivered to you. Additionally, if you are registered for online GP services you can book GP appointments at the click of a button.

Also, if individual family members sign up to online GP services, you can all order your medicines and have them sent to the same pharmacy.  One person can then collect all the orders.

Why is this happening?

This is safer and more efficient. This change will mean that your GP has a better ability to monitor and control what medicines you do and do not use. This will help your discussions about choosing the right medication.

The change will also help address a safety concern. Under the old system, some patients found that they began to build up a stock of unused medicine, which had to be stored safely and used within date. The new system will give you more control.

Finally, it is important that NHS money is used as efficiently as possible. We aim to save a large amount of money on unused medicines, money we will use to benefit the health of the people of Warrington.

I am not a healthcare professional, why should I take responsibility for my medication?
People have a key role in protecting their own health, choosing appropriate treatments and managing long-term conditions. Self-management is a term used to include all the actions taken by people to recognise, treat and manage their own health.

Taking control and responsibility for your health and any medication you take, gives you confidence to encourage healthy behaviours that help prevent ill health in the long-term.

Are there any exemptions to the change?

Yes.  Some patients may be exempt and still require pharmacy managed repeat prescriptions and can still order through their pharmacy.  Please ask at reception for more information regarding this.

My family and I are on repeat prescriptions – how can I avoid multiple trips to the pharmacy for collections?
You can reduce the number of visits to the pharmacy by having a regular medication review with the Clinical Pharmacist in the surgery. They can talk with you about the medication that is on your repeat prescription and advise you if any changes could and should be made. By having this review, you can also ask for your medicines to be synchronised with the prescriptions of your partner or relatives to reduce the number of visits to the pharmacy for collections

How can I sign up to online GP services?

Take photo ID (passport or driving licence etc.) to the surgery and speak to a receptionist, tell them you want to start using online services. Once you have signed up, you will receive a letter with your unique details and instructions on how to log in. You will also need a valid email adress to use online services.

NHS England have created a series of How to Guides about accessing online GP services. To view these (including easy read versions) please visit: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/gps/gp-online-services/

How do I get more help understanding this change and what do I do if I’m worried about someone I know not being able to cope with this change?

If you feel you might need support ordering your repeat prescription or you know someone who might need help, please speak to a member of staff at the surgery.

I have a comment or query – what do I do?
If you have a comment or query you can call NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group’s Patient Experience Team on (Freephone) 0800 389 6973 or on 01925 843 743. You can also write to our Patient Experience Team via: NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group, Arpley House, 110 Birchwood Boulevard, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 7QH. Alternatively, you can email  complaints.nhswarringtonccg@nhs.net