Repeat prescriptions will be issued at the doctors’ discretion and are normally for patients on long term treatment. Prescription requests can be made as follows:
- Online via:
- Post the request through one of our three letter boxes.
We are unable to take orders or issue prescriptions at weekends, public holidays or out of normal surgery hours.
We do not take prescription requests over the telephone.
In most cases the length of time from requesting a prescription at the surgery to availability for collection from the surgery is 48 hours (excluding weekends and bank holidays). Please allow extra time if collecting from a pharmacy(please ask at your pharmacy for further details).
Where possible please give exact drug names when ordering.
Please be aware we are unable to take prescription requests over the telephone.
Electronic Prescription Service
A new way to get your medicines and appliances
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service. It gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the place you choose to get your medicines or appliances from.
What does this mean for you?
If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, saving you time.
You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop.
You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be time for your repeat prescriptions to be ready before you arrive.
Is this service right for you?
Yes, if you have a stable condition and you:
- don’t want to go to your GP practice every time to collect your repeat prescription.
- collect your medicines from the same place most of the time or use a prescription collection service now.
It may not be if you:
- don’t get prescriptions very often.
- pick up your medicines from different places.
How can you use EPS?
You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called 'nomination'
You can choose:
- a pharmacy.
- a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one).
- your dispensing GP practice (if you are eligible).
Ask any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS or your GP practice to add your nomination for you. You don’t need a computer to do this.
Can I change my nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription?
Yes you can. If you don’t want your prescription to be sent electronically tell your GP. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or your GP practice. Tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.
Is EPS reliable, secure and confidential?
Yes. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.
Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser. Dispensers will also see all the items on your reorder slip if you are on repeat prescriptions.
For more information visit www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/pharmacies/electronic-prescription-service/, your pharmacy or GP practice.
Electronic Prescription Service Poster (PDF, 65KB)
NHS charges
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.
Click here for details of the current charges
If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a pre payment certificate.
- The quickest way to order a PPC is online - Buy or Renew a PPC Online
- If you need help buying a PPC, call us on 0300 330 1341
There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website
Medication reviews
If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. Please book a routine appointment for your review.
Questions about your prescription
If you have questions about your medicine or your prescription please contact the surgery.
Your local pharmacists can also answer any questions about your prescription. They can answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.
Find a pharmacy
Click here for the NHS Medicines A to Z
About pharmacists
As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:
- Coughs
- Colds
- Sore throats
- Tummy trouble
- Aches and pains
They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.
Find a pharmacy
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.
Changes to Paracetamol Prescribing
In 2015/16 West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group spent almost £500,000 on prescribed paracetamol, however paracetamol is readily available to buy at pharmacies and other retailers at a very low cost.
When should I use a pharmacy or other retailers for paracetamol?
You should think about going to a pharmacy or other retailers for paracetamol instead of your GP for minor ailments such as:
- Headaches/migraines
- Earache
- Colds
- Fever
- Toothache
- Cuts
- Teething
- Sinus pain congestion
- Aches and pains
- Sprains and strains
- Sore throat
- Period pain
- Bruising
Who will be able to advise me on minor ailments?
Community pharmacists are best placed to help and advise you regarding suitable treatments for minor ailments. Using your community pharmacist will save on GP appointment time and allow them to deal with more urgent problems. However if you are worried you can still make an appointment to see your GP.
For more information on taking paracetamol, please visit the NHS UK website at https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-adults/
Be prepared, keep paracetamol in your medicine cabinet at home.
What if I need paracetamol for Chronic Pain Management?
If you are taking paracetamol regularly as part of a chronic pain management plan then your GP will continue to prescribe these in the quantities appropriate for you.
To find out more about pharmacy opening times visit: www.westleicestershireccg.nhs.uk
85% say ordering prescriptions online is straightforward.
Ordering repeat prescriptions is the most actively used online service within all age groups. 60% of all people report using this service.
90% of people with long term conditions believe that ordering repeat prescriptions online is easy.
NHS England - *Source: 2016 NHS England survey by Patient Online. Data sample taken from 22,031 respondents who are currently using online services.