Please note: Reception staff are not permitted to add /print items which are not on your repeat list. Only your doctor or Nurse Prescriber can do this and may take longer to be dealt with. The doctor or Nurse Prescriber may also decline your request if medication is being over/under ordered.
Prescriptions will be ready for collection 2 working days after the request has been received, or 3 working days if collecting from a pharmacy.
How to order your medication
In person
You can do this by returning the right-hand half of a previous prescription for the required medications, or by submitting a handwritten request.
Please put this repeat prescription request in the box on the reception desk.
By post
You can post your prescription slip or written request to us at the Practice. You can include a stamped addressed envelope for return by post if you will not be able to pick up your prescription from the surgery. (Please allow extra time for any possible delays with the postal service).
Pharmacy Ordering/Collection Service
Pharmacies offer a prescription collection service from our Practice.They can also order your medication on your behalf. If you regularly use a branch of Gallaghers or Lloyds Stevenston, we can arrange for your signed prescription to be delivered to your pharmacy of choice and you can then collect your medicines directly from there. Please note that you will have to allow at least 3 working days for your prescription to be processed by us, your pharmacy and be ready for collection.
Telephone
Stevenston Prescription line 01294 464141, option 2 .The line is answered between 11am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm. Out with these times you can leave a message.
Medication reviews
The doctors at the Practice regularly review the medication you are taking. This may involve changes to your tablets, in accordance with current Health Board policies. Please be reassured that this will not affect your treatment. We may sometimes call you in for a medication review and this may involve blood tests. It is very important that you attend these appointments, as it keeps you safe whilst taking medication.
Non-Repeat Items (Acute Requests)
Non Repeat Prescriptions known as “Acute” prescriptions are medicines that have been issued by the Doctor but not added to your repeat prescription records. This is normally a new medication issued for a trial period and may require a review visit with your Doctor prior to being added onto your repeat prescription records.
Some medications are recorded as acute as they require to be closely monitored by the Doctor. Examples include many anti-depressants, drugs of potential abuse or where the prescribing is subject to legal or clinical restrictions or special criteria. If this is the case with your medicine, you may not always be issued with a repeat prescription until you have consulted with your Doctor again.
Hospital Requests
When you are discharged from hospital you should normally receive five days supply of medication.
On receipt of your medication requirements, which will be issued to you by the hospital, please bring this to the surgery or post via S.A.E. before your supply of medication has run out.
Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by the GP first, and if necessary your Doctor will issue you with a Prescription. The Practice will endeavour to issue you with your prescription on that day, but it cannot be issued until your medical details are checked by the Doctor, your prescription should normally be ready by 4pm on that day, or you may be advised to attend the next day.
Additional Requests of Repeat Medication
A Scottish home and Health Department circular from 1971 clarifies the position on prescribing for patients going abroad for extended periods. It states:-
“If a patient intends to go away for a longer period(than two to three week’s holiday) he/she may not be regarded as a resident of this country and would not be entitled to the benefits of the National Health Service…. It may not be in the patient’s best interest for him/her to continue to self-medication over such longer periods…. If a patient is going abroad for a long period, he/she should be prescribed sufficient drugs to meet his/her requirements only until such time as he can place himself/herself in the care of a doctor at his/her destination.”
Where ongoing medical attention is not necessary, the patient may be given a private prescription.
