Prescriptions

Important: Prescribing medicines

The NHS Suffolk & North East Essex Integrated Care Board requires the practice to recommend patients purchase any medication which is available over the counter.

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

  • using the GP online system: SystmOnline
  • using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

When ordering online, please tick the corresponding boxes, giving as much information as possible, i.e. strength and dosage. If you cannot see the medication you are trying to order, please ask a prescription question.

You can also:

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the telephone or via email.

Collecting your prescription

Information:

You can usually collect your prescription 3 working days after you have ordered it and remember to take in to account weekends and bank holidays.

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.

Nearly all prescriptions are now sent as electronic tokens to your chosen pharmacy via the Electronic Prescription Service. When ordering your medication, please specify your chosen destination for your prescription.

SystmOnline is set up to send your prescription to the pharmacy your it was most recently sent to, or if no pharmacy is indicated, a paper token will be available for collection from reception. If you would like to specify a pharmacy or nominate a new pharmacy to collect your prescription from, please complete our nominate a pharmacy online form.

Questions about your prescription

If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.

The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

Medication reviews

We are keen to ensure that patients with ongoing medical conditions or problems are monitored regularly. We advise patients attend regular reviews of your medication when invited. These reviews are usually held annually. We cannot issue further medication until a review has been completed.

Medication reviews are conducted by our pharmacists. They are mostly held as telephone consultations to discuss your medication, your understanding of the medication, your usage of your medication and it is also an opportunity for you to raise any concerns you have to the clinician about your medication.

Prescription charges

View the current cost of NHS prescriptions on the NHS website.

You can also find out if you are entitled to free prescriptions.

What to do with old medicines

Medicines that are past their expiry date, or are no longer required, can be taken to any pharmacy to be disposed of safely. You can also recycle your inhalers so return them to your local pharmacy too. Do not put medication in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

About pharmacists

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists 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 (nhs.uk)

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.