Ordering repeat prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions can be given for medications taken regularly, usually on a monthly basis. These are issued together with a computer slip giving details of how many times you may re-order or the review date. Whichever of these comes first is the point at which you must make an appointment to see a doctor or nurse practitioner before a further prescription can be issued.
SystmOnline
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:
- Via the NHS APP
- Using our online services (SystmOnline)
- Bringing or posting your completed slip to the dispensary
- Emailing us at nwicb.staithe.dispensary@nhs.net
- Managed repeats service
- Contact the practice by submitting a new request below
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone.
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.
You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.
You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:
- on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
- at your GP practice
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
Our Dispensary is open between 8:45am- 12:30pm. We close for two hours over the lunch period. Then we are open again from 2:30pm-5:30pm, Monday- Friday (Excluding Bank Holidays)
24 Hour Medicines Collection Machine
Our medicines collection machine is located at the front of our building and is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can collect your medicines at a time that suits you.
It’s extremely easy to use:
1. Order your prescription in the usual way
2. When your prescription is ready to collect, you will receive a text message with a unique collection code
3. Visit the surgery within 3 days of receiving the text and collect your prescription from the machine. It’s simple to use – just follow the on-screen instructions.
Managed repeats – if you use the machine to collect, please select your medicines for the following month on your prescription that is dispensed with your medicines and place this in the post box beside the machine.
There will be some medicines, such as fridge items and controlled drugs that we will be unable to put in the machine, but if this is the case, we will inform you.
It is important that you inform us immediately of any change to your mobile number.
To use this service please speak to a member of the dispensary team or complete the sign-up form here:
Dispensary
Patients living within 1 mile of a chemist have to obtain their medicines from there. Those living more than one mile away may choose to have their medicines dispensed at the surgery.
Dispensary Queries
If you have a query with regards to your medication, please contact us on 01692 582023. The query line is open Monday to Friday, between 14:00-17:00pm (excluding bank holidays).
Medication Reviews
If you are due a medication review or have been asked to complete a medication review form, please click here to complete the form.
Managed Repeats Service
Would you like to us to manage your repeat medications for you? We can offer you a service whereby when you pick up your prescription, you can tell us what you need for the following month and we will give you a date to pick it up, rather than you needing to reorder.
Even if we are unable to dispense to you, we can assist you by sending your repeat prescription to the local pharmacy of your choice. We have daily pick up services from Boots in Stalham.
To sign up for this service or for further information, please enquire with the dispensary.
Prescription charges
Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).
What to do with old medicines
Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it 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.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
Fear of Flying
Staithe Surgery does not prescribe benzodiazepines for fear of flying
We are often asked to prescribe benzodiazepines (e.g diazepam, temazepam, lorazepam) for fear of flying. We have agreed a practice policy that we will no longer prescribe these drugs for fear of flying. There are several good reasons why prescribing benzodiazepines for this purpose is not deemed safe and is no longer recommended and we have taken to decision to put our patients’ safety first and will no longer issue prescriptions for these reasons:
- Benzodiazepines such as Diazepam and other sedative drugs are no longer recommended for treatment of phobias because other treatments are safer and more effective.
- Benzodiazepines are sedating, which means it makes you sleepy and slows reaction times. If there is an emergency during a flight, it may affect your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. This could have serious safety consequences for you and others.
- The sedative effects of these drugs can affect breathing and cause low oxygen levels, which could be life threatening, especially with the lower circulating oxygen levels on an aeroplane, in people with breathing problems or when combined with alcohol.
- Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however this is not a natural sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep and this can increase your risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in your leg or lung. Blood clots are dangerous and can be fatal. This risk is greater if your flight is longer than four hours.
- Whilst most people find medicines such as diazepam sedating, a small number of people become agitated, aggressive or confused. These medicines can also cause disinhibition and lead to abnormal behaviours. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers.
- According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (British National Formulary) diazepam is not recommended in treating phobic states. It also states that “the use of benzodiazepines to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate.” Your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety.
- NICE guidelines suggest that these medications are only advised for the short term use for a crisis in generalised anxiety disorder in which case a person is not fit to fly. Fear of flying in isolation is not a generalised anxiety disorder.
We recognise that fear of flying is real and frightening and we don’t underestimate the impact it can have. There is lots of information from the aviation industry on fear of flying, and most major airlines offer courses for fear of flying. You may find some of the links below useful:
