ORDERING THE PRESCRIPTION.
It is practice policy that we must have 48 hours notice for repeat prescription requests. When a request for a repeat prescription arrives at the practice, please inform the patient that the prescription will be ready in 48 hours. Patients should request scripts at least two working days in advance of when the script is needed.
Patients must be informed that prescriptions handed in on Friday will not be ready until Tuesday due to staff not being here at the weekend.
The tick-slip - the computer-generated right-hand-side of the script should be used to order the prescription, the patient ticking the boxes of all the items required. If no boxes are ticked, the patient should be contacted to confirm which items are required, before the script is generated
Telephone prescription requests should be avoided if at all possible, as there is more potential for more errors to occur. Housebound patients should request their carers to order their prescriptions if at all possible. A list of patients who may request their repeat prescription over the telephone is displayed in reception. However in extreme emergencies a telephone request for any patient may be appropriate.
Requests for repeats are only taken using the tick slip. If the patient does not have their tick-slip, the surgery should print a tick-slip from the computer. Only items required for the following month should be ordered to avoid stock-piling.
Patients requesting items which are not on their repeat tick-slip should submit a written request on a form provided by the receptionist.
The patient or their carer only should make requests. Pharmacies should not order on behalf of their patients, except in specific rare circumstances.
Patients can send in a stamped addressed envelope with their request and this will be forwarded to them.
