Prescriptions

The quickest and easiest way to order repeat medication is via the NHS APP or Patient Access.

• Check how many days of medication you have left before ordering your medication.
• Order repeat medication from your GP practice when you have 7 days of medication left.
• It usually takes the GP practice 2 working days to issue a prescription.
• Once the pharmacy receives the prescription it can take them 48 hours to prepare it.
• Remember to only order the medication that’s needed for the month.
• It’s not necessary to order medication every month for it to stay on repeat prescription.
• Speak to your pharmacy or GP Practice to organise for the prescription to be sent electronically.
• Please speak to your GP practice if you are unable to order repeat medication yourself, and don’t have someone else to help.

Further information is available at: https://www.wirralccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/how-to-order-repeat-prescriptions-in-wirral/

Ways to order your prescription

>The best way to order your medication is by registering with the NHS app or Patient Access. If you would like to register for online services, simply come in to reception with a form of photo ID and we will print off your log in details for you. For more information about the NHS app Click here

>If you are taking regular medication we will give you a computer slip listing your medication. When you next require a prescription, mark the items you need then post it in to the red prescriptions box in reception. We can not take prescription requests over the phone.

>You can also send it with a stamped addressed envelope.

>You can order your prescriptions via our website on our Ordering Medication page.

>Alternatively, you can email your prescription request to us at: cmicb-wi.spitalsurgeryprescriptionrequests@nhs.net

Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

Emergency Prescriptions

If you are running out of medication while we are closed, for example over a bank holiday weekend, you can order an emergency supply of medication by going online to https://111.nhs.uk/

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge. From 1st April 2023:

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
• 3-month PPC: £31.25
• The recently introduced HRT PPC will cost £19.30. Go to https://www.gov.uk/get-a-ppc/hrt-ppc to apply for your HRT prepayment certificate.
• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public – Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website. View these by clicking on this link: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/who-can-get-free-prescriptions/

Moving Abroad

If you are going to be abroad for more than 3 months then you are entitled to a sufficient supply of regular medications for pre-existing conditions, to get to your destination and find an alternative supply of that medication. Patients should check on arrangements for obtaining prescribed medications in the country they intend to visit before leaving the UK.

There is no explicit time limit on prescriptions for patients travelling abroad, but as patients would normally be removed from a GP’s list if absent for 3 months or more it is expected that prescriptions would not exceed 3 months. When doctors prescribe a drug, they are clinically and legally responsible for any results of that decision to prescribe. In view of this, it would not be considered good clinical practice for a doctor to prescribe large amounts of drugs to a patient going abroad for an extended period of time.

For information from NHS Choices about moving abroad, please see: Moving Abroad- Planning for your healthcare