Prescriptions
Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:
- using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
- using the GP online system: SystmOnline
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
You can also:
- email us at wfisher.prescriptions@nhs.net
- tick the items you require on your printed prescription form and place in the prescription box on the wall in the reception lobby.
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone.
Collecting your prescription
Our dispensary is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm (closed between 1pm and 2pm) and on Friday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. (After 5pm on Friday, please contact our receptionist for assistance.)
All queries and orders for repeat prescriptions (and collecting medication for those we dispense to) will be attended to during these times.
After 6pm, if your query can't wait until the next day or you need to urgently collect medication, please dial 111 for advice.
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
Note: There are regulations that mean we are not able to dispense to those that live within a mile (as the crow flies) of a chemist, this includes for times after your nominated chemist has closed when there are others operating for longer hours locally.
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.
If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription fill in our medication queries form from the Online Services icon on our home page.
Medication reviews
If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.
We are fortunate to have access to an experienced team of Pharmacists that conduct Medication, Asthma and COPD reviews by telephone. Although this team are not based in the surgery, they have access to and are able to contact your clinicians to inform them of decsions made between you and them regarding your medication or condition.
Most of these appointments can be arranged by contacting our Reception staff but you may also be contacted by a member of the Pharmacy team to arrange a convenient time.
Diabetic Reviews are conducted by the Practice Nurses, in most cases, annually. A good way to remember you are due your annual monitoring consultation is to aim to book it in the month of your birthday. Please remember to bring a urine sample with you.
Hypertension Reviews are also conduted at the surgery, but are not always necessary for these to be conducted at the surgery. If you have a Blood Pressure monitor at home, please send your readings to the surgery (averaged over 2 weeks). If you are taking medication to lower your blood pressure, it is important for you to have at least an annual blood test to monitor your body's reaction to the drug.
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.
Contraception Reviews
It is very important for you to have a yearly review if you have a repeat prescription for oral contraception. A contraception review is an appointment to assess your general health and discuss your current oral medication ensuring it remains safe and effective for you, These reviews involve checking for health changes, assessing risks like blood clots or cancer, and confirming if your method still suits your health and lifestyle.
Your repeats will be for a 3 months supply only and after your fourth issue, you will be informed to make an appointment with one of our clinicians for your yearly review. If you have not been able to have that review within those 3 months, we are able to issue just a further one month supply during which it is expected that you will arrange an appointment.
If your records show you have had a significant break between requests to reorder your repeat prescription, you will be required to consult with one of our clinicians before medication is issued again.
Please ensure you are using other forms of contraception as necessary if either of the above apply.
Note: some pharmacy service providers offer a contraception service https://www.england.nhs.uk/primary-care/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/nhs-pharmacy-contraception-service/
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.
Requests for prescriptions when travelling
Excess quantities of regular repeat prescriptions
Under NHS legislation, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for people when they leave the United Kingdom. However, to ensure good patient care the following guidance is offered. People travelling to Europe should be advised to apply for aGlobal Health Insurance Card.
Medication required for a pre-existing condition should be provided in sufficient quantity to cover the journey and to allow the patient to obtain medical attention abroad. If the patient is returning within the timescale of their usual prescription, then this should be issued (the maximum duration of a prescription is recommended by the Care Trust to be two months, although it is recognised that prescription quantities are sometimes greater than this). Patients are entitled to carry prescribed medicines, even if originally classed as controlled drugs, for example, morphine sulphate tablets.
For longer visits abroad, the patient should be advised to register with a local doctor for continuing medication (this may need to be paid for by the patient).
General practitioners are not responsible for prescriptions of items required for conditions which may arise while travelling, for example travel sickness or diarrhoea. Patients should be advised to purchase these items from community pharmacies prior to travel.
Planning on having private treatment/surgery in the UK or abroad?
Please be aware that the whole episode of the treatment should be provided by the private provider, i.e. blood tests and other tests, suture removal, dressing changes, routine wound check, prescribing during your episode of private treatment, etc., and the Practice should not be involved in any aspects of this episode of treatment, with the exception of emergency care relating to the treatment.
It is also the private providers responsibility to issue a Fit Note covering the entire anticipated period off work, but if any longer time off is then required when you are no longer under the care of the provider then this would be the practice responsibility.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/
Medication for Flight anxiety
Prescribing Diazepam for Flight Anxiety
The clinicians at William Fisher Medical Centre have reviewed their prescribing of diazepam and will no longer be prescribing diazepam for fear of flying. Diazepam in the UK is a Class C/Schedule IV controlled drug. We have outlined below the reasons we will no longer be prescribing it for fear of flying. Patients are welcome to seek the opinion of a private GP if they still wish to request a prescription for this purpose. We would also advise speaking to your pharmacist about alternatives that can be bought over-the-counter.
You can find further information and useful courses in the links below.
How to manage a fear of flying and flying anxiety | Patient
Reasons for this policy:
- The prescribing guidelines doctors follow (British National Formulary) advises ‘the use of benzodiazepines (diazepam) to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate’ and ‘benzodiazepines should be used to treat insomnia only when it is severe, disabling, or causing the patient extreme distress.’ Doctors would be taking a significant legal risk prescribing against these guidelines. Diazepam is only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. Fear of flying on its own is not a generalised anxiety disorder.
- Our contract with the NHS advises that an NHS prescription should not be provided for medication which is requested solely in anticipation of the onset of an ailment whilst outside the UK, but for which treatment is not required at the time of prescribing. It is therefore recommended that an NHS prescription is NOT PROVIDED for fear of flying.
- Flight anxiety does not come under the remit of General Medical Services as defined in the GP contract.
- Diazepam is a sedative and so can cause drowsiness, impair concentration and decision making. It should therefore not be taken by individuals who may be called upon to make important decisions (e.g. parents responsible for the care of young children or in case of an in-flight emergency).
- Some countries do not allow the entry of certain types of medicines including diazepam, and others may have regulations requiring specific permission for a medication to be brought in – for further information see the NaTHNac Travel Pro Website https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/43/medicines-and-travel
Accessing Mounjaro for weight loss
Information for patients using Mounjaro for weight loss
In mid and south Essex, Mounjaro is only available through the specialist Tier 3 weight management service and is prioritised for patients with the highest clinical need.
If you're currently paying for Mounjaro privately and would like to access it through the NHS, please be aware that you must meet the local NHS eligibility criteria at the time you are referred to the Tier 3 weight management service.
Please note that acceptance onto the Tier 3 weight management service does not guarantee access to the medication, as it may not be clinically suitable for everyone on the programme. In addition, access to the drug on the NHS must also be accompanied by wraparound dietary and physical activity support.
If you are currently paying for Mounjaro privately for weight loss and now wish to stop or taper off the drug, please speak with your private provider.
Visit the NHS Mid and South Essex website for further information about access to Mounjaro, as well as details of wider weight management support services..
If you are struggling to set or keep to your goals, consider speaking with our Health and Wellbeing coach, Jonathon
Page created: 21 February 2025