Prescriptions at Mendip Vale North Somerset

How do I order my repeat prescription?

• NHS App or Patient access
• Digital Form on the website
• Email the Prescriptions Team
• Submit a paper request

How long will it take?

Please allow 3 full working days for your prescription to be issued.

Why doesn’t my medication show on the App?

• If its a new medication to you
• It’s for acute use
• It’s a controlled drug
• It hasn’t been issued for more than 2 months

How can I order new/ actue medications and controlled drugs?

• Digital Form on the website
• Email the Prescriptions Team
• Submit a request in writing 

When will my medication be ready to collect?

This will depend on your pharmacy, please contact them directly.

What is an acute drug? 

An acute drug is a type of medication which i used as a one-off or not intended for long-term use

What if I need more of an acute item?

• Write your request on the digital form on the website
• Email the Prescriptions Team
• Submit a request in writing 

Why can’t I see my controlled drugs on my NHS App?

These are treated as Acute medications for safety purposes, this ensures they receive an additional check by prescribers before we issue them. These can be ordered following the acute process above.

What if my request is urgent?

Email us your request and enter ‘Urgent’ in the subject box

Can I reorder something I haven’t had for more than 3 months?

There are certain types of prescriptions for which this is possible, including contraceptives, HRT, salbutamol, moisturising creams, GTN spray, and rescue packs. For other medications please read below.  

When do I need to complete an eConsult? 

If you need something you haven’t had for over 3 months you will need to complete an e-consult. This enables our clinicians to ensure you can continue to receive the most appropriate treatment for your condition.

What should I do if I have a question about side effects or how to take my medication?

• Speak to your community pharmacist, they are trained and qualified to answer most questions.
• If the community pharmacist is unable to resolve your concern, please call our prescriptions team.

What should I do if my medication is unavailable?

• Email us to request an alternative medication
• Call our prescriptions team - Option 2 on the mainline 

A hospital or other clinician has sent you a letter about a new medication, when can I get this?

• Once received please allow us 7 days to process these.
• New medications will be added to your medication list
• We won’t issue these until you request them, this is because we don’t know if the clinician has already supplied you with some and if so, how many.
• Some medications fall under a ‘Shared Care’ agreement with a specialist. Prescribers can/may refuse clinical responsibility for prescribing these items

I’m going away and need early or extra medication, what should I do?

• Travelling outside of England? Let us know when you order and where appropriate we will issue your medications
• Staying in England? We can send your prescription to any pharmacy for you to collect

I’m leaving the UK for more than 3 months

The NHS cannot supply more than 3 months medication for patients leaving the country. You may be able to obtain more via a private prescription, please complete an e-consult to discuss with one of our clinicians.

What should I do with my finished inhalers? 

Don't throw your used inhalers into your household waste or recycling bins. Landfill disposal of inhalers is harmful to the environment due to left over gases being released into the atmosphere. Plastics from inhalers cannot be recycled using domestic recycling schemes, as such return your used inhalers to your local pharmacy for safe disposal. 

If you have concerns about the environmental impact of your inhaler, make an appointment with your GP practice - don’t stop using your inhaler!

It is your responsibility to make sure that you request your repeat prescriptions in a timely manner so that you do not run out of medication. 

Urgent requests can be made via email and will be individually reviewed by a clinician according to our policy. If this is not deemed clinically urgent and safe to do so this will be processed within the normal timescale. 

Urgent requests for Medication will be considered for the following: 

• Anticoagulants
• Antipychotics
• Contraceptives
• Epilepsy Medication
• Essential Steroid Replacement
• Heart Failure Water Tablets
• Insulin
• Palliative Care Medicines
• Parkinsons Disease Medications
• Rescue Inhalers

Urgent prescriptions will be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy by 6:30pm on weekdays. 

Holidays

If you’re planning to go on holiday or will be away from home, please submit any medication requests 7-10 days before your departure. Be sure to note the reason for the early request in your submission.

Please keep in mind that we may not be able to fulfill last-minute or urgent medication requests specifically for travel. Planning ahead helps us ensure you have everything you need for a safe and healthy trip.

Prescriptions for patients traveling out of the country

By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. People traveling within Europe are advised to carry an authorised Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) at all times and this gives entitlement to reduced cost (and sometimes free) medical treatment. Patients should be advised to check specific entitlements prior to travel. Current European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) remain valid until the renewal date when a GHIC will be issued. 

• For patients who will be out of the country for less than 3 months, it is reasonable to provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (i.e. asthma, diabetes)
• GPs are not required by their Terms of Service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.  Persons who have left the UK, or who are intending to leave the UK, for more than 3 months are not normally allowed to continue to be registered with a practice.

We are available to help with any problems about your prescription. Contact us if you are having problems with:

• Ordering repeat prescriptions
• Your pharmacy
• Out of stock items
• General concerns about your medication.

You can contact us by emailing the surgery at bnssg.mendipvale.prescriptions@nhs.net

Or call us on 01934 839820

You can also find more information about prescriptions on the Prescriptions and pharmacies page on the NHS website.

We are keen to ensure that patients with ongoing medical problems are monitored regularly. If your medication review date has passed, please speak to one of our team, they will be able to advise what we need you to do to enable us to complete this review.

You need to register to use our online repeat prescription ordering service and this is best done in person at the surgery. Please speak to one of our receptionists.

The NHS prescription charges apply to England only. These are:

• Prescription (per item): £9.90
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £114.50 (Instalment Plan available) 
• 3-month PPC: £32.05

The Government provides help for those who have difficulty paying NHS prescriptions. You can find out more about whether you’re entitled to support from the Government on the NHS Prescription Charges on the NHS website.

More information and advice about NHS England prescription charges are on the Who can get free prescription page on the NHS website.

If a medication is prescribed for short-term use, it may be recorded as acute medication. These medications are not visible or available for reordering through the NHS app or Patient Access.

If you believe you need more of an acute medication, please email our Prescriptions Team. Keep in mind that acute medication requests may take longer than the standard processing time.