Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

Those of you that request your repeat prescriptions in writing may find the letter in the link below of great use to make it easier for you when requesting your repeat prescriptions.

Online repeat prescription patient information letter Final

Prescribing policy

• The practice has a strict repeat prescribing policy, to prevent prescribing errors, and to ensure regular monitoring.
• We will require 48 to 72 hours to process your prescription.
• Please do not request your repeat prescription more than a week before your last prescription runs out.
• Your prescription will go to one of the surgery pharmacists. It is possible that you will be asked to talk to your GP before a repeat prescription is agreed.
• Please note that we do not prescribe over the counter medication. They are available to buy in your local pharmacy or supermarket.
• If you currently request your prescription on paper, please would you consider switching to the online service via the Practice website. It’s very easy to do and will save you time as you will not have to come to the Surgery. When you request on-line, the requests will go from you direct to the doctor.  This is more efficient than going via administrative staff and, compared with paper requests, greatly reduces the chance of prescriptions being misread, delayed or mislaid. It also means that you can submit the request from home, or from anywhere, without having to visit the surgery.

Emergency Prescriptions - NHS 111

Requests arising from private healthcare
We understand that patients may choose to see a private consultant or provider. However, requests arising from private consultations can create additional clinical and administrative work for general practice. Our capacity is limited, and our priority must remain the safe and timely care of patients using NHS primary care services.
Tests and investigations requested by private providers
We are generally unable to arrange tests or investigations requested solely by a private provider where:
• the test is not part of the GP’s own clinical management plan;
• the private provider has not arranged the test themselves;
• the practice does not have the appropriate clinical responsibility or expertise to interpret and act on the result; or
• undertaking the work would be outside our NHS contractual responsibilities or available capacity.
If a private provider requires a test or investigation, you should normally ask that provider to arrange it directly. If the GP considers that an investigation is clinically necessary as part of your NHS care, and the GP is able to interpret the result and take responsibility for any follow-up, the practice may consider arranging it. This will be a clinical decision and cannot be guaranteed.
Prescriptions recommended by private providers
A private consultant may recommend or prescribe treatment following a private consultation. This does not automatically mean that the NHS GP practice can issue the medication on an NHS prescription.
Any request will need to be reviewed by a GP who must be satisfied that:
• they have sufficient knowledge of your relevant medical history;
• the treatment is clinically appropriate and necessary;
• they have the necessary competence and expertise to prescribe and monitor it safely;
• any required tests and monitoring arrangements are in place;
• the treatment is consistent with relevant NHS and local prescribing guidance; and
• they are willing to accept clinical responsibility for the prescription.
The prescribing doctor retains responsibility for the prescription. We will not prescribe medication where the clinician is not comfortable accepting responsibility, does not consider it clinically appropriate, lacks the necessary expertise, or believes that the medication should remain the responsibility of the private consultant or specialist.
Requests for routine prescriptions from private providers may need to wait for the practice’s usual clinical review and prescription-processing arrangements. A private provider should not advise a patient that their NHS GP will automatically issue the prescription.
Where medication is urgently required following a consultation, the private provider should make appropriate arrangements for its immediate provision. NHS England guidance states that where a patient has an immediate clinical need for medication following an outpatient consultation, the secondary-care provider should provide sufficient medication until the GP can reasonably receive the relevant information and accept responsibility, where appropriate. This principle also applies to private providers.
Shared-care arrangements
We do not automatically accept shared-care requests from private providers. A shared-care arrangement requires appropriate written communication, clearly defined responsibilities, suitable monitoring, and agreement by the GP and the practice.
Many practices are unable to enter into new shared-care arrangements with private providers because of capacity limitations, safety concerns, insufficient specialist support and the absence of appropriate commissioned arrangements. Where shared care is not agreed, the private consultant or provider remains responsible for prescribing and monitoring the treatment.
Patients should not stop prescribed medication without discussing this with the clinician responsible for their care. If you are concerned about an urgent interruption to medication, please contact the prescribing specialist or an appropriate urgent NHS service.
We appreciate that this policy may be disappointing. It is necessary to ensure that prescribing and investigations are undertaken safely, with clear clinical responsibility, and without reducing the practice’s capacity to provide core NHS care.

 

Practice Policy for Prescribing Diazepam

Prescribing Diazepam for Fear of Flying, and other requests (including scans and dental appointments)

Benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam) are sedating medications used since the 1960s for conditions like alcohol withdrawal, epilepsy, and muscle spasms. They’re addictive and can cause memory problems, poor coordination, and can have dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Many people approach their GP practice asking for diazepam to help with fear of flying, or to sleep during a flight. There are several good reasons why prescribing diazepam is not recommended, and as a result we can not prescribe diazepam for patients who wish to use this for a fear of flying.

Why GPs won’t prescribe diazepam for flying

Medical guidelines

• National prescribing guidelines (BNF) state benzodiazepines are not allowed for treating phobias like fear of flying

• Using them for short-term anxiety is considered inappropriate

• Prescribing against these guidelines puts GPs at legal risk

Safety risks during flight

Emergency situations: Sedation impairs your ability to concentrate, follow instructions, or evacuate quickly. Airlines may refuse passengers taking sedatives, similar to intoxicated passengers.

Blood clots: Unnatural sleep from sedatives reduces movement, increasing risk of dangerous blood clots (DVT/PE), especially on flights over 4 hours.

Breathing problems: Planes reduce oxygen levels to 90%. Benzodiazepines depress breathing, risking dangerously low oxygen levels.

Paradoxical reactions: Some people become aggressive or disinhibited instead of sleepy, potentially leading to arrest and legal trouble.

Other concerns

• Illegal abroad: Banned in Greece, Japan, UAE, and other countries – could result in arrest

• Drug testing: Long-lasting effects may cause failed workplace drug tests

• Dementia risk: Possible link to earlier onset dementia

Better alternatives

Fear of flying courses (more effective than medication)

• EasyJet: fearlessflyer.easyjet.com tel: 0203 813 1644

• British Airways: flyingwithconfidence.com

• Virgin Atlantic: flywith.virginatlantic.com

Other therapy options to try

• NHS talking therapies https://swlstg.nhs.uk/richmond-talking-therapies

For other medical procedures (scans, dental work etc.)

GPs don’t provide sedation for these situations. Responsibility lies with:

• Hospital staff for scans/procedures

• Dentists for dental work

You will need to contact them directly about sedation options.

 

How do I order a repeat prescription?

There are two ways of ordering on line:

1. Patient Access (our preferred and quickest method)

Repeat prescriptions can be made via Patient Access. For more details, including how to register with this service, please click here. This can also be accessed from the home page menu.

2. On-line form below

Order your repeat prescription