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.

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 and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). See NHS information about this here. You can self refer to this locally through Richmond Wellbeing Service Richmond Talking Therapies – Website

 

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