We are now offering a new repeat dispensing scheme for those patients who are on regular medication and who use the same pharmacy each time. This allows patients to collect their medicines from the pharmacy at regular intervals (usually every two months) without needing to order their medication from the surgery. In most cases, 6 or 12 months’ supply can be issued.
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: Patient Access
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
You can also:
- fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
- drop your prescription request into the surgery, please post your request in the green box outside the surgery gate
- visit the surgery
- post your repeat slip to the surgery (If you would like the prescription posted back to you, please send a stamped addressed envelope)
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.
Don’t forget that if you need your medication for the weekend, you must order in time to collect your prescription either from the surgery or from the Painswick pharmacy by 6pm on Friday night. You will not be able to access your prescription from the surgery after 6pm on Friday evening until the surgery re-opens at 8:30am on Monday morning. In the cases of a bank holiday, of course this will mean the next available working day.
Extra supplies for holidays
If you are going away on holiday and require a larger than normal supply of your medication, the easiest way for us to do this is to issue you with two separate prescriptions for two months’ supply on each. So, ask for your prescription in the normal way, then a week before you go on holiday, ask for a further supply, but write a message on the request to say it is early as you are going away. You’ll then have a total of 4 months’ worth of medication. This is the maximum we can issue. If you are out of the country for longer than this, you will need to seek the advice of a doctor in the country where you are staying.
Collecting your prescription
If using the ‘repeat slip’ from your last prescription, tick the boxes for the items needed and allow at least 2 working days.
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
- fill out a nominate a pharmacy or other dispenser form
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
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.
Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)
If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:
- fill out an ask a prescription question form
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.
Prescription charges
View the cost of prescriptions and whether you are entitled to free prescriptions by visiting the NHS website:
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.
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 room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.