Questions about your Prescription
Ordering Repeat Prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions are medications which appear on your prescription slip which the doctor would like you to continue on a regular basis. Your list can also be found on your online account. Prescription requests take 72 hours to process.
Please note, it would be adavantageous to request repeat prescriptions earlier during public holidays due to high demand. These requests can take a little longer than normal to process during these times.
How to Request a Repeat Prescription
- NHS App – this can also be done via the on your smartphone or tablet;
- Online – via Patient Access on a computer, tablet or smartphone;
- In Person – tick the boxes on your green repeat medication slip against the items required;
- Via email – please email your requests to woolpit.prescriptionrequest@nhs.net; or
- By Phone – the prescription enquiries line is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 1pm.
Prescription Information Links:
NHS prescription charges – NHS Website
Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – NHS Website
Medication Reviews
If you have a repeat prescription, we will contact you to review your medication. If you do not hear from us and your medication review is imminent, please contact us to book a medication review.
You can do this by:
- Completing an eConsult; or
- Telephone or visit the Health Centre and speak to a Care Navigator at Reception during our opening hours.
Our Pharmacists
Under the new NHS Pharmacy First scheme, you can visit a Pharmacist to receive advice and treatment for seven minor illnesses, instead of going to see your doctor these include:
- Earache – 1 to 17 years;
- Impetigo – 1 year and over;
- Infected insect bites – 1 year and over;
- Shingles – 18 years and over;
- Impetigo – 1 year and over;
- Sinusitis – 12 years and over;
- Sore throat – 5 years and over; or
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections – women 16-64 years.
Anyone not within these age ranges should see their GP.
As well as the new conditions covered under Pharmacy First and other minor illnesses, there are many other issues and topics your Pharmacist will be able to help you with, these include:
- Advice on using and disposing of medicines;
- Contraception;
- Blood pressure checks;
- Quitting smoking; or
- Help on how to manage your weight.
Pharmacists can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription to help with aches and pains, coughs, colds and hayfever. Visit us or Find a Pharmacy
How to see your Pharmacist
Generally, you can just walk in to your closest or preferred one and ask for an appointment – or they will see you straightaway if there is availability.
You may also be referred to a pharmacy appointment from:
- 999;
- NHS 111 – online, telephone and the NHS App;
- Integrated urgent care clinical assessment services;
- Urgent treatment centres; or
- A&E.
Questions about your Prescription
If you have questions about your medication, our Pharmacists as qualified healthcare professionals, can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses such as:
- Aches and pains – such as, back pain, headache and period pain;
- Accidents – such as, sprains, minor cuts, and grazes;
- Colds, flu and other infections – such as, cough, congestion, fevers and/or temperature;
- Ear care – such as, ear wax;
- Eye care – such as, conjunctivitis, styes;
- Hay fever – which is not controlled by standard over-the-counter treatments;
- Rashes;
- Skin problems – such as, athlete’s foot, cold sores, or mild eczema or psoriasis; or
- Stomach aches – such as, constipation, diarrhoea, or indigestion.
The NHS website also has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.
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.
Disposing of Old Medicines
If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or some of it is left over after you have stopped taking it, do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet. Instead, take it to your Pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
Over-the-counter Medicines
Did you know that your local NHS spends £15m a year on prescribing medicines that are available to buy at the Pharmacy?
Following national guidance from NHS England, our GPs are asked not to prescribe these medicines, including for conditions such as coughs, colds, headaches, mouth ulcers, travel sickness and mild toothache. Your GP will not generally give you a prescription for over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over-the-counter medicines are available to buy at your local Pharmacy.