Repeat Prescriptions FAQ

Visit How to order Repeat Prescriptions to see all the ways to order repeat prescriptions.

Only if you are unable to use these methods you can call 01373 301301 and select Option 4 to speak to one of our prescriptions team. This option is only available between 10am and midday, Monday to Friday.

Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines.

Over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket.

Learn more on the NHS England website

A carer or relative can be nominated to order prescriptions through the NHS app or our online form on behalf of another person.  

Consent is needed to act as a nominated person. The patient can submit a nomination request using this form.

If the patient lacks mental capacity this will need to be reviewed and approved by a General Practitioner.  

If you are managing another person's prescription, we advise that the prescriptions are kept organised. This is so you know exactly how much the person has left. Please put in a repeat request when the patient has at least a 7 days of prescription left.   

If you are concerned that the patient is not managing their prescription well, we have a team of clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who can conduct a prescription review. They can discuss ways to support the patient on an individual basis. 

We have a dedicated Digital Team to support you using the NHS app.

You can get help from them in the following ways:

• Fill out our online form and a member of our Digital Team will be in touch with you. 

• Visit a digital health drop in located in the Live Well room on the ground floor of the practice. Drop ins are open:
  • Tuesdays from 10am to midday.
  • Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm.
• Visit a digital health pop up event at venues around the town. No appointment needed but please bring your device with you.  
  • At Asda, Frome from 1pm - 3pm on 1st Tuesday of the month.
  • At Sainsbury’s, Frome from 1pm - 3pm on 3rd and 4th Tuesday of the month.
  • At Fair Frome (Marston Trading Estate) from 10am to 12pm on 3rd Wednesday of the month.
• There is also a digital support cafe, run in partnership with Spark IT. This is hosted in the Cheese and Grain Cafe, Frome, every Thursday from 10am to 11.30am

Please submit a repeat prescription request at least 7 days before you are due to run out.  

Submit your request more than 7 days ahead of running out if: 

• You are sending your repeat prescription request by post
• There are bank holidays coming up
• You use an online pharmacy

Please do not request a prescription request if you are not close to running out as we do not generally accept these requests.

Please allow at least 7 days between putting in your request and collection.  

Prescriptions are sent to your nominated pharmacy within 3 working days of the practice receiving your request. Pharmacies also require up to 3 working days to prepare your prescription.   

For this reason we reccomend putting in your request when you have a minimum of 7 days of prescription remaining. 

Pharmacies, like GP practices, are very busy and will need time to prepare your prescription.

You may need to let your pharmacy know that your prescription is required today.  

If you have ordered prescription that is not in your bag, there may be medication owed to you. This happens when the pharmacy does not have enough in stock and must order more to fulfil the request.   

Please check with your pharmacy first if there is anything owed to you. If there is still an issue after contacting the pharmacy please contact us using this form.

Prescriptions are separated on your medical records under three categories - Repeat, Acute, and Variable.

Repeat 

Repeat prescriptions are the medications you take every day. These items are re-issued.

Sometimes prescriptions are moved from repeat to variable or acute. This can happen when a review of your condition is required by a clinician or where we identify overuse. If this happens, you will be invited for a medication review. Once the medication review is complete, the prescription will be moved back to the repeat prescriptions list if appropriate.

Acute

Acute prescriptions are prescriptions issued one time or ones that require a review before the next issue.

Acute prescriptions will remain on your medical record for 4 weeks. After this time, they will go into your past medications.

If an acute prescription is needed from your past medications, a request can be made via our online form. This request will be reviewed by a clinician. 

Variable 

Variable items are prescriptions that are used on a ‘when required’ basis, for example emollient creams or laxatives.

Variable prescriptions will remain on your records for 6 – 12 months before the prescription goes into your past medication record.

If a variable prescription is needed from your past medications, a request can be made via our online form. This request will be reviewed by a clinician. 

Self-care items

Some prescriptions are now classed as ‘self-care' items. These are items that can be purchased from your local pharmacy and do not require a prescription. Self-care items longer appear on your repeat prescription list.

You are responsible for purchasing self-care items over the counter from a pharmacy.

For further information, please see this NHS leaflet.

Prescription requests have never been automatically sent. Before the 30th of September 2024 pharmacies may have requested prescriptions on your behalf.

This service is no longer available. 

Please visit How to order Repeat Prescriptions to see alternative ways to order your repeat prescriptions.  

If you have run out, contact us through our prescriptions form and mark your request as urgent. We have an on the day prescriber who can issue your prescription.   

If you are unable to fill in the form, please call 01373 301301 and select option 4 between 10am and midday. This will connect you to a member of our medications team who can assist you.

If you run out of medication outside of practice opening hours you can call 111 for advice and support.  

111 can assist with locating the nearest open pharmacy. They can also send an emergency prescription to this pharmacy.

Please contact us via our online form and state that you are going on holiday.  

You can also write that you are going on holiday on your paper repeat prescriptions slip. Return this slip to the box at the practice. This is located on the left of the reception desk. 

Please note the maximum we can prescribe is 3 months of medication.   

If you are remaining within the UK, you can request for your prescription to be sent to a pharmacy near you. 

Please use our Prescriptions & Medication Queries form to request this. 

If you need to be seen by a clinician you may need to register as a temporary resident with a local practice.