We now encourage all our patients to order their medication online, via Patient Access or through our Online Consultation service.

To do this via Patient Access for the first time you will need to register for Online Access. Please click the Online Access Registration link below to get started.

Online Access Registration Form

Once you are fully registered for Online Access you will be able to click the link above to order your medication.

Alternatively you can also request your repeat medication by using the following methods:

• Email: Please email prescriptions.stennack@nhs.net with confirmation of your name, date of birth, home address and the medication you wish to order. 
• Chemist/Pharmacy: Please liaise with your nominated Chemist/Pharmacy who will be able to order your medication on your behalf.
• Repeat Prescription Slip: Use the tear-off slip from your last repeat prescription and tick what you need to order, this can then be handed into Reception or posted to us. (If you enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope we will post your prescription to you). 

Please allow 3 full working days for the surgery to issue your repeat prescription.

If you choose to have your repeat prescription sent directly to one of the local pharmacies/chemist you should allow additional time for the pharmacist to prepare your prescription ready for collection - the pharmacy will advise you how long you should allow for this.

If you do want the surgery to forward your prescription to a local pharmacy/chemist, please make it clear which pharmacy/chemist you wish to nominate.

Help with NHS costs

In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:

• those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
• those who are age exempt
• those with certain medical conditions
• More information is available at NHS Choices

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.90
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £114.50
• 3-month PPC: £32.05

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website.

As a practice we endeavour to prescribe appropriately for you. This means that we try to take into account the evidence that a drug is actually effective for its intended purpose. We are guided in this by a national & local formulary; we are reluctant to prescribe outside these guidelines.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, finance plays an important role; family doctors are obliged to consider the cost of medicines. Our Practice accounts for over 1 million pounds spent on drugs each year and we are under constant pressure to reduce this. For this reason you may on occasions be asked to change your tablets to a more economic version – rest assured this will only be done if we are satisfied that the alternative is equally as effective as your previous prescription.

If you require simple ‘stock for the medicine cupboard’ such as painkillers for occasional use etc. this should be purchased ‘over the counter’ from the pharmacy. Please don’t ask us for this on prescription. A huge amount of money is wasted on unused drugs; please help by only ordering what you need. Unused medication should not be discarded in ordinary waste disposal systems but returned to the pharmacist.

We regularly review our prescribing & like to see all those on regular medication at least once a year (this appointment might be with a member of our Nursing, Pharmacist or GP team depending upon your condition). Some conditions will require more frequent monitoring.

Please notify us of any known or suspected allergies or adverse reactions to medication.

Medication compliance aids such as “Blister packs” (also known as “Dossette boxes”) are one of the methods used to help people remember to take their medicines.

Blister packs contain designated sealed compartments, or spaces for medicines to be taken at particular times of the day.

However, there is isn’t much evidence for their effectiveness. Furthermore not all medications are suitable to be dispensed in them due to sensitivity to light and temperature, thereby the Stennack Surgery do not advocate the usage of “Blister packs”, as the first choice intervention for helping people to manage their medicines at home.

There are other ways to support someone using the original packs of medicines such as:

• Alarms or Phone Apps: Set up an alarm on your watch, phone, or computer. Or, ask a friend or family member to remind you by phone or email to take your medicine. There are also Phone apps, such as myGP which is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. Visit https://www.mygp.com/services/medicines/or the NHS app library for more information.
• Reminder charts: If you like to use pen and paper to keep track of weather you have taken your medication, click hereto download a ‘Medication Reminder Card’ which you can fill at home.  Try pairing your medicine with an activity you do regularly or at a certain time to help you remember to take it.
• Large print labels: Ask your local pharmacist to stick a large print label on your medication box/container.
• Simplification of medication regimens: Consult with our Clinical Pharmacist about taking medications at the same time or the use of a longer-acting formulation.

We understand that medicine compliance aids might be useful for some people and typically these are organised by the local pharmacy.  Therefore, we suggest speaking to them if you would like to explore this option further.  Please note that the provision of these aids is at the discretion of the pharmacy and Stennack Surgery has no control over whether this service will be offered.  

Alternatively you could purchase your own pillbox. These are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours. They are inexpensive and easy to find at your local pharmacy or from online retailers. When using a pillbox, always keep the original medicine pack until you have taken the last pill.

And don’t forget to order your repeat prescription with plenty of time!