Patient Access
If you are taking regular medication that your doctor has told you that you can have on a repeat prescription, you can hand in your request at reception between 8.30am and 6pm Monday to Friday (we have a post box on the wall so you don’t have to queue).
Alternatively, you can post your request to us – if you include a stamped addressed envelope we will post it back to you.
If you wish to fax us your request the fax number is 0191 5843 786.
You can telephone us to order your repeat prescription 0191 5842632 between the times 9.30am – 12noon, and 1.30 – 6pm.
You can also order online using the form below. Our local pharmacies also offer collection schemes – ask reception for more details on this service.
When ordering you must be able to give us the names of the medication you require. If you find you are having to order your medication at different times throughout the month, just let us know and we will bring your drugs in line to allow you to order everything at the same time. Prescriptions will be ready for collection within two working days
The doctor will normally undertake a review of your medication once a year, or more regularly in certain circumstances. The date of your next review can be found on the sheet attached to your prescription.
Reception staff are unable to change or issue medication that has not been authorised by a doctor and they cannot hand out prescriptions to callers under the age of 16.
Non-urgent advice: Clarification of Private Prescribing
We are aware that given current NHS wait times, some of our patients opt to see a private doctor, this statement clarifies our position on prescriptions.
If you are seen privately by a doctor for a single episode of care any short-term medication required should be paid for by the patient as part of that package of care, e.g. if a patient has a private hip replacement- painkillers, blood thinners and antibiotics required as a result of the operation should be prescribed by the private provider.
A private consultation may identify a long-term condition which needs medication. If you ask us to take over prescribing of a medication recommended by a private doctor, we will need to be satisfied that prescribing is appropriate, responsible and what we would prescribe for other NHS patients with the same diagnosis. Whenever we prescribe medicine for you we are taking full responsibility for your care, even if the medicine is recommended for you by another doctor.
Therefore we will not prescribe medication in the following circumstances:
*We have not received adequate communication from the private doctor to explain the reasons you need the medicine and that they have discussed the safety of the medication.
*The medication is not prescribed on the NHS (blacklisted)
*The medication is only suitable for specialist-only prescribing and we do not have the specialist expertise to safely monitor the medication. (e.g. methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine- ADHD medications, amiodarone- specialist cardiac medication, isotretinoin- acne treatment, lithium- mood stabiliser, goserelin- when used as a puberty blocker, immunosuppressants and chemotherapy)
*The use of the medication is not compatible with national or local prescribing guidelines
*Our local formulary can be viewed at https://nenc-sunderland.icb.nhs.uk/about-us/prescribing/pharmacy-guidelines/
*The medication is not licenced in the UK or is being used for a purpose not included in its UK licence
*We do not believe the medication is appropriate or necessary for you.
*You are seen by a private doctor without a GP referral i.e we can not be sure that the doctor is fully aware of your medical history
Please note that the same rules apply for other NHS doctors (e.g hospital specialists) asking GPs to take over prescribing of a medication.
The above are essential safeguards for us as doctors and prescribers. The General Medical Council advises us in “Duties of a Doctor” to prescribe in the best interest of the patient and only within our level of competence.
It is important to consider all potential costs when accessing a private consultant and this includes medication costs. If the medication applies to one of the above categories, you should speak to your private doctor to decide what to do next. You retain the option of a private prescription through your private doctor. Or, we would be happy to facilitate a referral to an NHS specialist if your medication is specialist-only.
Further information is available from:
British Medical Association Ethics Committee May 2009: The interface between NHS and private treatment: a practical guide for doctors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland http://bma.org.uk/practical-support-at-work
Department of Health March 2009: Guidance on NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care.
General Medical Council April 2021: Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices
Wasted Medication
Lots of medication is wasted every year in the NHS. Please help us by only ordering the items you need. Items will not be removed from your repeat prescription just because you are not ordering them every time.
Using the online service
This is an ordering service only and staff are not able to reply to e-mails. We have tried to make this repeat prescription service as secure as possible but confidentiality breaches can occur. The practice cannot be held responsible for information sent using this method.