Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

  • Register for online services using the NHS app OR Patient Access Once registered you can see and order your prescriptions online.
  • Using your repeat slip (right hand side of green prescription if you have printed prescriptions) tick the items you need to order and hand this slip into the practice or post it to us. There should ALWAYS be a copy from the Pharmacy when you collect, or have your medication delivered. If not, please ask the Pharmacy for this.
  • Drop off the repeat slip in the dedicated post box by our reception desk in Whitegate Health Centre which is open 8am-8pm 7 days
  • Some patients with suitable medication may be offered eRD (electronic repeat dispensing) whereby your nominated chemist will receive pre-authorised prescriptions that can be dispensed monthly without the need for ordering from the surgery.

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.

Collecting your prescription

You can usually collect your prescription from your preferred pharmacy 3 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.

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
  • at your GP practice
  • at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

Online Prescriptions

You can now order prescriptions  on-line through this website using the NHS app or your Patient Access on your mobile devices

With Online access you can now view, book and cancel appointments at the Practice from home, work or on the move — wherever you can connect to the internet. What’s more, because Online Access is a 24 hour online service you can do this in your own time, day or night.

Plus, Online Access is not just for ordering repeat prescriptions, you can also:

  • Book GP and nurse appointments.
  • Change your address details.
  • View your Medical Records
  • See your hospital appointments – only with the NHS app

If you would like to use our online services please download the NHSapp on your mobile device or from the app store or google play

You can also register for Patient Access

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.

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

  • phone our pharmacist after 10am on 01253 204690
  • fill in our medication query 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

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

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 consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.

Medication for fear of flying

Benzodiazepines (e.g.Diazepam/Lorazepam/Temazepam/Alprazolam/ Clonazepam) are drugs which have been in use since the 1960s for treatment of a wide range of conditions including alcohol withdrawal, agitation and restlessness, anxiety, epilepsy and seizures, neurological disorders. muscle spasms, psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbance.

Initial use of Benzodiazepines, including the well-known Diazepam also known as ‘Valium’, was enthusiastic and they were hailed as a wonder drug. However, it became increasingly clear that, as well as having short term harmful effects on memory, co-ordination, concentration and reaction times, they were also addictive if used for a long time, with withdrawal leading to fits, hallucinations, agitation and confusion, and further had long-term effects on cognition and balance. Unfortunately, Benzodiazepines have also become a widely used drug of abuse since they first came on the market. Because of these reasons the use of Benzodiazepines has been a lot more controlled around the world since the 1980-90s, especially in the UK. Diazepam in the UK is a Class C/Schedule IV controlled drug. The following short guide outlines the issues surrounding its use with regards to flying and why the surgery no longer prescribes such medications for this purpose.

People often come to us requesting the doctor or nurse to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying or assist with sleep during flights. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. There are a number of very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended.

  • According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow (British National Formulary) diazepam is contraindicated (not allowed) in treating phobic states. It also states that “the use of Benzodiazepines to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate Your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight.
  • NICE guidelines suggest that medication should not be used for mild and self-limiting mental health disorders. In more significant anxiety related states, Benzodiazepines, sedating antihistamines or anti psychotics should not be prescribed. Benzodiazepines are only advised for the short term use for a crisis in generalised anxiety disorder in which case they are not fit to fly. Fear of flying in isolation is not a generalised anxiety disorder.
  • Although plane emergencies are a rare occurrence there are concerns about reduced awareness and reaction times for patients taking Diazepam which could pose a significant risk of not being able to react in a manner which could save their life in the event of an emergency on board necessitating evacuation.
  • The use of such sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at an increased risk of developing a blood clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis – DVT) in the leg or even the lungs. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours, the amount of time which has been shown to increase the risk of developing DVT whether in an aeroplane or elsewhere.
  • Whilst most people find Diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and aggression. They can also cause dis-inhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally which can pose a risk on the plane. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law. A similar effect can be seen with alcohol, which has led to people being removed from flights.
  • A study published in 1997 from the Stanford University School of Medicine showed that there is evidence use of Benzodiazepines stops the normal adjustment response that would gradually lessen anxiety over time and therefore perpetuates and may increase anxiety in the long term, especially if used repeatedly.
  • Diazepam and similar controlled drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated, or you may find yourself in trouble with the police. The passenger may also need to use a different strategy for the homeward bound journey and/or other legs of the journey.
  • Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing, you may fail this having taken diazepam.
  • It is important to declare all medical conditions and medications you take to your travel insurer. If not, there is a risk of nullifying any insurance policy you may have.

Given the above we will no longer be providing Diazepam or similar drugs for flight anxiety and instead suggest the below aviation industry recommended flight anxiety courses.

Flight anxiety does not come under the remit of General Medical Services as defined in the GP contract and so we are not obliged to prescribe for this.  Patients who still wish to take Benzodiazepines for flight anxiety are advised to consult with a private GP or travel clinic.

For further information: