Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

You are responsible for ordering your medications. You should order them 5 to 7 days before you are due to run out.

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

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

You can also:

  • fill out the prescription counterfoil (the order form attached to the prescription)
  • bring the counterfoil to the surgery, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone.

Some medications can be issued by the surgery for same day collection if you have unexpectedly run out. These include medications for end of life care, epilepsy, severe mental illness, inhalers, and insulin.

We cannot gaurantee that other medications can be done as quickly, and it is your responsibility to ensure you order them in plenty of time.

Collecting your prescription

Information:

You can usually collect your prescription from the 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 the practice
  • at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
Find out about prescription charges and exemptions

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.

Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

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

Non-urgent advice: Old medications

Do not flush it down the toilet or throw away old medication. Take it to the pharmacy for them to dispose of.

Non-urgent advice: Why can’t I get a prescription for an over-the-counter medicine

Please don’t ask your GP for medicines which can be bought at the pharmacy. A GP, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a range of minor health conditions.
Further information about OTC medicines is available from NHS UK

Medication reviews

If you have a repeat prescription, you will need a medication review, at least once a year. We will contact you when you need to book in for a review.

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.

Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

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.

Hospital requests

When you are discharged from Hospital you should normally receive seven days supply of medication.

On receipt of your discharge medication, which will be issued to you by the Hospital, please contact the Surgery to provide them with this information before your supply of medication has run out.

Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by a prescribing clinician first, and if necessary a prescribing clinician will provide you with a prescription on request. 

Community pharmacy

In an emergency, when the surgery is closed, a pharmacist can supply repeat medications without a prescription if the pharmacist deems that there is an immediate need for the medicine

Fear of flying sedatives

We understand that fear of flying is a real issue that can significantly impact your life. However, we do not recommend or prescribe sedatives for this condition.

There are several reasons why we do not prescribe sedatives for fear of flying:

  • Safety During Emergencies: Sedatives like Diazepam induce sleepiness and relaxation, which can impair your ability to focus and follow instructions during an emergency, posing risks to both you and others.
  • Risk of Blood Clots: Sedatives can reduce movement, increasing the risk of dangerous blood clots (DVT) in your legs or lungs, especially on flights longer than four hours.
  • Potential for Agitation: Some individuals may experience agitation and aggression on sedatives, creating additional risks for you and those around you.
  • Legal Issues: Diazepam and similar drugs are illegal in some countries. Possession could lead to legal problems or confiscation.
  • Drug Testing: Diazepam remains in your body for an extended period. If your job requires drug testing, taking Diazepam could result in a failed test.
  • Prescribing guidelines (British National Formulary): advises “the use of benzodiazepines (diazepam) to treat short-term ‘mild’ anxiety is inappropriate” and “benzodiazepines should be used to treat insomnia only when it is severe, disabling, or causing the patient extreme distress.” Doctors would be taking a significant legal risk prescribing against these guidelines. Diazepam is only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. Fear of flying on its own is not a generalised anxiety disorder.

Help with fear of flying

Instead of using sedatives, a better approach is to consider a Fear of Flying course. Here are some options:

How to overcome a fear of flying

From Patient Info website

Help with phobias

From the NHS Website

Page last reviewed: 17 September 2025