Prescriptions

Prescribing of over-the-counter medicines is changing

Your GP won't usually prescribe medicines that can be bought over-the counter for minor health concerns. You can always get the advice and medicines you need from your local pharmacy without an appointment, saving you time and helping to free up GP appointments for those who need them.

To find out more, visit www.prescriptionchanges.co.uk

Ordering Your Repeat Prescriptions Is Changing

From the 1st of April 2020, you (or a person nominated on your behalf) will have to order repeat prescriptions directly from your GP Practice.

You will no longer be able to order repeat prescriptions through your pharmacy, online pharmacy or other dispensing contractor.

For more information on this matter, please download the Repeat Prescription Changes Leaflet here (PDF, 158KB).

Prescriptions for medication taken regularly and approved by your doctor can be obtained without seeing the doctor in the following ways:

In person by using the right hand side of your prescription form ticking the required items and putting it in the box in the waiting area. If you enclose a stamped addressed envelope we will post the prescription to you.
Via SystmOnline. Please ask at reception for a login user name and password to access this service.

To Log in to your Online Account click here
You can now order directly with the NHS app. Want to know more about ordering repeat prescriptions through the NHS App? Find more information and a step-by-step guide.

More information about how the NHS App can be found here.

To get the NHS App click here.

Please note: We require 48 hours' notice to safely issue your prescription request.

Prescribing

The practice has an agreement in place with the Medicines Optimisation Team via North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) that NECS employed pharmacists or technicians may access the records of patients for the purpose of optimising medication.

NHS England Launches Free Prescription Eligibility Campaign

NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority have launched a nationwide campaign to help people understand their eligibility for free prescriptions. ‘Check Before You Tick’ encourages people to use a new online tool to check their eligibility before claiming, with the aim of reducing the £256 million cost per year to the NHS when people incorrectly claim free prescriptions.

Are you aware that some pharmacies will deliver your medication for you?

Please contact your pharmacy for details.

Lloyds Pharmacy Oswald Road: 01724 843398
Lloyds Pharmacy, Orchid Rise: 01724 281494
Garners Pharmacy, Frodingham Road: 01724 276156
Boots Scunthorpe: 01724 864285
Co-op Pharmacy: 01724 865342

Other pharmacies may also provide this service.

Find a Pharmacy

Click here to find a pharmacy near to you

Your Prescription Information

Click here to download the privacy notice on how your prescription information is handled.

EPS - Electronic Prescribing

Oswald Road is using Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)

The Electronic Prescription Service allows your prescription to be sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice.

To sign up, you need to speak to your preferred pharmacy and complete a form to confirm that they can receive your prescription directly.

Once you have signed up, your chosen pharmacy will receive your prescription electronically and you will not have to pick up your paper prescription from us.

If you have already nominated a pharmacy, your prescription will be sent to them electronically unless you tell us otherwise.

If you need to obtain a paper prescription for any reason, just let us know at the time of ordering.

This service is optional and you can continue to collect paper prescriptions as you do now if you prefer.

For more information, please speak to your pharmacist.

Prescribing Policy For Patients Travelling Abroad

This policy outlines the procedure for patients travelling abroad for short and long periods of time.

NHS Policy

By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. In addition GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.

The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should the find an alternative supply of that medication.

Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months should be removed from the registered patient list.

Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months

For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so. Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns. 1 months’ supply only will be issued for drugs normally available over the counter, such as paracetamol.

Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months

Patients who inform us they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination (up to 3 months’ supply where safe to do so).

They will also be removed from our patient list. We will be pleased to re-register patients on their return to residence in the UK and can reassure patient that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference on your return.

Patients and relatives should not seek medication for themselves while they are abroad as this constitutes NHS fraud.

Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad.

GP’s will only prescribe NHS prescriptions in this case for exacerbations of pre-existing illnesses. E.g. antibiotics for patients who have frequent infections secondary to an underlying lung condition.

GPs may provide private prescriptions if it is clinically appropriate and they can be self-administered safely without medical assessment while abroad. These prescriptions are not free.

Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and you should check with that countries embassy before you travel.