Ways in which you can order your prescription:

Community pharmacies, online pharmacies and other dispensing contractors (which include appliance contractors) will no longer be able to order repeat prescriptions on your behalf. Repeat prescription orders will need to be made by yourself, a relative or carer directly from your GP surgery. Repeat prescriptions can be ordered in the following ways:

• Online ordering – Recommended.  This is an easy and simple way.  Patients are encouraged to sign up for online ordering. To sign up you are required to produce photographic identification such as your passport; driving license or a bus pass to the GP practice. You will then be issued a personalised online log in and a password which should only be used by you to access your repeat orders (If you require a family member or carer’s assistance when ordering please highlight this to the practice staff when registering). This is a very straight forward process and will allow you to access your repeat orders at a time convenient to you, 24 hours a day

• In person at the surgery (using the white tear off slip on the right hand side of the previous prescription )

• Via post (using the white tear off slip on the right hand side of the previous prescription)

If you or someone you know requires assistance when ordering repeat prescriptions, then please enquire in your GP practice today. These patients will receive support to access help.

By encouraging all patients that have the ability to order their own repeat prescriptions, time will be freed up in pharmacies to focus on those patients needing additional assistance with their medicines. It will also offer you, as the patient, full control over which prescription items are issued each month. This will help to avoid over ordering and stockpiling of your prescription medicines.

Please note that the collection, dispensing and delivery of your prescription from community pharmacies, online pharmacies and appliance contractors will remain the same, it is only the ordering process that will change.

Please allow time for your repeat prescription to be processed.

Your GP practice will require at least 2 working days to issue your repeat prescription. Your pharmacy or appliance contractor will then need a further 1 -2 working days to dispense your repeat medication as they may need to order in any items that they do not have in stock.

We would recommend ordering your repeat medications 7 days before your previous supply is due to run out. Please note that this timeframe may be different if you are ordering medications such as controlled drugs.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will have a medication review with the Practice Pharmacist at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip. These may be face to face or over the telephone. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment with the Pharmacist to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions. Patients using online prescription ordering must also note that you will not be able to order repeat medication if a medication review is due. Once you have had your review you will be able to access online services.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

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

• Prescription (per item): £9.15
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £105.90
• 3-month PPC: £29.65

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 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

Antibiotic Guardians

At Northgate surgery we are working with the Lowering Antimicrobial prescribing (LAMP) project.

• Sadly increased and inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics has led to increasing resistance to them. We are rapidly heading towards a future where antibiotics no longer work and simple infections could have devastating consequences.
• At Northgate we are committed to working together with patients to ensure that antibiotics are only prescribed when clinically appropriate. By reducing antibiotic use we can keep antibiotics working and help keep everyone healthier.
• Antibiotics do NOT work against viruses so they are ineffective again colds and viral chest, throat and ear infections.
• Antibiotics cause lots of side effects including diarrhoea and sickness.
• Your clinician will only prescribe antibiotics if clinically indicated. If you are not sure or think you are getting worse you can always contact our triage team for more advice.

We thank all of our patients and staff for their support with this.

Some useful resources

Here are a few guidelines to help you judge how long some common illnesses and symptoms should last for:

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/keepantibioticsworking

If you’re not starting to improve by these guide times, contact the surgery.

Please click here to be taken to the Antibiotic Guardian Page.

Practice Repeat Prescription Ordering Policy

The Practice no longer accepts repeat prescription requests from pharmacies on behalf of patients.  We are aware that the online pharmacist, 'Pharmacy2U' is currently mailing Wakefield residents advising of the services that they can provide.  Please note that our policy also applies to Pharmacy 2U and therefore if you choose to nominate Pharmacy 2U to dispense your medicines, you will still need to order your own prescription from the surgery.  

All Pharmacies are still able to collect your repeat prescription from the surgery once it has been processed and deliver your medicines to you if they offer these services.  Please be assured that the practice has not provided Pharmacy 2U with your details and we are not affiliated to them in any way. 

Please click the following link regarding the recent prescription changes from the CCG.  Please click here.