What is a Dispensary? 

The doctors at the practice are able to prescribe and dispense all prescription only medicines, including controlled drugs. This means that the doctors are permitted to write prescriptions and also provide you with the medicines.

Accessing the Dispensary

The dispensary is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.45-11.30 am on Saturdays. There is a dedicated line for dispensary queries - call 01794 885272. 

What is a repeat prescription?

If you are prescribed regular medicines, your doctor may decide that you should have a repeat prescription. This means that you do not have to see a doctor every time you need a prescription renewed. 

Your condition will still need to be monitored by the nurse or doctor, so you will need to make an appointment from time to time, in order for us to continue giving you repeat prescriptions.

How do I request my repeat prescription?

• Before you run out of medicine you will need to fill in a request form (the tear-off slip that was attached to your last prescription).  You need to submit the tear-off slip to the Dispensary for your next repeat prescription.
• We regret we are unable to accept telephone requests for repeat prescriptions. 
• We need at least 2 working days notice to provide a repeat prescription, so please try to plan ahead. Ideally, please submit your request 5 days before you are due to run out of medication, especially if you are going on holiday.
• With effect from 1st December 2011, to simplify the timing of dropping off requesting repeat prescriptions - then collecting them, we have reduced the 4 ‘drop off’ times to just 2.

DROP OFF DAY	DROP OFF TIME	COLLECTION DAY	COLLECTION TIME
MONDAY	BEFORE 10.00	WEDNESDAY	AFTER 8.30
	BEFORE 15.00		AFTER 15.00
TUESDAY	BEFORE 10.00	THURSDAY	AFTER 8.30
	BEFORE 15.00		AFTER 15.00
WEDNESDAY	BEFORE 10.00	FRIDAY	AFTER 8.30
	BEFORE 15.00		AFTER 15.00
THURSDAY	BEFORE 10.00	MONDAY	AFTER 8.30
	BEFORE 15.00		AFTER 15.00
FRIDAY	BEFORE 10.00	TUESDAY	AFTER 8.30
	BEFORE 15.00		AFTER 15.00
SAT/SUNDAY		WEDNESDAY	AFTER 8.30

How do I complete the request form? 

• Tick which medicines you are requesting
  • Each item (medicine) you require must be marked with a tick.  If nothing is marked we assume nothing is required. On the right of every drug on the request form there is a mark like this [ ] which means it is an officially repeatable item. If you have lost your request form then a blank slip is available at from the Dispensary. 
• Tick a collection point 
  • We offer 6 collection points: Alderbury Mini-Market, Lockerley Stores, Landford Stores, West Tytherley Post Office, The Lamb Pub and Nobles, Wellow. We deliver to Alderbury shop (Mini-Market) on a Tuesday and Thursday and to the other stores on a Thursday lunchtime. Please note we can not deliver items that need to be kept in the fridge or controlled drugs. All items will need to be paid for at the practice before being delivered to a collection point. If you do not tick a box we assume that you will be collecting your prescription from the Dispensary. 
  • If you collect your medication from Alderbury Mini-Market, you can drop off your request there too! This may be more convenient.

How do I know when I am due a review? 

Each medicine listed on your prescription will tell you the following: the name of the medicines, its strength and how to take it, when the medicine was last ordered and how many more times you can order it before you need to see the doctor for a review. If you read - please see GP to order more -  this is when you will need a review. We are unable to give you anymore medicine until the review has been completed so please make an appointment with your doctor. You can make a telephone appointment or attend an appointment at the practice.

If you are due a review please make an appointment. If your review date has expired, a dispenser will tell you how to obtain a further prescription. This may involve making an appointment. If you need your medication before that appointment please tell the dispenser and they will organise what to do next. 

How do I submit the request form to the practice? 

• Online
  • Click on the online prescription request icon at the top of this page
• In person
  • Drop the request form into the collection box in the lobby at the practice. If the practice is closed you can put it in the posting box on the outside wall. This box is emptied on a daily basis between 8 - 9 am except at weekends.
• By post
  • Please address the envelope to “Dispensary” at Whiteparish Surgery. 
• By fax 
  • Fax the request form to Whiteparish Surgery on 01794 885271. Please note on the fax “For Attention of Dispensary” 

If you are requesting a prescription before you have used the previous supply you should tell us the reason, otherwise we may be unable to issue another until the due date.

When do I collect my prescription? 

Please collect your prescription at least 2 working days after submitting it to the practice (or 5 days if you have posted your request). 

Why does it take 2 working days to process a prescription? 

With so many people taking medication Whiteparish Surgery deals with approximately 2200 requests every week. Each request has to be checked against the patient's records to ensure that it is legitimate and appropriate. When this has been confirmed the prescription is printed and the drugs prepared. The prescriptions and medicines are then checked and signed by the doctor responsible for the prescription. They are then sorted according to whether the medicines are to be collected from the practice or sent to a local pick-up point. 

Many requests generate queries or problems that only a doctor can sort out. To do this job efficiently takes about 48 hours. Of course, in an emergency we can produce a prescription quickly, but the disruption it causes to the smooth running of things only causes more delay for other patients. 

Please note that your consumption of medication is checked regularly and inconsistencies will be discussed with you. We normally issue sufficient medicines for a month. 

NHS prescription charges 

From 1st April 2011, the prescription charge per item is £7.40. Pre-payment certificates are also available and patients who have to pay for more than 4 prescription items in 3 months or 14 items in 12 months may find it cheaper than pay-as-you-go. Importantly, some patients can get free prescriptions and you should check leaflet HC11 to see if you could get free prescriptions before buying a pre-payment certificate.  

Details of the current prescription charge and pre-payment certificate costs are available in leaflet HC12 - Charges and optical voucher values.

You can buy a pre-payment certificate online, by post or by phone. Ring 0845 850 0030 to buy over the phone using your credit or debit card. A 12 month certificate can be purchased using a 10 month direct debit instalment payment.

Click here for an on-line PPA application form, or click here to visit the Pricing Prescription web site home page.  

Who is entitled to free prescriptions? 

Certain groups of people are entitled to free prescriptions. These include:  

• People aged under 16 or in full-time education up to the age of 18 
• People aged 60 or over 
• People receiving Income Support, income based Job Seekers’ Allowance, or some other benefits 
• People with certain medical conditions can get a Medical Exemption Certificate
• Pregnant women can get a Maternity Exemption Certificate People on low income can apply for certificate HC2 

Further details on entitlements to free prescription are available from leaflet HC11, which can be found here in English and other languages. When you collect your prescription, you will need to provide evidence to show that you are entitled to free prescriptions.