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Are you waiting for your prescription to be ready?
Whether you are unwell or you live with a long term condition that requires medication, it can feel like a long wait to collect your prescription, especially if you don’t know when it is due to be ready.
Discover how to find out when your prescription orders are ready to be collected and how long they typically take. Plus, how to use the NHS app to track your repeat prescriptions.
You can contact your GP surgery at any time to find out when your prescription is ready to collect. If you have a nominated pharmacy, you can also call them or drop in if you live nearby. If you are picking up your prescription from your local pharmacy, make sure that you take your ID with you, as they may request this.
You can also check the status of your prescription on the NHS app, which is free to use and available for everyone.
Typically, it takes up to 48 hours for an NHS prescription to be ready to be collected, but this can vary from one practice to another. If you have ordered a repeat prescription via the NHS app or through your NHS GP, then allow 2-3 working days for it to be sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
If you need your NHS prescription urgently, you can ask them to fast-track your order.
Many UK pharmacies offer a text message service for prescriptions; for instance, Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy do, as well as some independent pharmacies. If you would like to receive a text from your pharmacy when your prescription is ready to be collected, all you need to do is opt into this service.
To check the status of your prescription or repeat prescription on the NHS app, you need to log in to your account and then head to the “Prescriptions” page. Here, you will be able to view your current orders and see if your prescription is ready to collect.
There are three possible statuses:
Ordering repeat prescriptions and waiting for them to be ready to be collected is the same process as standard prescriptions. You can ring your GP surgery to see if your repeat prescription has been issued, or you can contact your pharmacy directly.
You can also check to see if your repeat prescription is ready to be collected by logging into your account on the NHS app.
You can contact us for more information on collecting your prescriptions or any other aspect of the NHS.
Are you planning to go to hospital? While it’s not something that anyone looks forward to, it is sometimes a necessity. Yet, if you have never been through the process of a hospital admission before, or it has been a while since you last spent time in a hospital, you might be wondering how the process works. This includes wondering if your GP is able to admit you into the hospital. Let’s answer that question for you.
In short, yes, your GP is able to admit you to hospital. In fact, GP approval is often recommended if you are planning a stay in hospital. Whether it is from the doctor at your GP surgery, even if you use a service like NHS GP or another health specialist, they can arrange your hospital stay. That includes booking your appointment and getting an admission letter sent your way.
This admission letter is important for a number of reasons. Most importantly, it supplies you with specific instructions to follow – including the date and time, details about what department to visit, and information about how to prepare for your stay – that helps to clear up any possible confusion.
However, GP approval or consultation is unnecessary for hospital admission. There are certain situations where this is bypassed entirely.
A consultant-led hospital admission is arguably the most beneficial. This helps to reduce waiting time as you have a scheduled time and date for your hospital visit. Yet sometimes, it’s not possible to have the luxury of forward planning.
For example, you may be unable to go to the GP beforehand if you are suffering from an emergency health predicament. If you suddenly become unwell, an ambulance could be called to take you directly to the hospital for treatment.
Sometimes assistance isn’t required. You might decide to admit yourself to a hospital if you feel ill or are seriously injured. This is typically the case if you feel it’s an issue that cannot wait and requires urgent attention from a medical professional.
Another scenario is if a person is admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act. Understandably, when this action is taken, it doesn’t require GP approval beforehand.
Depending on whether you have completed a pre-admission assessment, or if certain details are provided in your admission letter, specific advice such as not eating over a specific period, may have to be followed. There are other tips to keep in mind. This includes bringing some money to purchase snacks or drinks and any personal details changes – like a new GP, for instance.
Once you have arrived, you will have to meet with hospital staff and complete an admission form. This includes supplying your personal details and those of your emergency contact.
If you need any further clarification, feel free to contact us. We will be able to answer any questions you might have about hospital admissions, the role a GP can play, and more.
Some people don’t like their medical records being shared. They contain personal details including information about their physical or mental health, and they may like the thought of this being accessed by other people. If this describes you, then you might be wondering if your GP records are accessible to other healthcare professionals.
If you are concerned that hospitals and other healthcare professionals can access your GP medical record, there’s no need to worry. These health records are not available for others to view.
Of course, medical professionals may need to know key information pertaining to your health. This is available to them through a “summary care record”. This care record, produced by your GP practice automatically from the start of your first visit, gives a brief overview of key health details. This can assist a hospital with administering the right care and medicine if you’re admitted.
You might be curious about what your GP record includes. This record covers details such as your test results, vaccines, and medicines. Furthermore, it will cover communications from your GP between other services. This can include hospital discharge summaries and referral letters.
If you would like to take a look at your GP records, it is possible to view a summary of this online through the official NHS app. This NHS digital approach is the easiest way to gain access, although there are other methods available.
One is to ask your GP directly. This can be done in person, over the phone, or via a video consultation if you are with NHS GP. You will need to request information about which your GP uses an online service provider. Note that this information could be available on the website of your GP surgery. Then it’s a case of telling them you would like to sign up for their online services, completing the registration, and gaining access to your details.
You can also, in writing, formally request these medical records. This might be your option if you don’t want to use online services and want physical copies of your records.
Regardless of which option you choose, General Data Protection Regulation ensures you don’t have to pay a penny to access your medical records.
What if you’re not accessing your own GP records, but those recorded for someone who has died? NHS England passes the records for the deceased to Primary Care Support England (PCSE).
If you are allowed to access these files – say you are the deceased’s executor of their estate – you will have to first get in touch with the deceased’s last registered GP. They will be able to help with gaining approved requests from the PCSE for records of the deceased.
If you would like any further information about GP records, who has access to them, and more, feel free to contact us.
Need a repeat prescription but are not sure how to get one? Find out everything there is to know about how and where to get a repeat prescription in the UK. Plus, discover what to do if you lose your repeat prescription.
You can get a repeat prescription without going to the doctor. There are several ways that you can request a repeat prescription without having to go to your GP surgery in person, including:
One of the simplest ways to request repeat medications is via the NHS app or the NHS website. If you do not have an NHS account, you can easily create one via the website.
If you are asked to nominate a pharmacy, you must choose a high street one. Select continue on this, and it should process the order. When ready, you can collect your prescription in person, or some pharmacies may offer a delivery service.
If you do not want to use the NHS app, there are other online services and apps that you can use to place your repeat prescription orders. These services can be linked to your NHS GP so that any repeat prescriptions will be automatically highlighted on your account and so that they can check your GP medical record.
It is worth noting that some of these services are free of charge, whereas others will charge to deliver your medication directly to your door.
Yes, you can get a repeat prescription directly from a chemist. As long as the medication in question has already been approved by a doctor, you can simply choose a pharmacy and collect your medication as and when you need it.
Depending on the medication you take, you may be required to go to your doctor’s office for check-ups to see how you are responding to the treatment and to check that it is not interfering with any other medication you are taking. If you are taking the oral contraceptive pill, you will need to give a blood pressure reading once every 6 months.
It usually takes around 2 working days for a repeat prescription request to be processed by your GP surgery, as each prescription needs to be approved by a doctor. Once a prescription has been authorised, it is then sent to the pharmacy to be dispensed. Depending on whether or not they have the medication in stock, this can take between 2-5 days.
If you require a repeat prescription urgently, visit our contact us page, so our team can help you through the process. We may be able to fast-track the process.
If you are entitled to free prescriptions, then you do not have to pay for a repeat prescription. In the UK, contraceptives such as birth control pills are free of charge on the NHS to people of all ages.
If you are not entitled to free prescriptions, then you will have to pay the £9.65 prescription charge. However, if you require frequent prescriptions regularly, it may work out cheaper for you to purchase a prescription payment certificate (PPC).
As most GP surgeries now issue electronic prescriptions, you do not need to worry about your repeat prescription getting lost. However, if you have been issued paper prescriptions from your GP and they become lost, your local surgery should be able to print you out a new copy.
Do you struggle to get face-to-face appointments with your GP? Since the COVID-19 pandemic, which made online GP appointments much more commonplace, many people have expressed their concern about not being able to see a doctor in person.
In fact, last year, figures showed that only two-thirds of GP appointments are carried out in person, compared to an estimated 80% before the pandemic.
Find out the latest laws and guidelines relating to face-to-face GP appointments below and make sure you are getting the care you are entitled to.
Although the initial switch to remote consulting was predominantly to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to ensure patients are safe, this is not the main reason why GP practices are continuing to offer remote consulting.
A combination of huge volumes of patients and limited daily appointment slots has made it almost impossible for surgeries to accommodate face-to-face appointments for everyone.
According to new NHS guidance, practices in England must offer face-to-face appointments if requested. GPs who fail to make the necessary arrangements for patients to make an appointment without having to spend hours on the phone or who are not available for face-to-face appointments are, in the strictest terms, breaking the law.
You can find out more information about how many appointments your GP surgery is delivering and how many are face-to-face compared to how many take place remotely by accessing the GP appointment level data at practice level. This is information that has been collected for the past 5 years by NHS Digital.
Rather than spending hours on the phone trying to get through to the reception at your local GP surgery, it is much quicker and easier to use an online form. Some practices have them available on your GP surgery’s website, or you may be able to access them via the NHS app.
Although there are quite a few questions to answer on these forms, this is generally a much faster way to access the GP services that you need rather than booking an appointment over the phone. These online forms are secure and confidential and can be used to contact your general practice about your own health or someone else’s – your loved ones in care homes needing health care services don’t need to add the stress of using online methods like this on top of their health conditions, so take care of this for them. If you or your loved one don’t mind having an online appointment, this is generally much quicker to get sorted, and you can easily get one with NHS GP clinics. If you need help booking an online appointment with your GP, please contact us here, and we will do our best to help you get the healthcare advice you need.
A new NHS contract that came into force in April 2023 means that GP staff have to let patients book consultations in advance or refer them to other services, such as a pharmacist, rather than tell them to call back later or the next day. Practices across England will be given £240 million this year to pay for new technologies that are designed to ensure patients get given the care they need as quickly as possible.
Currently, guidelines state that if a patient requires emergency care, they should be given an appointment on the same day. If it is not, appointments, either face-to-face or via a video call, should be offered within 2 weeks. Alternatively, patients should be referred to NHS 111 or a local pharmacy.
When booking a GP appointment, your surgery will ask you for personal details such as your name, address, and date of birth. They should also ask you about your preferred mode of appointment, such as a telephone or video call or a face-to-face appointment. They may also ask you what the appointment is for, but you are not required to give out this information if you do not want to.
Although it is possible to use NHS services without having your NHS number on hand, it can be useful to have this available in certain situations. For example, if you’re registering with a new GP practice, the process can be quicker when you know your NHS number.
This is the situation when registering with NHS GP, though it is worth noting, that we are still able to register you with one of our NHS GP surgeries through our quick, online form. If you are able to provide us with your NHS number, it does make it easier to locate your medical record without however – and that results in registration being completed sooner.
There’s just one issue: how do you actually find your NHS number?
You will have received an NHS number if you have previously registered with a GP in England. This is a ten-digit number that takes this type of form: 328 777 1236.
If you’re unable to find your NHS number, the good news is there are multiple ways to solve this problem. These methods are:
Conveniently, the NHS provides a service that allows you to gain access to your NHS number. The ‘Find your NHS number’ service involves you inputting the following information:
Your number will then be sent by the NHS by email, text, or letter, depending on your preference.
It is possible to get updates about the “checking” status and if your order prescription will be changed or paused. To do this, you can contact your nominated pharmacy or GP surgery. They will then be able to tell you if it’s possible to collect your prescription as normal, or if any changes have been made.
spanIf you have the NHS app, this is another simple method to find your NHS number. This number is displayed prominently at the top of the app after logging in, below your name, for extra convenience.
Have you not downloaded the NHS app yet and created an online account? You can start the process by visiting the following NHS app link.
One of the advantages of a repeat prescription is that you can avoid booking GP appointments to simply receive your next dose of medication. This is convenient and helps to avoid potential delays in getting the medication you need.
This aspect is boosted even more when you use NHS GP to manage your repeat prescriptions. With just a few clicks, you can put in a request for your next prescription from your GP. This is then delivered for free either to your home address or your nominated pharmacy.
On an NHS letter or document
Is a letter or document you have received from the NHS readily available? If so, good news: this is another way to gain access to your NHS number. As for what type of documents you may have received from the NHS, this includes an appointment letter, prescriptions, test results, and hospital referral letter.
Again, your NHS number will be displayed prominently next to your name on any of these documents.
If you cannot locate these documents from the NHS, including any prescriptions papers or test results, there is a direct way to find your NHS number: speak to your GP practice.
As long as you are registered with your GP practice and you ask them for your number, they be able to provide it to you without issue. However, for privacy reasons, you could be asked to provide them with proof of identity, such as a driving licence or passport.
If you would like any more information about your NHS number or are struggling to locate it via the above methods, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help.
A repeat prescription is beneficial in that you don’t have to receive continual GP approval to gain your next prescribed dose of medication. These are provided on a continual basis based on a schedule across a set period of time.
Repeat prescriptions are provided when ongoing access to medication makes the most sense. This can be for a long-term issue such as high blood pressure, for example, or it could be for something like the contraceptive pill.
While a repeat prescription is generally straightforward, there are certain aspects that can cause a little confusion. This is the case when it comes to the “checking” status that might be found on your repeat prescription.
If you have received a repeat prescription and seen it come with a “checking” status, you might be a little worried about what this entails. This is certainly the case when that status wasn’t present on your previous medication.
However, it is not something that should carry any concern. “Checking” is simply a notice that a routine check is being made by your GP or pharmacist. This inspection is done to ensure your prescribed medication remains a suitable and safe option for your current situation.
That doesn’t mean you should be hesitant to take the medication you have just received a prescription for. A GP wouldn’t approve a prescription if it wasn’t right for you and your particular situation, so you can rest assured that the med
It is possible to get updates about the “checking” status and if your order prescription will be changed or paused. To do this, you can contact your nominated pharmacy or GP surgery. They will then be able to tell you if it’s possible to collect your prescription as normal, or if any changes have been made.
One of the advantages of a repeat prescription is that you can avoid booking GP appointments to simply receive your next dose of medication. This is convenient and helps to avoid potential delays in getting the medication you need.
This aspect is boosted even more when you use NHS GP to manage your repeat prescriptions. With just a few clicks, you can put in a request for your next prescription from your GP. This is then delivered for free either to your home address or your nominated pharmacy.
By managing your prescriptions online, it is easy to see if that “checking” status has resulted in any change to your medicine. If that change results in the repeat medication being refused, you can then use our platform to book a GP appointment online to arrange a potential new course of medicine.
If you would like to learn more about NHS GP and how it can assist with managing your repeat prescriptions, make sure to contact us. A helpful member of staff from our practice will then get in touch and guide you along the way.
It’s easier than ever before to register with the NHS and your local GP. Not only are there many local healthcare centres around the country, but you can now take advantage of telehealth and video appointments to get on-demand access to healthcare services no matter where you’re located. This has made it infinitely easier to many (particularly those in rural areas) to get the healthcare that they need.
Before you can gain access to any GP, including us here at NHS GP, however, you will need to register.
If you would like to register with one of our practices to access the full range of in-person and online healthcare servcies we offer, you can register online 24/7 here.
We offer online and phone appointments and prescription services to patients living anywhere in the UK, though please note if you do not live close to one of our GP practices and require a face-to-face appointment, it may not be as accessible for you.
Registering is easy, and you can even contact us if you need help with the registration process. The form itself shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes and can be completed either on paper when you visit your GP in person or through the digital form if you sign up online.
To register with a GP, you’ll need an email address and details of your previous GP. If this is your first time, then you’ll need to go in person to fill out the GMS1 form. You won’t need to prove your address or immigration status, show a photo ID or have an NHS number (though this is helpful if you have it!) when you sign up, but you may need to provide some of this information later.
For example, though you can sign up without proof of address, you’ll need to send that information in later to get your account activated. This can be a utility bill or bank statement and should be recent and have been sent to you within the last three months. If you don’t have an address, you can still sign up as long as you have a rough sleeper’s identity badge or, alternatively, use a hostel or accommodation registration. This way, even if you’re homeless, you will still have access to healthcare.
While we accept patients from across the UK, with other GPs, in most cases, you can only register with GPs in your catchment areas. This means that anyone can register with us, but if you wish to register with another GP, that is local to you, you will need to live within a certain distance from that GP practice. The size of the catchment will depend on where you’re located. Those in rural areas will have a larger catchment area than those in London, for example.
Yes, you should immediately sign up with a GP, even if you’re a temporary resident. The health surcharge covers access to the NHS, giving you unrestricted access to your GP and medical costs. Keep in mind that you medical records will be transferred to your new GP when you register so that your new healthcare providers can catch up with your health and care.
The form itself takes minutes, and with our practices, we then have you registered in two days on average. For other GPs, it can take upwards of two weeks for your information to be inputted and activated in the system. If you need access to your GP before that time, you can go to a walk-in centre for everyday issues or the A&E for emergencies.
Don’t spend another second without a quality GP at hand, and sign up with us today. Not only can you get quality in-person care, but we also offer video appointments to help you work your healthcare around your schedule.
Having to keep track of which prescriptions need refills and when they expire can be an overwhelming task, especially if you’re juggling multiple medications or have a busy life. Are you ever unsure as to when your prescription medication is no longer valid? Have you ever had difficulty understanding how long a particular medicine will remain effective in your body? If so, this blog post is for you.
It’s time to answer the frequently asked question: when does my prescription expire? Keep reading and learn what factors influence the expiration date of your prescription drugs, as well as tips on setting reminders so that refilling prescriptions does not become a last-minute rush job.
Prescriptions have a wide range of expiration dates, depending on the individual medication and its formulation. Most are generally valid for six months from the date they were filled by a healthcare professional. This does not mean that your prescription will become ineffective after this period; however, it is always recommended to check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure your medication is still safe and effective.
The date on the prescription will tell you when the medicine expires, as it will show when it was signed by a health professional, or it will have a date that indicates that the health professional has indicated it should not be dispensed before then.
So, how long is a prescription usually valid? In the United Kingdom, a standard prescription is often valid for six months, unless the medicine prescribed contains a controlled medicine. A controlled medicine is usually marked with a “c” symbol or the words “controlled drug” and has stricter regulations in terms of prescription validity. These are often set for 28 days from the date on the prescription. These controlled drugs include opioid painkillers and benzodiazepines, for example.
There are different kinds of prescriptions for different types of medications. For example, some will be a one-off prescription, while others are repeat prescriptions. The latter option, which is normally prescriptions for schedule for a given fixed period by a doctor, can be filled multiple times without a new prescription; these are typically used for long-term treatments such as asthma inhalers or antidepressants, for example. Usually, these are NHS prescriptions – those dispensed by the National Health Service (NHS). As of Spring 2020, there is a flat charge of £9.35 per item on prescriptions. However, you may be exempt from payment depending on your circumstances.
In contrast, a private prescription is issued by a private medical practitioner, not the NHS. While you have to pay for this prescription type, they can be a convenient option for many people. For instance, if you are out of town and run out of medication and need an urgent prescription, you can get one from a private practitioner. But is an urgent private prescription valid from a private provider who isn’t your usual NHS doctor? Yes, because it is issued directly by a medical practitioner.
Here at NHS GP, you can see a doctor online and get medication prescribed or sort out a repeat if necessary, whether you’re away from home and cannot see your regular GP practice or if you simply prefer a more convenient option. Contact us if you need further guidance on whether your prescription has expired or if you need to get a new prescription urgently. You can do so from the comfort of your home at a time that suits you without having to go to see your usual GP in person.
To conclude, depending on the medication, prescriptions can be valid for six months from the date it was filled. However, controlled medications are typically valid for 28 days from the date on the prescription. You can also seek medical advice from a doctor over the internet if you need to get a new or repeat prescription urgently or if you can’t see your regular GP in person.
Many people have been in situations where they need to get a prescription filled in a different city. It can be inconvenient, especially if you are traveling or living away from home and don’t have access to your usual doctor or pharmacist. Yet, what do you do when an urgent situation arises? Well, don’t worry – there is a way to ensure you can still get your medication. Here, we will explain exactly how to find and fulfil an out-of-town prescription so that you can stay healthy while on the go. The question of how to get a prescription fulfilled in a different city will be super simple after reading this.
There are lots of different ways to get your prescription filled in a different city. Now that you can find a pharmacy on practically every street, it is easier than ever for a doctor or healthcare professional to fill a prescription and send it away, thanks to electronic prescriptions. This is when a doctor or pharmacy sends the prescription electronically to another pharmacy.
Plus, with the prescription collection, you can even pick up the medication in another city or town and have someone do it for you. You will need your contact information, the doctor’s or pharmacist’s name, and a valid prescription. You can also get your medication from an online pharmacy. They can then transfer your prescription so that you can get the medication from any pharmacy.
To do this, you can nominate a different pharmacy where you would like your medication dispensed. You will be given a paper copy in England to take to any pharmacy in the country. It will include a unique barcode that will allow the pharmacist to scan the prescription and download it from the NHS database. Of course, aspects like any health insurance plans also need to be considered, as these can factor into private prescription prices if applicable.
This is a bit more complicated than the other methods, but it is still possible. If you need to get a new prescription when you’re out of town, then you can see a GP online who can then prescribe you medication, much like your regular doctor in your home town would.
If you need this service, you can contact us right here at NHS GP. We offer a service allowing you to see a GP over the internet who can prescribe medication or help facilitate a new or repeat prescription. This is a similar service to regular in-person doctors. However, we’re can speak to you on a video call or phone call instead and can offer appointments at a time that suits you. This option makes it more convenient for people who can’t see their GP at their local practice, such as those who are out of town in another city. That way, you can then get a prescription wherever you are and have your medication sent to a local pharmacy that is convenient for you.
For repeat prescription medications, you can request a prescription transfer. The difference between getting a repeat prescription whilst away in another city and getting a new prescription when out of town is that with a repeat prescription, you don’t need to contact a local GP.
Instead, you can use your existing doctor or the NHS GP website to transfer your existing repeat prescriptions to another pharmacy. You will need to provide the full details of the new pharmacy, such as its name and address. Then, they can access your medical records and send the prescription to them.
Getting a prescription filled in a different city is easier than you think. Many options are available, whether getting an electronic prescription or even seeing a GP over the internet for a new or repeat prescription when you’re away from home. Whatever your situation, there is a way to ensure you get your medication and stay healthy while away.
So don’t worry – with the proper knowledge and preparation, filling a prescription in another city is easy. Have any questions or concerns? Contact us today to get all your pressing questions answered.
