Prescriptions
Repeat Prescriptions
To ensure a smooth process for re-ordering repeat prescriptions, please remember that all requests must be made in writing by a patient, a pharmacy or a healthcare professional. It is essential to actively request your medications as this is not an automatic procedure.
In Scotland, the repeat prescription process involves patients submitting their request to either their GP practice or Pharmacy. This can be done in several ways:
- Hand in your re-order slip to your GP practice or Pharmacy
(You should receive a re-order slip from your pharmacy every time you collect your medication).
- Submit your request through an online system
(GP practices and some pharmacies offer an online re-ordering system to their patients. If you wish to sign up to an online system, please speak to your GP practice or Pharmacy).
- Complete a prescription request form down at your GP Practice
(At Burnfield Medical Practice, we have prescription request forms available at our Reception desk, where patients can request their medication).
Once you have submitted your prescription request, it is reviewed your GP practice, authorised by the prescribing clinician and then sent to your preferred pharmacy, where you can collect your medication. This system helps in maintaining effective medication management and ensures patients receive the necessary treatments.
If you receive a request to arrange a medication review, please do not ignore the request, as it could lead to a delay when issuing your next supply of medication. The purpose of a medication review is to ensure that the medication is working for you, and to ensure there are no health concerns related to your medication.
One-Off Prescriptions
If you would like to order medication that is not on your repeat medication list, you must submit your request in writing to either your GP practice or pharmacy, along with a reason as to why you are requesting the item(s). This helps your GP practice to make an informed decision on whether it is appropriate to issue you with a prescription for the item(s) you have requested. This is called an acute prescription.
Your GP Practice may reject your request for various reasons. We may get in touch with you to arrange an appointment to discuss your request further, so please be prepared for this when submitting your request.
Collecting your prescription
Please note a prescription can take up to 24 hours to be processed prior to collecting from the practice and up to 48 hours before being sent to your nominated pharmacy.
You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.
You can change your nominated pharmacy by phoning the practice on 01463 220077.
Please be aware that Tesco Pharmacy are only picking up prescriptions from the surgery on Tuesday and Friday. Please allow longer for your prescription to be ready to collect from Tesco.
Sickness Certificates
You do not require a doctors' sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days of less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self certificate form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.
Evidence that you are sick
If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).
It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.
You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.
Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'
The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.
For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced). To complete a request go to HMRC website.
Folic Acid
Folic acid ( also known as Folate or vitamin B9) is used by the body to make red blood cells and keep the nervous system healthy.
Most low levels of folic acid are dietary related and only require a short course of replacement and changes to the diet.
To help replenish low levels of folic acid for several years a 4 month prescription of folic acid 5mg will be prescribed . However, if your symptoms return on stopping the folic acid or you are not feeling better, we would then ask you to phone the practice and arrange a routine appointment with a GP.
Pharmacies
Pharmacy First Scheme
Our community pharmacy teams are there to offer professional health advice and treatment in first instance, which may save you waiting for a GP appointment! Many pharmacies have a consultation room on their premises where you can consult with a pharmacist in private. Treatment given by the Pharmacy First Scheme is provided by the NHS, free of charge. Click HERE to find out which pharmacy in your area offers Pharmacy First.
The NHS Pharmacy First Scheme allows community pharmacies to give people expert help on minor health concerns such as:
- Hay Fever/Mild Allergies
- Sore throats/cold symptoms
- Ear ache & Blocked ears
- Cold sores
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
- Skin rashes
- Chicken pox
They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.
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.
Urgent Prescriptions
What should I Do if I run out of medication?
It is easy to forget when to re-order your medication, which is why it is important to keep a close eye on your supply. We encourage our patients to re-order their medication BEFORE they run out of their supply, to ensure that we fulfil their prescription before they run out completely.
It can take up to 48hours for your GP practice to process your prescription and send it to your pharmacy. It is not an immediate process, so please keep this in mind.
If you notice you have run out of your usual medication, please contact your Pharmacy in first instance, as they may be able to issue an emergency supply to tide you over until a full prescription has been organised. Pharmacies cannot do an emergency prescription for Controlled Drugs. Click HERE to check if your medication is classed as a controlled drug. If you have run out of a controlled drug, you must submit a written medication request to your GP practice or pharmacy as soon as you can. If your request is urgent, you could contact us on 01463 220077 and arrange to collect your prescription from the GP practice yourself, as this may be quicker.
Travel
Burnfield Medical Practice Policy on Diazepam/Benzodiazepines for flying
In keeping with current NICE Guidelines that benzodiazepines are contraindicated in phobias (1) and should not be prescribed in panic disorders (2) and increasing number of Practices locally and nationally, we no longer start new patients* on benzodiazepines for phobias/panic disorders, including flying phobia/fear of flying/panic during flying.
Airlines now run courses for prospective passengers with fear of flying where customers are taken through scenarios, simulations and even short mentored desensitisation flights can be booked. See “Fear of Flying” section in Public Health Scotland’s Fit for Travel publication below (3) for useful general tips and links to courses run by airlines, quoting up to 98% success rate.
1) https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/diazepam/
3) https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/advice/general-travel-health-advice/air-travel#FearofFlying
*Efforts will be made to inform patients previously prescribed benzodiazepines by Burnfield for flying of this policy to allow time to arrange a course at an airline or make any other adjustments. The GP may until 31.12.2024 be prepared to exercise discretion in dealing with benzodiazepine for flying request for patients previously prescribed them for flying. However the GP will be under no obligation to prescribe. From 1.1.2025 no benzodiazepine prescriptions for fear of flying will be issued.
Travelling with Medication
In line with NHS legislation, our practice will only be able to issue a maximum of 3 months’ worth of medication at one time. If you are planning on travelling out with the UK for more than 3 months, please contact us on 01463 220077 or nhsh.gp55889-reception@nhs.scot for further information.
It is important to plan ahead when travelling with prescribed medication. Different countries have different rules on what medication is allowed and what medication is not. You could get a fine or go to prison if you travel with medicine that is illegal in another country. Please click HERE for further information on travelling abroad with medication and controlled drugs.
When travelling, please ensure you take all original packaging and labels with you, as this demonstrates that your medication has been issued by a registered NHS prescriber. Carry all medication in your hand luggage, as suitcases put in the hold are at risk of being delayed or lost in transit.
Travel Vaccinations
If you are travelling to a foreign country and need to receive vaccinations before travelling, please contact one of your local travel clinics. There are a number of pharmacies within the area who have built-in travel clinics. Click HERE to check where your nearest travel clinic is. If you would like a copy of your vaccination history, please contact us via 01463 220077 or nhsh.gp55889-reception@nhs.scot
