NHS Prescription Dispensing

 The NHS dispensing service allows our patients to obtain prescription medications at our pharmacy after a prescription has been issued by a GP or other authorised prescriber. 

Please be aware that it can take at least 3-5 days from when you order your prescription, for the GP surgery to issue it and for us to dispense your medication.

This service is usually facilitated by the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), which enables electronic prescriptions to be sent directly to our pharmacy, streamlining the dispensing process. Patients can nominate us as their preferred pharmacy. 

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:

1. Ordering Prescriptions

• Patients need to order their prescriptions from their GP practice. 
• The options for doing this are as follows:

1. Using the NHS App or your GP practice ordering website/app - Please note that this is the most efficient and effective method of ordering
2. Handing your paper repeat prescription ordering slip in at the GP practice.

2. Electronic Prescription Service (EPS):

• EPS allows doctors or prescribers to send prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy. 
• This eliminates the need for paper prescriptions and improves efficiency. 
• Patients can see if their GP surgery has issued their prescriptions to the pharmacy through the NHS App. 

3. Nomination:

• Patients can nominate us as their preferred pharmacy to receive their prescriptions electronically.
• This simplifies the process of obtaining medications, especially for those with repeat prescriptions.
• Patients can change their nominated pharmacy at any time. 

4. Dispensing Process:

• We receive your prescriptions electronically through EPS or by accepting paper prescriptions. 
• Once we have received the prescription we will order the medication required from our wholesalers. Please note it can take a number of days for medication to reach the pharmacy before we can dispense it. Therefore it is important that patients order their prescriptions in advance to ensure they do not run out of medication. 
• Our Pharmacist will clinically check and verify the prescription, our dispensers will prepare the medication, and we will provide advice on its use if required. 

5. Text notification when your prescription is ready for collection

• We can send you a text notification when your prescription is ready for collection if you have signed up to our text service. Please ask at the pharmacy counter if you would like this service.