Please allow 48 hours (TWO full working days) for prescriptions to be processed, considering weekends and bank holidays. Note that the cut off time each day for requests to be received is 14:00. Any requests received after this time will be dealt with the following day, and will therefore be ready to collect 48 hours from the next working day.

You can request your repeat medication:

• Online via the link at the top of this page - new users are required to complete a small registration slip and provide photographic identification at reception.
• Telephone 01335 216885 (option 2) between 09:00-13:00 Monday to Friday.
• Post your repeat slip into the post box at the entrance of the practice (this is emptied throughout the day)
• Email your request to ddicb.dispensary.ashbournehc@nhs.net 
• Medicines Order Line (Non-Dispensing patients - patients who collect medication from the chemist) telephone 01246 588860 between 08:00-16:00 Monday to Friday.

Patients who live more than 1 mile from any pharmacy can have their prescription dispensed at the practice dispensary.

Patients on repeat medication will be asked at least once a year to have their regular medication reviewed. It will be clear on your repeat slip when a medication review is required, or you have no issues remaining.

A medication review will most often be undertaken by a member of the Pharmacy team; you will not necessarily see the GP. Please ensure that you book an appointment in advance to avoid unnecessary delays in obtaining you next prescription.

Please ensure that you book your medication review appointment in advance to avoid unnecessary delays in obtaining your medication.

The practice has a skilled pharmacy team, including Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are specialists in medicines and how they work.

Our pharmacy team can:

• Answer any concerns or queries about medications
• Conduct face to face and telephone medication reviews
• Help you manage you long term condition by providing expert advice and making sure your medications are working well for you
• Review your medication. If you are taking medicines over a long term, you will need a medication review at least once a year
• Help to find a solution if you are experiencing side effects from any medication you are taking
• Help you to understand your medications after a stay in hospital to ensure you are getting the maximum benefit from them
• Prescribe medications for common illnesses such as hay fever, diarrhoea, eye infections etc. You will always be referred to a doctor if there is a need
• Provide expert advice on medications

Please contact our reception team to book an appointment.

Help with NHS costs

In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:

• those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
• those who are age exempt
• those with certain medical conditions

To check if you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and other help with health costs, visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check

• More information is available at NHS Choices

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

• Prescription (per item): £9.90
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £114.50
• 3-month PPC: £32.05
• Hormone Replacement Therapy PPC: £19.80

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC. The quickest way to buy a 3 or 12 month PPC is online at www.nhsbsa.uk/ppc

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website.

Patients registered at the practice will be prescribed medication according to clinical need.

All new patients will be asked about current medication on the New Patient Questionnaire. They will need to see a prescribing clinician for the first issue of any medication.

The practice operates a policy of prescribing medication within licence.

Where medication has been prescribed, this information is recorded in the patient record at the time.

Where contact has taken place away from the surgery (e.g. in the patient’s home), the clinician will ensure the patient record is updated as soon as possible, to maintain accuracy.

Where hospitals have added / discontinued / amended a patient’s medication, the practice will ensure that this information is recorded in the patient record in a timely manner, by the clinician in an appointment setting, or by the dispensary staff upon receipt of correspondence.

When the maximum number of authorised repeat prescriptions has been reached, a request will be sent to the prescriber asking whether the medication can be reauthorised or whether the patient requires an appointment.

The practice policy is that all patients taking medication should receive a medication review at least annually. The review will be undertaken by a clinician.

Where allergies or sensitivities are reported, these will be recorded in the patient record.

When medication is prescribed, the prescriber will advise the patient of any possible side effects and explain that if they experience any side effects, advice should be sought. The patient record will be annotated to say that this advice has been given.

All prescribed medication will be linked to a diagnosis in the patient record and coded appropriately.

Patients will be given advice on how and when to take their medication and this information will also be printed on the prescription and the dispensing label.