Dispensary Opening Times

For Telephone Enquiries

Our telephone line is open between the following times: We have a new direct dial line to dispensary 01594 545329

• Monday – Friday – 10:00 to 11:30 & 14:30 – 15:30

Our telephone line is for medication queries only. Please do not use the telephone line to see if your medication is ready if you have given the 5 working days’ notice your medication will be ready for collection (7 days including a weekend)

For the Collection of Prescriptions and Medication

Our window is open between the following times:

• 09:00 – 18:00

Please direct all medication enquiries to the Dispensary window, and not Reception, as the Reception Staff are not trained to dispense medication.

Dispensary Leaflet

Please see the Dispensary Information Leaflet for updated information on the dispensary.

Closed for Staff Training

The Dispensary Department will be closed for staff training from 13:00 until 16:00 on the following dates:

• Thursday 11th January 2024
• Tuesday 6th February 2024
• Wednesday 13th March 2024
• Tuesday 30th April 2024
• Thursday 6th June 2024
• Wednesday 10th July 2024
• Thursday 5th September 2024
• Tuesday 8th October 2024
• Wednesday 6th November 2024
• Thursday 5th December 2024

Changes to the Prescribing of Over the Counter Medicines

NHS England have announced some changes with regard to NHS prescribing of a range of medicines, vitamins and minerals that are available to buy over the counter from Pharmacies and Supermarkets which will come into effect on the 31st May 2018. This follows a National consultation and subsequent NHS England Guidance that recommends over the counter medicines associated with a number of minor, short term conditions, which are either self-limiting or can be self-treated by the individual, should no longer be routinely prescribed by GP Surgeries but purchased by the patient.

With effect from this date, your GP will no longer be able to issue prescription medication for the following conditions:

Conditions	Acne – Mild Acute Sore Throat Athlete’s Foot Burns or Scalds – Minor Cold Sores (No Acyclovir) Colic (infant) Conjunctivitis Constipation (infrequent) – Adult Coughs & Colds and Nasal Congestion Cradle Cap (Seborrhoeic Dermatitis – Infants) Cystitis – Mild Dandruff Dental Caries – Prevention of Dermatitis – Mild Diarrhoea – Adult Dry Skin – Mild Ear Wax Eyes (dry or tired) Haemorrhoids (Piles) Hay Fever (mild/moderate)	Head Lice Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) Indigestion & Heartburn Insect Bites & Stings Mouth Ulcers Nappy Rash Pain associated with Minor Conditions (aches and sprains, headache, back or period pain) Ringworm Skin – mild dryness Sore throat (lozenges or sprays) Sun Protection Sunburn Threadworms Thrush – Oral Toothache/Teething Toothpaste (high fluoride) Travel Sickness Verrucas Vitamins & Minerals Warts

This change applies to medicines for the above conditions, together with a range of vitamins and minerals, unless there is a medical deficiency.  A full list of the conditions and the current NHS England guidance can be found at www.gloucestershireccg.nhs.uk/otc, or can be collected from Reception at the Surgery.

There are exceptions, which include:

• Patients who are prescribed an over the counter medicine for a long term or more complex condition, or
• Where a Clinician considers that a patient’s well-being could be affected due to health, mental health or significant social vulnerability.

A full list of exceptions can be found using the link above, or can be collected from Reception at the Surgery.

The CCG estimate that the annual prescribing cost for these medicines in Gloucestershire alone is around £2 Million, and this money could be put to better use to support vital healthcare in the county.

If you feel you need medicines for any of the above conditions, your first point of contact should be your local Pharmacy, who will be happy to advise you on appropriate treatment as required.

We appreciate this may cause some inconvenience to patients, but this is a National initiative which affects all GP Surgeries and as a Practice we are duty-bound to follow the guidance issued by NHS England.

Thank you.

Prescribed Medication

All medications are prescribed for a maximum of 28 days, with the exception of some HRT drugs and the oral contraceptive pill which are often prescribed for 84 days.

Repeat prescriptions will be issued at the Doctor’s discretion and are normally for patients on long term treatment.

Unfortunately, we regret we cannot take requests for repeat medication over the telephone.

Medication Reviews

If you have repeat prescriptions, your medication will need to be reviewed regularly by one of our Doctors. You may see a request printed on your repeat prescription asking you to make an appointment to see your Doctor regarding your medication.

If you have not contacted the Surgery, you may only be given one month’s supply of medication, and you will be reminded to discuss your medication with your Doctor. You will also be invited to the Surgery for an annual check, either at one of our long term condition review clinics, or with your Doctor during general surgery.

We now also have a Clinical Pharmacist working at the Surgery who is able to carry out your medication review, either face to face or over the telephone. Please contact Reception to book your review appointment.

If your medication needs reviewing, please contact the Surgery as soon as possible. Failure to do so may cause a delay in you receiving the medication you need.

How to Order your Medication

Medication can be ordered in the following ways: Please note, you will only be able to order a repeat of your medication if it is not due for review. See the information on Medication Reviews above for further details.

Online via our website. This is a safe, secure and easy way of ordering your repeat medication. If you have not signed up for this service, please complete our online registration form or collect a registration form from Reception.

By using the tear off slip that comes with your prescription: Please tick the items you require and either hand to the Dispensary Staff or place in the posting box outside when the building is closed. If you would like your prescription posted back to you please include a stamped, self addressed envelope.

How Long to Process my Request?

If you are collecting your medication from the surgery, please allow seven full working days for your request to be processed. If you are collecting your medication from any other Pharmacy, you should allow extra time – the time it takes a Pharmacy to prepare your medication is out of our control.

Please note that If you submit your request after 11:30, it will not be processed until the following day,

If your medication needs to be updated and you have not contacted your GP, it may take longer for your request to be processed.

Things to Remember:

Plan Ahead: Order your medication in good time to ensure you don’t run out. Remember, we need seven full working days to process your request.

Only order what you need: Please do not stockpile medication. Some may only have short use by dates and will then need to be thrown away. Please only order what you need.

If you are at all concerned or have any queries regarding your medication, please speak to either your Doctor, our Clinical Pharmacist, the Dispensary Staff, or your local Pharmacist. They will be happy to help.

What to do with Unused, Unwanted or Out of Date Medication

If you have quantities of unused, unwanted or out of date medication, please do not just throw these in with your general household rubbish. The Surgery or any Pharmacy will dispose of any unwanted medication you may have.

Please just hand in your items – this can be full or part used packs.

Please note: The Surgery is unable to accept any unused controlled drugs or full yellow sharps bins. These should be taken to a Pharmacy who will be happy to dispose of these items for you.