Prescriptions

Important

  • We NO LONGER take repeat prescriptions over the telephone unless you are housebound

  • If you need to order your prescription please order online. You can use SYSTMONLINE or the NHS App to do this. Or you can bring your repeat slip in to the practice and leave it in the prescription box. 

  • All repeat medicines need reviewing at times. So you may need to speak to the GP, or you may need monitoring bloods before we can issue them.

Fear of Flying

You may have previously been prescribed Diazepam for fear of flying Eaglescliffe Medical Practice will no longer be prescribing Diazepam for this indication.

Prescribing these drugs is no longer recommended for fear of flying, for the following reasons:

Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. In the unlikely event that there is an emergency during the flight, it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.

Sedative drugs can make you fall into an unnaturally deep asleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than four hours.

Diazepam can have short term, adverse effects on your memory, co-ordination, concentration and reaction times. They can also lead to addiction.

Whilst most people find diazepam to be sedating, a small number of people experience paradoxical agitation and in aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law.

According to the prescribing guidelines doctors follow, Diazepam is contraindicated (not allowed) in phobia. It is also now classed as a controlled drug, due to the potential for misuse and dependence. Your doctor is taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight.

We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. A much better approach is to tackle this properly with a Fear of Flying course run by the airlines and we have listed a number of these below.

Easy Jet www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com Tel 0203 8131644

British Airways www.flyingwithconfidence.com  Tel 01252 793250

Virgin www.flyingwithoutfear.co.uk  Tel 01423 714900

 

 

Order repeat prescriptions 24/7 with The NHS App. 

The new, simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. 

You may need your NHS number to sign up. You can get help finding your NHS Number via this link.

Click here to find out more. 

Download on App Store

Download on Google Play Store

Electronic Prescription Service

Electronic Prescription Service means we can send your prescription to your chosen pharmacy. This means you don't have to come to the surgery. To get your prescription sent to your chosen pharmacy, contact the practice to sign up.

Collections

Please note repeat prescriptions will be ready for collection in 48 hours after 14:00 (2 working days). Please also note prescribers finish at 14.30 each day. This means all requests placed after that will be completed the following day.

Items not on repeat prescription will take longer. Please allow extra time for these.  

Please check our opening times and closure dates when collecting your prescription.

From time to time your medication may need a review. Your doctor will leave a message for you on your prescription.

Prescriptions From Secondary Care (Hospitals etc.)

If the hospital recommend you to start a new medication, we can't prescribe it until we have confirmation from the hospital.

This may take several days. This medication is not URGENT.  If the hospital think that you need URGENT medication, they will provide it to you.

How to Get Medicines Urgently

During Surgery Hours: If you need urgent medication please contact us for help.

When we're closed: In an emergency, you may be able to get your medicine or prescription in one of the following ways:

  • 111 online - Emergency prescription requests

  • A pharmacist (chemist) may be able to provide an emergency supply of your medicine. This could be subject to some conditions. Contact your pharmacy for more information.

  • Contact the local Out-of-Hours Service. NHS 111 (telephone 111) for advice, or visit the local Walk-In Centre. The On-Call Doctor might be able to see you and, issue a prescription. You will need to take this to a pharmacy.

NHS Charges

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

  • Prescription (per item): £9.65

  • 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60

  • 3-month PPC: £31.25

If you have 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.

  • Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030

  • General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

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

Over the Counter Medicines

Prescribing of over the counter medicines is changing.  Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not prescribe over the counter (OTC) medicines.

Instead, you can buy these in a pharmacy or supermarket.

The team at your local pharmacy can offer help and advice to manage minor health concerns. If your symptoms suggests it is more serious, they will ensure you get the care you need.

Find out more about his change to prescription policy at www.nhs.uk/OTCmedicines

This applies to treatments for the following self-limiting and minor health conditions:

Acute sore throat

Conjunctivitis

Coughs and colds and nasal congestion

Cradle cap (Seborrhoeic dermatitis – infants)

Dandruff

Diarrhoea (adults)

Dry eyes/ sore tired eyes

Earwax

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Haemorrhoids

Head lice

Indigestion and heartburn

 

Infant colic

Infrequent cold sores of the lip

Infrequent constipation

Infrequent migraine

Insect bites and stings

Mild acne

Mild cystitis

Mild dry skin

Mild irritant dermatitis

Mild to moderate hay fever/seasonal rhinitis

Minor burns and scalds Minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and/or fever (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain)

 

Mouth ulcers

Nappy rash

Oral thrush

Prevention of dental caries

Ringworm/ Athlete's foot

Sun protection

Sunburn due to excessive sun exposure

Teething/ mild toothache

Threadworms

Travel sickness

Warts and verrucae