You can order your repeat prescriptions by:

• Using the NHS App - link to NHS App
• Using our GP online system: Inser EMIS Access Link here***Log in to Patient Access
• Fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
• Bring the paper form to the surgery, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6.30pm

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email ***

If you still decide to collect your prescriptions please can we request you to collect from the reception only between the hours of  5.30pm to 6.30pm

Please allow 48 working hours for prescriptions to be processed and ready for collection.

You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

• By using the NHS app
• At your GP practice
• At any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

In the past, COPD rescue packs containing steroids AND antibiotics were routinely issued to many patients.

Rescue packs were historically issued before electronic prescribing was widely available and when access to urgent and out-of-hours services was more limited. Therefore patients would have been waiting several days to obtain their medication especially when paper scripts were issued by out of hours services.  Today many alternative pathways to care exist and patients can now be assessed through same-day GP appointments, extended access services, out-of-hours GP care, and the enhanced respiratory nurses and an electronic prescription sent to a pharmacy of their choice.

Not all COPD exacerbations are caused by bacterial infection and many flare-ups can be managed with steroids alone. The unnecessary use of antibiotics increases the risk of antimicrobial resistance, which is a serious and growing health concern. Patient may also experience side effects from antibiotics and frequent use of antibiotics increases the risk of secondary “superbug” infections such as Clostridium Dificile. As a GP practice, we have a responsibility to prescribe antibiotics only when they are clinically needed.

If symptoms are severe, worsening, or not improving with steroid treatment, a clinical review is important to determine whether antibiotics or other treatments /investigations are required. Assessment also allows us to ensure that no other serious condition is developing and to assess if the COPD exacerbation is an indication for a medication review, check inhaler technique, or consider referral to respiratory services. We are aware that rescue packs are sometimes used without informing the practice, which can mean these important reviews are missed.

For these reasons, most patients who we feel would benefit from keeping a rescue packs will now receive steroids alone to commence in a timely manner. We strongly encourage patients to contact the practice if their COPD symptoms worsen, so that they can receive an appointment from a clinician to assess their symptoms and see if an antibiotic is required.

If you have concerns about managing your COPD or about flare-ups, please speak to a member of the clinical team.

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see either a doctor, nurse practitioner or Practice Nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery.

Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

Find out more about prescription charges on nhs.uk.

The following short guide outlines the issues surrounding its use with regards to sedation for scans and why the surgery does not prescribe such medications for this purpose.

In addition to the information contained in the paragraph for use of Benzodiazepines for fear of flying, there are additional considerations when using them as a pre-medication before MRI scans.

Benzodiazepines can cause an idiosyncratic response in patients, whereby even a small dose can cause increased agitation in some subsets of patients. This can be dangerous in the context of having  a medical procedure.

GPs are not regularly involved, skilled, trained or appraised in sedation skills but by signing your prescription, they take on all the clinical responsibility should you come to harm. Sedated patients should be regularly monitored and there have been reported cases of sedated patients having a respiratory arrest during an MRI scan.  The Royal College of Radiologists’ own guidelines on sedation for imaging makes no mention of GP involvement or provision of low dose anxiolytics, and stresses the importance of experienced well-trained staff to be involved in the monitoring of sedated patients:

https://www.rcr.ac.uk/sites/default/files/publication/Safe_Sedation.pdf

This guideline is also quoted by the medical defence union in terms of self medical practice for GPs.

Some MRI scans are carried out with technicians and should there be a medical emergency due to over sedation there would be no appropriate senior clinician on site supervising. This is why only low risk patients will be deemed suitable for certain lists or locations and your technician may not be aware you have taken a sedative.

It is unusual within Heywood Middleton and Rochdale for a patient to be referred by their GP for an MRI scan. Most scans are requested by secondary care (hospital) colleagues  and therefore any responsibility for a prescription required as a “pre-med” falls to the requesting clinician. If they are happy for you to use a sedative, they are able to arrange a prescription to be sent to the hospital pharmacy for you to collect. All this should happen without the involvement of your GP surgery.

A patient may take their “sedative” an hour before their assumed procedure and then attend hospital to find their procedure has been delayed or post-poned.

If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.

The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

> Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

• Send us a non-urgent query via Patchs *****
• Phone our pharmacist after 10am on *****

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

• Coughs
• Colds
• Sore throats
• Tummy trouble
• Aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

> Find a pharmacy

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.