Increased Use of the NHS App and Prescription Request Updates
General Practice is becoming increasingly digital, and the NHS App is now playing a bigger role in helping patients stay informed about their health. The UK Government has announced plans to expand the use of the NHS App to provide updates about hospital appointments. Cervical screening invites are already being sent via the app, and we encourage all patients who are able to access it to do so.
Our practice handles hundreds of prescription requests and queries each day, and we’ve recently seen a rise in the number received. Many of these are marked as urgent, with patients requesting them sooner than the standard 72-hour processing time.
To help us manage this growing demand more effectively, we will be introducing some changes.
Ordering Repeat Prescriptions – A Safer, Easier Way
The quickest and most convenient way to request a repeat prescription is through the NHS App. While other apps are available, the NHS App allows you to manage your own login details so if you forget your username or password, you can reset them yourself without needing to contact the practice.
Requests made through the NHS App go directly to your clinical record for review, making it the safest and most accurate way to order the correct medication. The app is free and available on all smartphones, allowing you to request prescriptions in just a few easy steps, anytime without needing to call the practice.
To support this digital shift, from 16/07/25 our prescription answerphone line will now be available from 10:00am to 2:00pm only, and we kindly ask that this service is used only by patients who are unable to use the NHS App.
Medication Queries
If you are unable to order your medication through the NHS App—for example, if you are due a medication review, your medication is not listed, or you have a general query about your medication—you can submit a medication query via our online request system by selecting ‘Medication Query’ from 16/07/25.
Please note, this option is for queries only and not for ordering your regular medications.
If you are unable to use the online request system, you can still contact us via the answerphone or by calling reception.
https://systmonline.tpp-uk.com/2/OnlineConsultation?OrgId=A86018
Urgent Prescriptions
Requests for prescriptions outside of the normal process have a significant impact on both clinical and administrative staff time, and they also increase the risk of medication errors.
To ensure patient safety, all non-urgent prescription requests will be processed within our standard 72-hour timeframe. Only medications deemed clinically urgent—as listed on this page—will be considered for urgent processing.
Please note:
Running out of medication due to a late request does not make it urgent. It is the patient’s responsibility to request repeat prescriptions in good time.
We kindly ask that you respect our staff, who are required to follow this policy to ensure the safe and fair delivery of care to all patients. Abuse or inappropriate behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
What to Do If You Run Out of Your Repeat Medication
If you’ve forgotten to request your repeat prescription and run out of important medication, your local pharmacy may be able to help.
Under the Urgent Provision of Repeat Medication Service, some pharmacies can issue a short supply of a previously prescribed medicine without needing a prescription from your GP.
What to Do:
- Call your usual pharmacy to check if they offer this service.
- If they don’t, they may direct you to a pharmacy that does, or advise you to call NHS 111 for help finding one locally.
- You’ll need to bring:
- Proof of ID
- Proof of your medication (such as your repeat prescription slip or an empty medication box with your name on it)
Please note:
Controlled drugs and antibiotics are not available through this service. If you need these, you must contact NHS 111 for further advice.
https://111.nhs.uk/emergency-prescription
The following medication may be issued on an urgent same-day basis
These medications are considered urgent because missing doses could cause harm within two working days. They are the only medications eligible for urgent issue by the practice.
Requests for these urgent medications will be sent to your nominated pharmacy by the end of the working day.
- Certain heart medications
- Atenolol
- Bisoprolol
- Carvedilol
- Propranolol
- Glyceryl Trinitrate Spray / tablets
- Isosorbide Mononitrate /Monomil
- Furosemide
- Bumetanide
- Spironolactone
- Insulin
- Novomix 30 / Novorapid
- Humulin M3 / Humulin I / Humulin S
- Humalog / Humalog Mix 25 / Humalog Mix 50
- Insulatard
- Insulin aspart / insulin glargine / insulin isophane / insulin degludec / insulin lispro
- Lantus
- Levemir
- Abasglar
- Tresiba
- Anti-epileptics (only if diagnosed with epilepsy)
- Tegretol / Carbamazepine / Carbogen
- Epilim / Sodium Valproate
- Phenytoin
- Lamotrigine / Lamictal
- Clobazam
- Clonazepam
- Gabapentin
- Levetiracetam / Keppra
- Phenobarbital
- Pregabalin
- Topiramate / Topamax
- Brivacetam
- Eslicarbazine
- Ethosuximide
- Primidone
- Oxcarbazepine
- Perampenel
- Zonisimide
- Anticoagulants or blood thinners
- Warfarin
- Dabigatran
- Apixaban
- Rivaroxaban
- Edoxaban
- Tinzaparin
- Reliever inhalers and Nebuliser solutions
- Salbutamol/Ventolin
- Terbutaline/Bricanyl
- Ipratropium
- Steroid tablets (if taken every day)
- Prednisolone
- Dexamethasone
- Hydrocortisone
- Adrenaline
- Jext
- EpiPen
- Emerade
- Anti-rejection drugs
- Ciclosporin/Capimune/Capsorin/Deximune/ Neoral/Sandimmun
- Sirolimus/Rapamune
- Tacrolimus/Adoport/ Capexion/Modigraf/ Prograf/Tacni/Vovadex/Advagraf
- Medications for Parkinson’s Disease
- Co-beneldopa / Madopar
- Co-careldopa / Sinemet
- Levodopa
- Anti-psychotic medications
- Amisulpride
- Aripiprazole
- Haloperidol
- Olanzapine / Zyprexa
- Quetiapine / Biquelle / Seroquel / Sondate / Zaluron
- Risperidone/Risperdal
- Sulpiride
- Zuclopenthixol
- Depakote/Valprocic acid
- Paliperidone
- Medications for Schizophrenia /Bipolar/Psychosis
- Quetiapine
- Lithium
- Quetiapine
- Risperidone / Risperdal
- Specialised baby milks