Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
using the GP online system: SystmOnline
email glicb.hucclecote.prescriptions@nhs.net

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
completing the repeat template and posting in the red box in the foyer
Writing a note with all your details and posting in the red box outside of the main entrance
Speaking to your local pharmacy who will arrange repeat requests for you

Collecting your prescription

You can usually collect your prescription 3 working days after you have ordered it.

Prescriptions for controlled drugs will need to be collected in person (or by nominated person) and signed for.

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:

on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
fill out a nominate a pharmacy or other dispenser form
at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions

Questions about your prescription

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:

fill out an ask a prescription question form

Medication reviews

Medication reviews will take place with your doctor every 6-12 months. If you have been asked to complete a medication review, please complete our online medication review form.

Prescription charges

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

You can also find out if you are entitled to free prescriptions.

What to do with old medicines

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.

Medications we do not prescribe

Medications for dental anxiety

We do not prescribe medications specifically for managing anxiety prior to seeing the dentist for any reason. If you have anxiety prior to any planned procedure, you should contact the dentist to discuss what options there are. If the dentist then feels that medication is needed before their appointment, the dentist should prescribe these for you.

Medications to postpone menstruation when going on holiday

We do not prescribe medications to adults (aged 18+ years old) on the NHS to postpone menstruation for holidays. If you are under 18, please contact your GP to discuss options.

You are now able to obtain such medications from online pharmacies (via a private prescription). There are plenty of reputable pharmacies available to get the tablets from, simply search for ‘Period delay tablets’ in your internet search engine.

Requests for sedatives for flying

Hucclecote Surgery is reviewing prescriptions of sedatives for fear of flying and is phasing them out following discussion and consultation with latest guidance. This policy decision has been made by the GP Partners and is adhered to by all prescribers working in the practice. The reasons for this can be found below:

Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If 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 asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. 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.
Whilst most people find benzodiazepines like diazepam sedating, a small number have 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 (BNF) Benzodiazepines are contraindicated (not allowed) in phobia. 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.
Diazepam and similar drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police.
Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing you may fail this having taken diazepam.
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
Website – www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
Phone – 0203 8131644

British Airways
Website – www.flyingwithconfidence.com
Phone – 01252 793250

Virgin Atlantic
Website – www.flywith.virginatlantic.com