Repeat Prescriptions - Distington Surgery

Non-urgent advice: Opening hours for the Dispensary & prescription ordering line

Dispensary opening times

9.00am to 1.00pm / 2.00pm to 6.00pm Monday – Friday

Prescription ordering line – 01946 833155

10.00am to 1.00pm / 2.00pm to 4.30pm Monday –Friday

Please allow 72 hours for repeat prescription ordering

We now offer a dispensary delivery service, if you would like your medication delivered to your home, please contact the dispensary for more information.

How to Order

Online –
- Use your NHS account (on the NHS website or in the NHS app).

Phone
- You can contact the prescription line on 01946 833155 between 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.30pm (messaging service available throughout these times).

Dispensary
- You can order at the Dispensary in person during dispensary opening hours.
- 9.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 6.00pm Monday to Friday.

Non-urgent advice: Notice

Most of our patients will collect their medicines from the dispensary at the surgery, Some of our patients who live closer to a chemist, for example at Harrington, Bransty and Hensingham will be issued with a prescription to take to the chemist.

If you require a repeat prescription please contact the dispensary, stating clearly which medicines you require. If you are exempt from paying for prescriptions, please show your card on collection of medication.

Questions about your prescription

If you have questions about your medicine, the NHS website has information on:

how your medicine works
how and when to take it
possible side effects
answers to common questions

NHS Medicines A-Z

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

Please phone our Dispensary on 01946 833155
- 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.30pm

Paracetamol prescribing

Prescriptions

The NHS has been spending around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines, such as paracetamol, that could be bought over the counter (OTC) to treat minor conditions.

Paracetamol is readily available to buy very cheaply from Pharmacies, Supermarkets, Petrol Stations and Convenience Stores for a fraction of what it would cost the NHS to issue a prescription (for example, a pack of 16 Paracetamol tablets can be purchased for around 29p from a local store, whereas the cost to the NHS is over £33 after including dispensing fees, administration and GP consultation costs).

By reducing the amount the NHS spends on over the counter medicines, we can give priority to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.

In line with Local and National NHS Guidance we will no longer routinely be issuing prescriptions for paracetamol to treat minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and/fever. This will help to ensure the long term sustainability of the NHS.

We would encourage patients to keep a small supply of OTC painkillers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen in their medicines cabinets at home so they are able to manage minor conditions at home without the need for a GP appointment.

You may find the following links helpful:

Prescription Charges & Exemptions

Please click here to see the latest NHS charges and exemptions on the NHS website.

Pharmacies

Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections and aches and pains.

They can also give advice about medicines. This includes how to use your medicine, worries about side effects or any other questions you have.

If they cannot help you themselves, they can refer you to a GP or other health professional.

To find your nearest pharmacy use Find a pharmacy – NHS

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