WE DO NOT ACCEPT PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS FROM PHARMACIES, a prescription request must come from the patient or their carer
Prescription Requests
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO PRESCRIPTION ORDERING
From 1st May we will not be accepting prescription orders from pharmacies, other than for vulnerable patients with prior agreement. You can order:
- Using our online services – call at the practice in person to register with ID
- Emailing us at burnley.gp@nhs.net
- Post a request in person at any of our sites where we have dedicated prescription boxes
- Telephone requests are not accepted
Your order you should be clear on what you are ordering, detailing each medication separately with the strength, it is not acceptable to order ‘all my medication’, ‘my blue tablets’, ‘my brown inhaler’ etc.
Repeat Prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions are available for some long-term treatments. Almost all prescriptions are now sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy. WE NO LONGER PRINT PRESCRIPTIONS. If you don’t have a nominated pharmacy, or are unable to collect from your nominated pharmacy we can will send your prescription to the ‘cloud’ to be drawn down when you present at a pharmacy to collect it; you will need your NHS number to do this.
To order your repeat prescription:
- Register for our online services – you will need the NHS app for this, or to contact us for registration details if you are using a different app
- Email burnley.gp@nhs.net
- Drop your request off at one of our sites:
- St Peters Centre - by posting through the health centre letter box addressed to the doctors surgery. It will then ensure it comes to the surgery not the other health centre clinics
- Kiddrow Lane has a box in the waiting room
- Manchester Road – post through the letterbox at 187 Manchester Road
- Send your prescription by post enclosing a stamped addressed envelope and we will return the prescription to you.
We do not take requests for prescriptions over the telephone. Whichever way you choose to order you should be clear on what you need, detailing each medication separately, along with the strength of the medication (10mg etc.).
Please allow at least 2 full working days from the time of ordering for the doctor to check and sign your prescription, you may need to allow longer for your pharmacy to prepare your order.
If you post your prescription please ensure you allow at least 3 days for postage 1 way or 5 days for 2 way postage. This will vary at Bank Holidays.
We do not usually accept orders from pharmacies.
Opiate Prescribing Policy
Burnley Group practice is currently revising its prescribing practice to ensure the utmost safety to our patients. We have started the process of building a pharmacy team within our practice to specifically deal with all prescription related queries, and to ease communication between patients and getting their medicines.
Since 2019, we have adopted a strict opiate prescribing policy for any new and current patient within BGP. Any new patient will be required to sign an opiate agreement, which includes a review within TWO weeks of joining the practice, to assess the appropriateness and dosing of the opiate medication. These reviews will be booked with a clinical pharmacist/GP at BGP. In some circumstances a prescription may be deemed inappropriate, in which case a reduction plan will be initiated.
At BGP we also do not issue medicines such as Benzodiazepines (E.g Diazepam), or any sedating medicines for insomnia such as (Zopiclone, Zolpiderm) on a long term basis. Any new patient on such medicines would be required to sign an agreement, for review and appropriate management of these medicines. It may be deemed that such medicines are inappropriate; in such cases reduction plans will be commenced.
Not registered for online services?
Prescription Fees
Help with NHS costs
In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:
- those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
- those who are age exempt
- those with certain medical conditions
- More information is available at NHS Choices
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 will have to pay for 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.
Medicines Manager
- Are you ordering your medicines more than once per month?
- Are your directions on your medications unclear?
- Are you on regular controlled medication and would like to order your prescription once every 6 months?
If so our in house medicines manager can assist you. Contact reception and ask to speak to Karen.
The medicines manager looks at patients’ medications to see if any improvements can be made to the prescription for the benefit of the patient.
Synchronisation – this is where medication quantities are altered so that all medications run out or are ordered at the same time. This results in fewer requests, saving the patient time.
Add Directions – some medications state to be taken as directed. The medicines manager will add more precise directions, ie, take one tablet daily, etc. This helps to make sure the patient is taking their medication correctly.
Repeat Dispensing – certain criteria must be met for a patient to be put onto repeat dispensing.
This is where a ‘batch’ of 6 monthly prescriptions is issued at one time, which allows the patient to go straight to the pharmacy rather than having to order their medications from the GP every month.
The medicines manager always liases with the GP who decides if any changes are required. NO changes will occur without the GP/patients' permission/request.
If you have any further complex questions about your medications and how they work we have an in-house pharmacist who can assist you, ring reception and leave a message for them to contact you directly.
If you have any concerns about your condition and the medications you are taking please make an appointment to see your usual doctor.