For safety reasons and in line with national guidance, we do not accept prescription requests over the phone.

Please order via the online services; NHS App , Patient Access - if you have an account set up and linked with the Surgery or NHS Contact Us Online , you do not need an account for this service. 

Patients may arrange with their doctor to receive their regular medication by repeat prescriptions. If you are receiving medication for a medical condition that is stable, your doctor may allow medication to be obtained for a period without seeing them.

Nearly all repeat medication will need reviewing at some stage and you should discuss this with your doctor when you are seen for the condition that requires treatment.

A review of your repeat medication will also be indicated by a message on the computerised Repeat Prescription slip attached to each prescription. This otherwise indicates the number of further issues of repeat medication you may have before seeing your doctor again.

Medication can only be given in this way if it has been prescribed and agreed by your GP beforehand. Medication started by a hospital specialist will normally require you to see your doctor first since some medicines may not need repeating, require changes or monitoring.

Patients are also reminded that requests for contraception and HRT are NOT accepted over the web as regular blood pressure checks are needed.

Did you know you can manage repeat prescriptions from Davenport House Surgery in the NHS App?

You can easily choose where your prescriptions are sent. So, if you know you'll be away from home or you are moving home, you can change your nominated pharmacy from within the app.

You can also order your prescription at any time that suits you. There’s no need to wait to join a telephone queue or wait until the GP surgery opens.

It’s easy to use, and, if you hit a snag, you can go to ‘Help’ in the top right-hand corner of the app or visit nhs.uk/helpmeapp.

Repeat prescriptions can also be ordered from the surgery by one of following methods:

• Order via our NHS Contact Us Online.
• Submit your computerised repeat prescription slip to the surgery- Tick the items that you require. Put the slip in the box situated in the reception area or post it to us. 
• Submit your computerised repeat prescription to a chemist in Harpenden or Wheathampstead - Tick the items that you require.
• If you have other online services - such as Patient Access.

Collection of Repeat Prescriptions

Your repeat prescription request will be ready for collection in two working days - either from the surgery or from the chemist nominated by you. 

If the prescription is be collected from reception by someone acting on your behalf you should ensure that reception is notified beforehand or a letter of consent accompanies that person to maintain confidentiality.  The practice will not allow a person who is not known to them or related to the person requiring the prescription to collect it without such consent.

Failure to collect your medication within a month of requesting it will automatically lead to its destruction by the practice.

Some medications are prescribed on several occasions but are not considered as repeat medications because the condition requires close monitoring. These prescriptions do not appear either on line or on a repeat order form. If you wish to order more acute medication please contact us via NHS Contact Us Online stating the medication required and the reasons for the request. We will contact you within a week if the GP needs to speak to you before prescribing. This also applies to medication that you have been prescribed previously for a condition that has returned.

Please be aware that for safety reasons we will not take requests for acute medication over the telephone. If you require acute medication please ensure you contact the surgery at least a week before your medication runs out.

Contraception

Local Chemists have a late night opening rota with at least one Chemist staying open until 7.00pm each weeknight and at weekends a duty Chemist will open on a Sunday between 12 noon and 1.00pm.

The duty chemist is advertised in the local paper, in the surgery and on the door of each Chemist in Harpenden.

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

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.