To order a repeat prescription please hand in your repeat slip in the box provided or e-mail us on script.F81173@nhs.net

Alternatively you can request repeat medication on line. To do this you need to register with the practice and obtain a password to enable you to access this service. Once your registration account is created you will need to come into the surgery with your passport or driving licence so that your account can be activated you will be able to use the system to request repeat medication as required. Please complete an application form available from reception.

If you already have your password then you can click the link at the top of this page to access the System.

Please note we do not accept any telephone requests as mistakes can be made.

All prescriptions now go electronically.  If you do not have a nominated pharmacy you will be given a token that you can present to any pharmacy and they will then download your prescription and issue your medications.

As a patient of this surgery it is your responsibility to ensure that you order you medication and sick certificates in good time. Therefore, requests that are needed at Douglas Grove Surgery require 48 hours notice, excluding bank holidays and weekends.

If you are unable to get to the surgery you can always use the ONLINE repeat service for your medication.  Please ask reception for more details.

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip. 

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

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.

If you have been taking painkillers for a long-time please read below:

We are particularly talking about a type of painkiller called an opioid; like co-codamol, co-dydramol, codeine, dihydrocodeine, and tramadol.

Recent medical evidence questions the benefit of opioids (which are in the morphine family) for long-term pain. Strange as it might sound – we don’t think that they are very good at killing pain at all when taken for more than a few months. 

There are risks too – they can:

• sometimes make pain worse
• cause side effects to the intestines and the stomach
• make the body feel dependent on them so if you miss a dose you feel jittery and anxious
• increase the risk of fall
• reduce sexual function in both men and women
• there’s even a risk of overdose and death, especially if taken with alcohol or with some other medicines such as benzodiazepines (like diazepam) or pregabalin

For these reasons we suggest you try a “drug holiday”. This means you gradually reduce and stop your painkillers over a month or so to see for sure whether they’re helping or not.  It’s not unusual for pain to flare up a bit when doses are reduced and discontinued but that’s to be expected. Many people take these “withdrawal pains” as a sign that the opioids had been working and need to be continued (or even increased) but that is not the case and most people will start to feel better after a week or two. It can be tough getting through this time but it’s worth it.

Once you’re off the opioids for a month you’ll have a good idea as to whether they were making a positive difference to your life. If they were, feel free to gradually restart them – but try to find the lowest dose that works.

Modern management of chronic pain is geared away from drug therapy and more towards self-management where the patients take control of their lives and their pain with the use of physical therapies, emotional / mindfulness type practice plus pacing strategies.

The following links provide more information:

• Psychological support such as cognitive behavioural therapy: https://me.silvercloudhealth.com/signupor https://www.northessexiapt.nhs.uk/mid-essex
• Mid Essex Live Well Link Well: a free and confidential social prescribing service that provides practical or emotional support of a non-medical nature. Opportunities to take part in community events and groups that have been shown to improve quality of life for people with long-term pain as well as support with money worries or other social issues: https://midessexccg.nhs.uk/livewell/live-well-link-well
• This video “Brainman Stops His Opioids” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI1myFQPdCE) from Australia is an excellent short summary of the reasons we are suggesting that you may benefit from attempting to reduce or stop your opioids.

If you’ve got any questions about this, or if you are also taking other opioid type medicines along with the ones listed above; feel free to talk to your community pharmacist or to make an appointment with your practice pharmacist or a doctor of your choice to discuss.