Waterside Medical Practice serves over 8,500 registered patients. Our dedicated team includes a full-time prescription clerk, a pharmacy technician, and additional clinical pharmacists. Together, they efficiently manage prescription requests, support patients with long-term health conditions, and ensure safe prescribing practices.
- Prescription requests can take up to 72 hours (3 working days) to be processed.
- All prescriptions must be in writing, below are the methods they can be submitted. We do NOT accept any request made by phone.
- NHS APP- Request or view prescriptions – NHS App help and support – NHS
- Practice website Repeat Prescription Request | Waterside Medical Practice
- Contacting your local pharmacy
- Email: hiowicb-hsi.watersidescripts@nhs.net
- Or in writing, dropped off to the practice.
- We cannot provide urgent medication supplies. If you arrive at the front desk or phone the practice for an urgent prescription the team will be unable to action this for you.
- In general practice, processing prescriptions can take up to 72 hours due to several important factors. Firstly, doctors need to carefully review each prescription request to ensure it is appropriate and safe for the patient. This involves checking medical records, current medications, and any potential interactions. Secondly, the practice staff must handle a high volume of requests, especially during busy periods, which can lead to delays. Additionally, some prescriptions may require further clarification or approval from the prescribing doctor, particularly if there are any uncertainties or special considerations. Finally, pharmacies also need time to prepare and dispense the medication, which can be affected by stock availability and other logistical factors
- Prescriptions by post
- For safety reasons, our practice does not send prescriptions by post. This measure is in place to protect your personal information and ensure that your medication reaches you securely. We encourage you to collect your prescriptions in person or use our secure electronic prescription service.
Types of medication issues:
- Acute Medications:
- Purpose: Prescribed for short-term or one-off treatments, such as antibiotics for an infection.
- Duration: Limited to the duration of the illness or condition.
- Review: Often requires a follow-up review before any further prescriptions are issue.
- Repeat Medications:
- Purpose: For long-term conditions where the medication is taken regularly, such as for managing chronic illnesses like hypertension or diabetes.
- Duration: Prescriptions are issued for a set period, typically a month or two.
- Review: Patients need to request a new prescription each time, which may involve periodic reviews to ensure the medication is still appropriate
- Repeat Dispensing Medications:
- Purpose: Similar to repeat medications but designed to reduce the need for frequent GP visits.
- Duration: Prescriptions are issued in batches, covering several months (up to a year), allowing patients to collect their medication directly from the pharmacy without needing to contact the GP each time
- Review: The pharmacy manages the repeat supplies and monitors the patient’s condition, with the GP involved only at the end of the batch period or if issues arise
Medication quantities
GPs typically prescribe a maximum of three months’ worth of medication for several important reasons:
- Patient Safety: Regular check-ins allow us to monitor your health and ensure the medication is working effectively without causing adverse effects. This helps us catch any potential issues early and make necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
- Medication Management: Some medications may require dosage adjustments based on your response to the treatment. By reviewing your progress every three months, we can ensure you are receiving the optimal dose for your condition.
- Regulatory Guidelines: Some specific regulations and guidelines govern how medications are prescribed. These guidelines are designed to promote the safe and effective use of medications and often recommend shorter prescription durations to facilitate regular monitoring.
- Preventing Misuse: Limiting the prescription duration helps reduce the risk of medication misuse or diversion. This is particularly important for medications that have the potential for dependency or abuse.
If you’re planning a holiday, please request any necessary medication at least 10 days in advance. We can only supply up to 3 months of medication, and if you’ll be away for longer, you’ll need to arrange treatment with local healthcare services abroad. Please note that the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is only available within England—we cannot send electronic prescriptions to other UK nations or overseas.