Get Your Prescription

NHS Greater Manchester (GM) is supporting patients to use the NHS App.

From the 1st of February 2024 all patients (who are able to do so) will be able to request their own repeat medication directly from their GP practice. This will mean that for the majority of patients, the pharmacy will no longer order repeat prescriptions on their behalf. At Cheadle Medical Practice we are aiming to get all suitable patients using the App by Friday 1st of March 2024.

The quickest and easiest way to order your repeat prescriptions is through the NHS app.

If you are unable to use the above, you can also do the following:

Completing a prescription slip at the practice.
Completing the right-hand section of your previous prescription form and leaving it at the surgery

By using the NHS app, your submitted prescription request goes straight to the GP for sign-off. This means time is saved as the pharmacy and reception team don’t need to input your request into our clinical system. It also frees up our reception team to spend more time answering the phone, helping bring our call wait times down.

The app is easy to use and allows patients to choose where their prescription is sent. So, for example, if you know you’ll be away from home or you are moving house, you can change your nominated pharmacy from within the app. Patients can also order their prescription at any time that suits them. There’s no need to wait to join a telephone queue or wait until the GP surgery opens.

A ‘Help’ section within the app can guide you if you hit a snag!

Get the NHS App today!

You can get the NHS app from the Google Play or the App Store. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can also log in using your computer through the NHS website.

If you already order your repeat prescriptions online, via the NHS App or another online platform used by your GP practice, these changes will not affect you.

Please note, to avoid dangerous mistakes we do not accept repeat prescription requests by telephone.

We aim to approve all repeat prescription requests within 48 hours, this can be longer in times of high demand. Please do not contact the surgery to query expected completion times – we work through them every day and will get to it as soon as we can.

If you are having problems setting up the NHS app, please get in touch with us – we will try to help!

Benefits of the new ways of ordering:

reducing medicine waste, as current arrangements mean that many medicines are routinely ordered but not needed
giving patients better control over the ordering of their own medication
improving safety by avoiding stockpiling of medication and preventing medication that has been stopped from being re-ordered by mistake
saving practice time with less time spent chasing and processing prescriptions, meaning staff can focus on offering more appointments and helping those unable to use the NHS App.

The exception will be patients who are unable to order their medication by any of the recommended routes, are vulnerable and/or housebound. GPs will work closely with pharmacies to ensure patients who require additional assistance (Assisted Patients) get special care and specific policies geared to their personal needs. This could mean that pharmacies continue to order on behalf of some patients, where all partners agree this is the best solution for a particular individual.

FAQs for patients

What is changing?

You (or a person nominated on your behalf) will have to order repeat prescriptions directly from your GP Practice. You will no longer be able to order repeat prescriptions through your pharmacy, an online pharmacy or other dispensing contractor.

Why can’t the pharmacy hand in my repeat request slip on my behalf?

We believe that you, the patient (or an appointed friend, carer or relative), are best placed to order your repeat medicines.

What is the rationale behind this change?

The advantages of this change include:

Reducing medicines waste – By checking your medicines cupboards at home, you can help reduce medicines waste by only ordering what you need and additional medicine does not get ordered for you accidentally.
Saves GP time – especially if patients use electronic repeat dispensing (eRDs)
Saves your time if medicines are ordered electronically using NHS app, online through your GP practice login or if you are on stable medication via electronic repeat dispensing.
Dealing directly with your GP practice – communicating directly with your GP practice will save time and prevent communication issues when another party is involved.

Is this to save money?

No. This change is to re-invest the current medicines wastage spend back into the NHS where it is most needed.

When do I order my repeat prescription?

Order your repeat prescription 7 days before you are due to run out and not earlier. If you are on electronic repeat dispensing, your pharmacy will inform you when you collect the last batch of your medicines. You will then need to contact your practice as your doctor might want to see you for a medication review before giving permission to issue your prescription.

How do I order my repeat prescription?

Online (the easiest and safest way) for example, via the NHS app or patient access. Once signed up to one of these, you can order your medicines from any PC/laptop, smartphone or tablet.
Hand in your repeat slip at the surgery
Post your repeat slip to the surgery

A friend, relative or carer can assist you with any of the above means of ordering your repeat prescription.

What if I don’t have access to the internet?

You can either send us your request via post or hand it in at the surgery. If this is not possible please contact the practice to discuss alternative method.

Can a relative drop my repeat prescription request to the practice?

Yes. A friend, carer or relative can drop the request to the surgery on your behalf.

I already request my repeat prescription online with the surgery. Do I have to re-register?

No. Please continue to order your medicines online as you have been doing.

Does this change apply to everyone in my household?

It applies to anyone that relies on their local pharmacy or an online pharmacy to manage and order their medicines. If you do not take repeat medicines and you only receive prescriptions on the odd occasion, this change does not apply to you.

What if I am a housebound, vulnerable or on blister packs/dosette boxes?

This change does not affect you and your pharmacy can continue to order medication on your behalf.

Medication reviews

We are keen to ensure that patients with ongoing medical problems are monitored regularly. If the date for your next review with a doctor or nurse has passed you will be asked to make an appointment.

Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)

This allows us to send your prescription directly to the pharmacy of your choice electronically without the need to print a paper prescription.

In order to be able to use EPS, you need to choose a pharmacy, this is called a nomination. You can do this through the NHS app.

If you don’t want your prescription to be sent electronically, please inform a member of the reception team and you can continue to collect your prescriptions as normal.

For more information about EPS please visit the NHS website here