Repeat Prescriptions

New Opening Times from Jan 1 2019

Chulmleigh Dispensary Opening Times
Monday – Friday 8:30am - 6:30pm *

*Please note: Chulmleigh Dispensary will be closed on the 3rd Monday of every month between 1pm and 2pm for staff training.

Dispensing / Repeat Prescriptions

The Practice dispenses medication for all patients registered with Wallingbrook Health Group (WHG).

If you are taking regular medication the Doctor will place these items on repeat, allowing you to re-order them when required using one of the following methods:

Monthly Ordering System - our recommended method

To re-order your repeat medication we recommend you use our monthly ordering facility.

It is very simple to use. On picking up your monthly repeat simply reorder all you will require for the following month, we will then arrange a collection date (usually in 28 days' time) and provide you with a reminder card. Your medication will be ready to be collected on the date stated on the card at your preferred collection point. There is no need to contact us in advance to check if your prescription is ready.

Ordering via Online Services

You are now able to order your repeat prescription medication from the comfort of your own home. To use this service you need to be registered with the online services.

• Already registered for online services or need to register, click on link and choose tab Online Services- Our Services

Ordering via a Repeat Slip

To order your medication via a repeat slip tick the medication you require and hand it in to the Dispensary. Your repeat slip will be in your prescription bag.

Ordering via answerphone

To order your medication via answerphone, telephone the Surgery on 01769 580295 and press option 2 for the repeat   prescription line and leave a message stating your full name, date of birth, the medication you require and where you would like to collect it from. These prompts are given before you leave your message.

Dispensing Turnaround Times

Your medication can be collected from the Dispensary at the Chulmleigh Surgery, the Winkleigh Surgery or Dolton Post Office.

Patients requesting repeat medication from Chulmleigh

Patients requesting repeat medication from Winkleigh

Collecting repeat medication from Dolton Post Office

Medicines can also be collected from Dolton Post Office. Deliveries are made on Tuesdays and Thursdays so please allow a working week when ordering medication to be collected at these points.

Please note: refrigerated items cannot be delivered or collected from Dolton Post Office.

Remote Delivery of Medicines

Remote delivery of medicines is governed by the Medicines Act 1968 and is only recommended for patients who are housebound or have difficulty in travelling to the main dispensary. All remote deliveries will need to be signed for on collection to ensure that we comply with the regulation.

Please note that when medicines leave any of the surgery’s premises and handed over to a third party, we have no further control over its destiny.

Paper Prescriptions

Prescriptions can be posted or collected to take to a pharmacy of your own choice, please provide a stamped addressed envelope and allow 3 working days for the prescription to be processed, plus additional time for postage.

Hospital Prescriptions

If you have been given medication as a result of a hospital visit, whether as an outpatient or as a result of a stay, ensure any letters detailing any addition or change to medication are forwarded to the surgery as soon as possible. Your Doctor will update your record and notify the Dispensary, who will ensure any new medication is dispensed when required.

Month of Birth Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a Doctor, a Practice Nurse or a Health Care Assistant once a year during their month of birth to review these regular medications. The review date is detailed on your repeat slip.

During the month prior to your birthday, you will receive an invitation by letter, email, text or automated voice message asking you to make an appointment for the yearly review of your medical condition(s) and the medication you are taking.

Ensure that you book your month of birth medication review within one month of receiving your invitation to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

Obtaining Urgent Medication

If you urgently require medication during surgery opening hours, contact the Dispensary, who will advise of the options available.
 
If urgent medication is required when the surgery is closed, call 111 for advice. Alternatively you may be able to request this medicine from a local pharmacy in an emergency, subject to certain conditions.
 

For more information and advice visit the nhs.uk website:

  Click here for the NHS Out-of-hours medicine guide.

  Click here to see Devon Pharmacy Opening times.

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying NHS charges (prescription, dental, optical or hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription Prepayment Certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.00 as of 1 April 2019 increasing to £9.00
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00 (no increase)
• 3-month PPC: £29.10 (no increase)

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 12 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0300 330 1341
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS Choices Website

Practice Pharmacist - Karen Acott

Karen Acott is part of the clinical team. As practice Pharmacist she is trained to work directly with patients. Karen has detailed knowledge about drugs and their effects, and because Karen has extensive experience with patients, she routinely prescribes medications and monitors patients. Among other tasks, Karen provides routine clinics at the surgery to address patient concerns, diagnosing potentially untreated minor illnesses and conditions, consulting with patients on the effects of the drugs, and supporting patients with their prescribed drug regimes.

Historically the fundamental role of pharmacists as a healthcare practitioner was to distribute drugs to doctors, for medication that had been prescribed to patients. In more modern times, pharmacists advise patients and health care providers on the selection, dosages, interactions and side effects of medications and act as a learned intermediary between a prescriber and a patient. Pharmacists monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure the safe and effective use of medication.

More recently, some pharmacists have independent prescribing qualifications and are able to provide improved access to medicines. Many of these pharmacists are referred to as clinical/hospital pharmacists when they work in hospitals supporting consultant teams but are increasingly found in Doctors’ surgeries supporting the primary healthcare team, where they are commonly known as practice pharmacists or pharmacist practitioners (usually when they have prescribing rights).

At Wallingbrook Health Group, all patients are encouraged to speak to our Pharmacist Karen, who will be able to help with medication queries, shortage of medicines, medication reviews, discharge medication and chronic disease information. Karen will always liaise with your Doctor directly if there are complex issues that require a Doctor’s input and in some cases generate an appropriate appointment.

Working with Local Clinicians

As with most medical practices in North & Mid Devon we work from a limited list or ‘formulary’ of drugs and dressings. Local hospital consultants work from the same formulary.      Prescribing exclusively from this formulary means that we use drugs with which we are familiar and whose benefits, dose range and potential side effects are known.

Drugs are not excluded from the formulary on the basis of cost. New drugs are only introduced when they have been extensively tried and tested and proved to be effective and safe. Only under exceptional circumstances will we prescribe drugs not in the formulary, usually because of a recommendation from a specialist.

As part of the NHS campaign towards generic prescribing, you may notice a difference in the shape, colour or packaging of your medication. The actual medicine is exactly the same, only the company that makes it has changed. If you have any concerns about this, contact the Dispensary on 01769 580295. 

Local Pharmacy Opening Times

Other local pharmacies ready to help with your medication needs can be found in the links below.

Click here for local Pharmacy Opening Hours, including Bank Holiday opening hours

North Devon Christmas New Year Bank Holiday Hours

Mid Devon Christmas New Year Bank Holiday Hours 

East Devon Christmas New Year Bank Holiday Hours

Exeter Christmas New Year Bank Holiday Hours

General Medication Items

Items to have in your medicine cabinet.

Items to have in your first aid kit.

Paracetamol