Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:
- using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
You can also:
- fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
- bring the paper form to the surgery, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6.30pm
- By post to: Bloomfield Medical Centre, 118-120 Bloomfield Road, Blackpool FY1 6JW.
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.
What if I need help ordering my prescription?
We know some patients might struggle to use our ordering methods. This could be due to health conditions or patients being vulnerable.
If you are struggling, then you can ask your nominated pharmacy to order on your behalf. You must inform us of this agreement which we will check with the pharmacy.
Where is my prescription?
For most, your prescription will be sent electronically to you nominated pharmacy. You can manage your nominated pharmacy on the NHS app or website, or you can contact the practice.
With the NHS app, you can also track the status of your repeat prescription request to see if we have sent it to your nominate pharmacy.
If you don’t have a nominated pharmacy, you can use the NHS app to view your prescription (with a barcode) which you can take to any pharmacy in England to get your medication. This means you do not have to collect a token from the practice.
How can I get an urgent prescription from the GP?
f you have run out of your medication for any reason, we will try our best to issue your prescription more urgently.
If you require an urgent prescription, you should contact the practice on 01253 344544, ideally in the morning. Our phone lines open at 8am (except from bank holidays).
It is important to understand that our team will work very hard to help you with these urgent requests, but sometimes it is not always possible. This may be because of affecting factors, such as public demand, time, unavailability of patient contact when requested, etc.
We ask that all patients will order on-time, allowing for 2 full working days for your order to be processed, using our ordering methods.
Can NHS 111 help?
When the practice is closed, you can use NHS 111 to request a limited emergency supply of medicine you have completely run out of.
This must be a medicine you are prescribed regularly, through a repeat prescription. You will be charged your usual prescription fee. If you do not usually pay, it will be free.
You can not use this service to request antibiotics, treatment for new symptoms or controlled drugs which require identification to collect.
For more information, click here.
To find a local pharmacy which is open late, click here.
Collecting your prescription
It takes us up to 2 full working days to get your order processed and ready for you.
For example, if you order on Monday before 1pm, we will have your prescription ready for you on Wednesday after 1pm.
You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.
You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:
- on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
- at your GP practice
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
Questions about your prescription
If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.
The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.
If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:
- fill in our medication query form.
Medication reviews
If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.
Why do I need a medication review?
As part of your ongoing treatment for any health conditions you may have, patients are invited to book medication reviews with either a doctor or a clinical pharmacist.
Medication reviews should be done at least once a year, but in some cases you may be invited to book a review sooner than this. This goes for all patients, no matter how long they have been on the same medication for.
During a medication review, you are given a space to discuss how your medication is working for you, and you can also express any concerns you may have regarding your current medications.
Medication reviews are beneficial to have, because:
- They help us to ensure you are on the correct medication for your condition.
- That your medication is working in the most effective way for you.
- That you are only taking the medication you need to take.
- Preventing medicine waste, saving money for you and the NHS.
How do I book a medication review?
If you would like to book a medication review, please contact reception on either 01253 344544 to book a routine appointment with a clinical pharmacist or a doctor.
Alternatively, we may invite you for a medication review by calling you, sending you a letter, a text or a self-booking link via text message.
Prescription charges
Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).
What to do with old medicines
Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.
About pharmacists
As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:
- coughs
- colds
- sore throats
- tummy trouble
- aches and pains
They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
Pharmacy First?
What is Pharmacy First?
Feeling unwell with your minor illness? The NHS Pharmacy First service means that patients should visit their local pharmacy before visiting their GP for their minor illness.
For the below 7 conditions, you can now have a face-to-face consultation with a in a consultation room with your pharmacist and get treatment on prescription*. The 7 conditions are:
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
Notice regarding Diazepam for flying
The practice has made a decision that we will not prescribe Diazepam for patients who wish to use this for a fear of flying.
We have made this decision due to the following reasons:
- Diazepam is a sedative. This means, the medication makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there were to be an emergency during the flight, this could impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions or react to the situation. This could seriously affect the safety of you and the people around you.
- Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however, when you sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means, your movements during sleep are reduced and this can place you at an increased risk of developing blood clots (DVT). These blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk further increases if your flight is over 4 hours long.
- Although most people respond to benzodiazepines like Diazepam with sedation, a small proportion experience the opposite effect and can become aggressive. They can also lead to disinhibition and make you behave in ways you normally wouldn’t. This could also impact on your safety and the safety of your fellow passengers or could lead you to get in trouble with the law.
- National prescribing guidelines followed by prescribers also don’t allow the use of benzodiazepines in cases or phobia. Any prescriber prescribing diazepam for a fear of flying would be taking a significant legal risk as this goes against these guidelines. Benzodiazepines are only licensed for short-term use in a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the problem you suffer with, you should seek proper care and support for your mental health, and it would not be advisable to go on a flight.
- In several countries, diazepam and similar drugs are illegal. They would be confiscated, and you might find yourself in trouble with the police for being in control of an illegal substance.
- Diazepam has a long half-life. This means it stays in your system for a significant time and you may fail random drug testing if you are subjected to such testing as is required in some jobs.
We appreciate a fear of flying is very real and very frightening and can be debilitating. However, there are much better and effective ways of tackling the problem. We recommend you tackle your problem with a Fear of Flying Course, which is run by several airlines. These courses are far more effective than diazepam, they have none of the undesirable effects and the positive effects of the courses continue after the courses have been completed.
For help for the fear of flying, please visit: