To order a repeat prescription

• take or send your printed repeat list to the surgery ticking the items you require.
• Send an email to prescriptions.petworth@nhs.net  lisitng the items you need. Please remember to include your name and date of birth.
• Order your repeats online via SystmOnline / Airmid or NHS App.

Please note:

• We do not accept medication requests over the telephone.
• If medication has been lost a pharmacist may be able to provide a small emergency supply. Dispensary should be informed who will then refer the matter to the doctor concerned.
• The Surgery is unable to send medications via post.

If you live more than 1 mile from Petworth surgery you can collect your medication directly from the surgery at the dispensary. If you live inside this radius, your prescription (non-dispensing) will be sent directly to Petworth Pharmacy (or to your nominated pharmacy) where you can collect your medication, or you can collect your prescription in person to be taken elsewhere (in this case you would collect your prescription at reception).

Please note that all requests take 3 working days to process. Online requests are picked up until 13:00 each day. Any request made after this time will be actioned the following working day. Don’t forget to take into account statutory bank holidays and weekends when the surgery is closed.

If you have a query regarding your prescription:

Dispensing Patients

If you normally collect your medication from us and you have a query, please ring the surgery, select the option for the dispensary and leave a message on the voicemail. The dispensary staff listen to their messages twice a day and will call you back that day. Please make sure that you do leave a message so that we can help you with your query and avoid a delay with your medication request.

Non-dispensing Patients

If you usually collect your medication from the chemist and have a query about your prescription request, please speak to a receptionist. They can help you directly or contact the dispensary team for further guidance.

As the vast majority of practices issue 28 day repeats, we have decided to make this change in line with best practice and because there are huge benefits to our NHS.

We hope you will support this decision.

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The Department of Health states that;

“A 28 day repeat prescribing interval is recognised by the NHS as making the best possible balance between patient convenience, good medical practice and minimal drug wastage”.

Benefits

• • It will reduce the amount of medicine which is currently wasted when medicines are stopped or changed. It will also reduce the amount which is wasted when partly filled containers are thrown away.
  • Reduction in the overall number of drugs present in the home, which reduces the risk of harm from overdose and accidental poisoning of children.
  • Coordination of prescription start and renewal date makes the process of producing repeat prescriptions within the practice much easier and quicker.
  • Compliance and concordance issues can be spotted more easily if the basic medication regime is well managed.
  • In some cases, regular, monthly contact with a dispensing pharmacist can contribute to the medication monitoring of the patient and bring problems to light sooner.
  • For those patients that pay for their prescription you can buy a prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) from the NHS which may make your prescriptions cheaper.

Thank you for your understanding,

The Partners

For more info click here

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 from 01/05/2024. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.90
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £114.50
• 3-month PPC: £32.05
• HRT PPC cost £19.80

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.

From 10th December 2023 our dispensary telephone line opening hours will be changing. The phone line will only be available for urgent queries, between 10:30AM-11:30AM & 15:30PM-16:30PM for patients who are housebound or have no internet access.

From 23 June 2025, people living with obesity and four or more diagnosed health conditions will begin to have the opportunity to access tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight loss support through their GP /Primary Care services. This process will be managed through the practice directly contacting people who are eligible, this does not mean that prescriptions will be given out immediately. Practices will be contacting people who have been identified as eligible over the coming weeks.

Access to the medication goes hand in hand with support to help with eating habits and start/improve physical activity as part of a national wrap around service. Access to prescribed weight loss medication will be predicated on a patients engagement with this service.

At NHS Sussex, we are committed to helping people live healthier lives. We understand how difficult it can be for many people living with obesity to access the support they need. That is why we are working closely with partners across Sussex to provide services that help people make long-term, sustainable changes to improve their wellbeing.

Obesity is a complex health condition and one of the leading contributors to serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. It also places a significant strain on health services, costing the NHS around £6.5 billion each year.

Full qualifying criteria is a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40 or greater and four or more of the following diagnosed health conditions:
• type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular disease
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Dyslipidaemia

We understand that some people may feel frustrated or disappointed if they are not eligible for medication-based treatments at this stage. Living with obesity can be emotionally and physically challenging, and it is completely normal to experience a range of feelings when seeking support for your health. If you are finding things difficult, NHS Talking Therapies offers free and confidential help for people who may be struggling with low mood, anxiety or other emotional pressures.

To find out more about obesity treatment and the support available on the NHS Sussex website. You can also learn more about local by speaking to your GP or healthcare team. You can also read the following for more information:

NHS England » Weight management injections
PRN01728_Expanding Access to the Weight Loss Drug Tirzepatide - FAQs_December 2024_ Final 5.12.24.docx