Swanley Medical Practice

Repeat Prescriptions

If you are on long-term medication you can order repeat prescriptions by downloading the NHS App. 

You can also send us an email to cedars.swanley@nhs.net (please note that we can only deal with prescription requests in this mailbox) or put a paper request in the green post box just inside the surgery doors at the Cedars site.

Your prescription will be processed and sent electronically to your nominated Pharmacy.

Please ensure you allow 3 working days for your medication to be sent electronically to the Pharmacy.

PLEASE NOTE WE CANNOT ACCEPT REQUESTS OVER THE TELEPHONE AT THE SURGERY.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

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

Urgent repeat prescription requests

Please order your repeat medication in good time. Routine repeat prescription requests are normally processed within 3 working days, but we ask patients to allow at least 5 working days before the medication is needed to allow time for it to be processed by the practice and the pharmacy.

We receive a high number of prescription requests every day, so urgent requests can be difficult to process safely. To help avoid delays, please order when you have around 1 week's medication left, especially before weekends, bank holidays, or if you are going away.

How to order

Please request your repeat prescription using the NHS App or by submitting a written request to the practice via cedars.surgery@nhs.net.

We do not accept repeat prescription requests by phone. Many practices use this approach to reduce the risk of errors and to keep prescription requests safe and accurate.

If you need medicine urgently

If you have run out of a regular repeat medicine and need it urgently, please use NHS 111 online or call 111. NHS 111 can arrange a limited emergency supply through a community pharmacy when appropriate.

You can also speak to a local community pharmacy directly, as some pharmacies may be able to provide an emergency supply of a regularly prescribed medicine. The pharmacist will decide whether this is appropriate, and charges may apply in some cases.

Medicines we may not issue urgently

We cannot usually provide urgent prescriptions for medicines that can be bought over the counter, for medicines that need a review, or for certain medicines that need extra safety checks. This helps us make sure prescribing remains safe and appropriate.

Some emergency supply routes also restrict certain controlled drugs, and the amount supplied may be limited. Community pharmacy emergency supply guidance notes specific restrictions for some controlled drugs.