Prescription FAQS
You can order your prescription by coming to the surgery and putting it in the secure box, you can
post it, fax it, e-mail it or use the secure form on the website. In all cases we need your full name,
date of birth and details of your medications.
Postal address: The surgery, The Gardens, London, SE22 9QU
Fax: 020 8299 4481
e-mail address: souccg.gardenssurgery@nhs.net
Website: www.thegardenssurgery.co.uk
1. The difference between a repeat and an acute prescription
An acute prescription will be given as a one-off for a medical problem – for example antibiotics to
clear up a chest infection. Repeat prescriptions are more commonly given for long-term conditions
which are managed with a regular medication.
2. If you drop your prescription in the letter box, we recommend that you put it in an
envelope marked prescription or better still put it in the secure prescription box
Putting it in an envelope provides privacy around your medication and treatment. Posting it in the
secure prescriptions box means it is less likely to be damaged or lost.
3. You can sometimes get a few days prescription from the chemist but it’s better if you
order in advance
Not all chemists will provide emergency prescriptions and they always mean more work for GPs and
reception staff. It also provides a margin if the Dr needs to review your prescription.
4. Why are medications reviewed
So you and the GP have an opportunity to check there are no unacceptable side effects and that the
medication is still working
5. Order in good time: what is good time?
If you have the same medication all the time, and it’s been reviewed relatively recently and your
condition is stable, and there are no worrying side-effects, the deadline is 48 working hours. 3 days is
sensible
If you have a number of medications that keep changing and you are asked for a BP check or
weighing, or you take Warfarin and need to provide your yellow book, then a week is better
Reception staff will always do their best to get your prescription for you before you run out but
observing reasonable timescales makes for a calmer and more efficient process.
6. A list of your regular prescriptions can be printed off and provided for you.
Not all GPs set the computer to routinely print off a counterfoil with your regular medications on it.
This is because it wastes large amounts of paper and toner. If you have a lot of medications and
want a list of them, GPs and reception staff will be happy to print it out for you
7. Tick what you want if you have the prescription counterfoil
We ask for all prescription requests to be made in writing or provided to us using the counterfoil
where this has been provided. Patients sometimes don’t tick what they want and we cannot guess –
medications are sometimes very expensive. Please tell us who you are with date of birth and what
you want. The website has a handy form you can use.
8. Why don’t you tell me in advance if you’re not going to provide my prescription
We do our best to e-mail phone or text people if there is a problem with their prescription request.
Have we got the correct landline, mobile number, or e-mail address for you? You can tell us if it’s
changed through the update address details button on the home page of our website or tell any of
the reception staff or use the prescriptions e-mail address see above.