How to order a prescription
1. The NHS App
The most convenient way to order a prescription if it is on repeat is via the NHS app which you can download to your smart phone.
If your regular medication needs reauthorising by your GP, it won’t appear on the repeat list on the app and so you won’t be able to request it. This is the way the app is set up and we can’t change that. It is likely to still be on your repeat list at the surgery, and this can be confusing. Often, we can issue the medication, but it will require a GP to authorise so it is best to contact the surgery by email as below to request these items, or to send a message in the app if you are able to.
Your repeat medications will also not show if they are not due to be requested yet. Again, we cant change this but they will still be on repeat at the surgery and will re-appear in the app when they become due to be requested.
2. By Email
You can email our prescription team at prescription.cds@nhs.net This is useful if the request is not a straightforward request for a repeat, but is a request for a medication that you have had before or which has been recommended by a hospital or specialist. Not all medications recommended by specialists can be prescribed by your GP practice, but most NHS and RUH requests will be prescribable by us. We prefer you to use the email address for prescription queries rather than using the triage form.
3. Via SystmOnline
You can register for online service with SystmOnline and use the online log in to access your record and request medications. All repeat medications will show on this even if they need reauthorising and you can send us messages about your request also via this method.
4. Hand Written
You can attend the surgery and leave a hand-written request for a prescription- please use the prescription request boxes at either site.
In all cases we will need to know the name and dosage of the medication you need. We are not able to process requests that simply ask for ‘that medication or cream I had before’.
For safety reasons we cannot take prescription requests over the telephone.
You will need to choose a pharmacy to prepare your prescription and collect your medication from.
Please be aware it takes us up to three working days to process a prescription request and send it to your pharmacy. It may take your pharmacy another 2-3 days to prepare the prescription. For this reason, please aim to make your prescription requests at least 6 days prior to when you need them.
For regular medications on repeat we usually provide 2 months at a time, unless there are medical or legal reasons that we cannot. Any controlled drugs are usually prescribed for a maximum of 1 month at a time.
Updated November 2025.