There is often confusion regarding the prescription arrangements at any surgery but we have developed a system at the Aveley Medical Centre that, we believe, is acceptable to our patients and yet meets the strict guidelines laid down in law by various bodies.

There are two types of prescription

The Acute Prescription

When a patient comes to the surgery and is seen by a doctor they are given what we refer to as an acute prescription. This is a one-off.  It could be a course of antibiotics or it could be a medication the doctor wishes the patient to try.  We are all different and different medications work with some people and not with others. If patients come back to the surgery and ask for more of the medication prescribed as acute our staff cannot produce this as a repeat and only the doctor can authorise this.  If you with another prescription of the acute type you must fill out a form at reception and the receptionist will ask the doctor for his medical opinion when he has finished surgery.

The Repeat Prescription

There are certain medications that have to be given on a regular basis and the doctors have identified these medications and will put them on ‘repeat’.  This means patients can bring the other half of their prescription from back to the surgery , tick the appropriate medication and this will be provided on an on-going basis.

Repeat prescriptions are NOT taken over the telephone, as we cannot verify from a phone call the exact person and the exact dose of the medication required.  We do not wish to make any mistakes and we have been informed that taking prescriptions over the telephone is no safe practice.