Siam Surgery issues 28 day prescriptions, which means that each time you get a prescription, you will receive enough of each medicine to last you one month.

Patients on long-term medication can order a repeat prescription via the NHS app or their online services account.

Telephone requests will be taken only under exceptional circumstances. To speak to the prescribing team please call 01787 322420 and select option 2.

Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

Over the years there has been a need for us to adapt our service to protect our patients, our staff and the capacity to meet increasing demands. We have gone from accepting repeat prescription requests over the phone and in person to introducing our email system during the pandemic, and we have now taken the decision to ask all of our patients to order their repeat medication via the NHS app or online services account from 1st March 2024. Any repeat medication requests being sent to siamsurgery.prescribing@nhs.net will not be actioned.

The first, and most important reason for this change is your safety. The practice is getting busier and busier with more patients on repeat medication for increasingly complex conditions. We work hard to keep the risk of prescribing errors to an absolute minimum. When requests are taken over the phone there is a much greater risk of miscommunication, when emails are received (sometimes in duplicate or multiple for the same patient) there is more chance of something being missed or confusion being created which can cause unnecessary delays. The NHS app and online services accounts link directly into our clinical system, these requests are still actioned by our staff however all relevant information is readily available to them and the process is much more straight forward on both ends.

We ask that only those who are unable to access the internet request their medication over the phone because, due to the reasons outlined above, we would like to keep this to an absolute minimum. Please be assured that those patients requiring additional support from us will still be able to access it.

Thank you very much.

To find out how to order prescriptions via the NHS App, please follow this link; 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dY_aPWfJqo 

To find out how to order prescriptions via SystmOnline, please follow this link; 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbGPOCP4P7w 

Download the NHS App and create an account today 

For iPhone https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-app/id1388411277 

For Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nhs.online.nhsonline&hl=en&gl=US 

For web access https://www.nhsapp.service.nhs.uk/login 

Download SystmOnline today 

Create an account first - https://www.siamsurgery.co.uk/edit/register-for-online-services 

For iPhone https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/systmonline/id711398510 

For Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=px.app.systmonline&hl=en&gl=US 

For web access https://systmonline.tpp-uk.com/2/Login?Date=20231220124144 

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see or speak to a Clinical Pharmacist at least once a year to review these regular medications. We will either contact you opportunistically for the review, or invite you to book with us via SMS with an online booking link, over the phone or by letter.

You will have a face-to-face appointment or telephone call which is longer than the typical GP appointment. The clinician will use this time to check your medicines are working and not causing side effects. It is also a chance for you to tell us how you are getting on with your medicines - and to ask questions and find out more about them.

Questions to think about before the appointment that you may wish to ask: 

Why am I taking these medicines?

Do I still need all my medicines?

What side effects do they cause?

It is difficult for me to open the containers - can you help with this?

It is difficult to remember to take my medicines – can you help with this? I

It is difficult to swallow my medicines - can you help with this?

I run out my medicines at different times – can you make this the same time for all of them?

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. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
• 3-month PPC: £31.25

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.

Siam Surgery Supports 28 Day Prescribing

28 day prescribing means that each time you get a prescription, you will receive enough of each medicine to last you one month.

What is the reason behind this?

Research has shown that a very large amount of medication is wasted when doctors prescribe for two months (56 days) resulting in the loss of millions of pounds of NHS money. This money could be used to provide services elsewhere in the NHS.

The Department of Health supports one month prescribing and has said: “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”.

28 day prescribing is supported by the West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group.

How will 28 day prescribing affect you?

If you are being prescribed a “repeat medicine” your doctor will prescribe enough of each medicine to last you for 28 days. For example, if you are taking 2 tablets a day you will receive 56 tablets, 3 tablets a day 84 tablets, 4 tablets a day 112 tablets etc.

Are there any exceptions?

There are some drugs which are prescribed in 3 or 6 monthly amounts e.g. contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

What are the benefits of 28 day prescribing?

You will always start (and finish), the container of each medicine on the same day of the week. In this way, it will be easier for your doctor to review all of the repeat medicines you are taking and to see if you might be having problems with any of your medicines.

Companies already manufacture a large number of medicines in 28 day ‘calendar packs’ that show the day of the week on the packaging. This packaging allows you to check and monitor that you have taken your medication each day

28 day prescribing reduces the amount of medicine which is currently wasted when medicines are stopped or changed by doctors. It also reduces the amount which is wasted when partly filled containers are thrown away.

At the moment, a large number of patients make several visits a month to the surgery because their medicines run out at different times. As you will finish your medicines all at the same time, you should only have to visit the surgery once a month to collect your repeat medicines. It will also reduce the likelihood of needing to make an emergency request if you run out of medicine.

Does it cost patients more?

The vast majority of patients collecting repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges; therefore there will be no difference to these patients in terms of cost. If you do have to pay prescription charges and you need more 4 or more prescription items in 3 months (or 13 or more prescriptions in 12 months), the best way to pay for your prescriptions would be to obtain a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC). Apply following the link online, or ask at reception or your pharmacy if you would like more information.

• All medicines should last for the same number of days. If you are running out of some items or have too much of some medication, please tell the practice.
• Do not stockpile medicines at home; only order those items on your repeat prescription that you need. Return unwanted medication to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
• If you have any questions about 28 day prescribing after reading this then please ask in the surgery or direct written queries to Prescribing Clerk Siam Surgery
• Should you require further advice, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for confidential support or guidance, on telephone 0800 3896819 or write to PALS, Rushbrook House, Paper Mill Lane, Bramford, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 4DE.