Prescriptions

Dispensary

Approximately half of our patients are eligible to receive their medication from our dispensary at the Riverside Health Centre.

If you live more than a mile (as the crow flies) from a community pharmacy, then you come into this category. If you are unsure whether you qualify, please ask.

If you see the doctor or nurse and medications are prescribed, the prescription will be dispensed to you on your way out – just make yourself known to the dispensers and they will call you when the drugs are ready.

Dispensary opening Times

Our dispensary is open Monday to Friday 08:30-13:00 and 14:00-18:00, we also close each bank holiday day for the full day

Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions are medications that are taken regularly – when you require a further issue you do not need to see a doctor unless you are due for a medication review. This applies to both patients we dispense to and also those who get their medications from the chemist.

Repeat requests can be made either online, by post, or directly to the surgery using the Repeat Medication slip that comes with your prescription.
You can also request repeat medication online. You will need to sign up for online access for this service, which the dispensary staff will set up for you. You will need to bring a form of ID with you such as a passport or driving licence.

Requests for medications not listed as repeats will be referred to one of the doctors, who may wish to see or talk to you regarding these.

Please allow 48 hours for requests to be processed.

We follow the North East Essex CCG policy and provide 28 day supply of medication, on repeat.

Dispensary Repeat Scheme

If you have regular repeat medications that do not change you may wish us to add you to our repeat scheme.

As we know that you will require your medications 28 days after the last medications were collected, those whose details are on the scheme will have their regular medications prepared before the 28 days have elapsed and can collect them without having to put in a repeat request.

This simplifies the procedure for both the dispensary and the patient. On collection you will be informed of the date after which your next medications can be collected.

This does not apply to ‘as required’ medications – which will still need to be requested.