Acute prescriptions are for items which are required to alleviate an acute problem that has just arisen. Consequently, the majority of acute prescriptions are issued during surgery consultations and are only for short term use.
Repeat prescriptions differ from acute prescriptions in that, after your GP has first prescribed your medicines, you can request future installments of medication without having to attend an appointment.
In some instances, where an acute problem has not yet resolved or recurred, an acute prescription may be requested in writing from the practice WITHOUT the need for a further appointment. This includes such medications as creams for eczema and fungal infection, and tablets for recurrence of gout or herpes simplex infection.
The practice is unable to issue acute prescriptions for antibiotics, unless a clinical assessment has been undertaken. Antibiotics are medicines used to treat or prevent infections caused by bacteria. Your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics when they’re really needed. This is for your own health and to prevent the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance. It’s very important for everyone to use antibiotics correctly.
A clinician will assess your written request for acute medication and the reason that this is required, and one of two outcomes will be decided:
- acute medication is issued following written request. This process will take 48 hours
- request for medication is refused as a further consultation and clinical assessment is required
To request acute medication from your GP surgery, this can either be requested in writing and posted into the practice or emailed to Data.W97611@wales.nhs.uk.
My Surgery App also has a form available to request acute medication, which can be found at the bottom of the home page.
Alternatively, the Common Ailments Service can offer Over the Counter medication for a wide range of minor illness, including thrush, hayfever, acne and eczema. This is a free NHS service that covers 27 common ailments which is offered by all pharmacies in Wales, without the need for a GP appointment.
Hospital Prescriptions
When you are discharged from hospital you should normally receive 7 to 14 days' supply of medication.This will include the medication which you require after your treatment.
The hospital may provide you with a yellow discharge letter for medication they would like you to request from your GP. Please bring this to the surgery or post via S.A.E. before your supply of medication has run out as these requests take 72 hours to process. Please ensure your name is on the yellow discharge letter to ensure we can process the request for you.
Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by a Clinician first, and if necessary will issue you with a prescription. The Practice will endeavour to issue your presciption as soon as possible, but it cannot be issued until your medical details are checked by a Clinician.
Private Prescriptions
We are receiving numerous requests from patients to have medication that has been prescribed to them privately issued on the NHS.
The Practice Of Health DOES NOT have to issue any private prescriptions that have been issued or recommended by a private practitioner. Patients are expected to pay the full cost of any treatment they receive in relation to the care provided privately; consultation fees, diagnostic tests (e.g. requests for blood tests, BP check, ECGs, etc.), drugs prescribed or treatment provided by a clinician in the course of a private consultation should be at the patient’s expense.
Our GPs may consider and agree to take over prescribing once you have been discharged by your private consultant. We can only do so if you have been discharged appropriately, and the treatment you are receiving falls within the scope and recommendations of the NHS. If your episode of private care is ongoing, or the consultant has discharged you prior to the completion of your care, we will not be able to get involved. Ultimately, it is down to the doctor’s judgment on whether we are able to take on the clinical responsibility of their medication. There are many factors that the GP has to consider, however if you disagree with their judgement you may contact the practice manager, who can arrange for a second opinion.
It is worth noting that there are numerous exceptions where we cannot issue a prescription for you in any circumstances; not all medicines are available on the NHS, and some medicines can be dangerous and require careful monitoring that cannot be undertaken in primary care.
Current guidance can be found below:
https://awttc.nhs.wales/files/guidelines-and-pils/prescribing-dilemmas-a-guide-for-prescribers-pdf2/