We are a part dispensing practice which means we can dispense medication to patients registered at our practice and who live 1 mile from their nearest chemist.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
We are closed on a Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays
Dispensary contact number
0117 9322108 (main surgery number; please ask to speak to dispensary)
Dispensary staff
Michaela Coles – Pharmacy Technician
Sarah Lawson – Dispensing Assistant
Jane Faulkner – Bank Dispensing Assistant
Our services
- Dealing with request for repeat and acute prescriptions from patients, chemists, district nurses and nursing homes
- Issuing prescriptions via the computer for authorisation from the GP’s to all dispensing and non-dispensing patients
- Dispensing prescriptions for dispensing patients, temporary residents, and district nursing staff where applicable
- Dealing with queries from patients, nursing homes, nursing staff, practice staff and retail chemists locally where appropriate
- Dealing with the destruction of drugs returned to the dispensary by dispensing and non-dispensing patients, nurses and GP’s
- Delivery of dispensing patients medication to remote collection point in Bitton
Repeat prescriptions
A repeat prescription is one which the doctor has authorised a patient to request at designated intervals and for a specified time without consultation
Repeat intervals
Our practice policy is to supply medication for intervals of 28 days. The exception to this is hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptive pill prescriptions. These may be issued in 3 or 6 monthly quantities.
Acute prescriptions
Acute prescriptions are issued within a consultation (either face to face or telephone) by the GP. They are (or anticipated to be) a “one off” course or for new medications where follow up is needed.
Non-repeat items
Any item, which is a non-repeat item, must be requested in writing either by using our on-line service, by dropping off your counterfoil in our box in reception or completing one of our prescription request forms available on the dispensary hatch. The GP’s will decide whether the medication requested is appropriate and safe to be issued again.
Urgent requests
Please contact reception and ask to be put through to dispensary between 9.30am and 5pm. They will advise you how you can order urgent medication.
Ordering prescriptions
Please order your repeat prescription a few days before you run out of medication. It is important to leave 72 hours before collecting your repeat prescription from the chemist as this allows us to process your request and for the the GP time to review your records and sign the prescriptions. Do not order your repeat medication too soon. You should have less than 10 day’s supply of medicines left before re-ordering.
All types of prescriptions can be ordered in the usual manner in writing or via our website www.closefarmsurgery.co.uk (you will need a Patient Access account to do this. Please attend reception with proof of ID and we can you register you for this service) or by arrangement with your usual pharmacy.
Please note, if you send your request electronically on a Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holiday it will not be dealt with until the next working day.
How to obtain medicines out of ours in an emergency
If you are going away for longer than the usual period between your repeat prescription requests, please remember to ask at dispensary for more medicines to cover this period.
If you do run out of medicines whilst holidaying in England or over a bank holiday, you may be able to get an emergency supply using one of the following options:-
- If you are away from home a community pharmacist may be able to give you an emergency supply of your usual medicines to cover you for up to 5 days
- Whilst you are away, you may be able to see a local GP as a temporary resident who will give you a prescription after a consultation
- An NHS Walk-in Centre may be able to arrange for you to see a GP. In some cases, NHS Walk-in Centres can provide you with medicines after you have seen a nurse
- A GP out-of-hours service may provide a prescription for your medicine
- We may be able to send a local chemist to you an electronic copy of your prescription via the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)
Dispensary complaints
We always try to give our patients the best service possible, but mistakes and misunderstandings can happen. If you are unhappy with the service you have received and want to make a complaint, please do so as soon as possible and we will investigate. You can either telephone or write to Carlos da Rosa, our Practice Manager who will take the full details and investigate in line with our own practice complaints procedure. All complaints received verbally or in writing by the dispensary, regarding the service we provide, will be dealt with thoroughly and speedily and with regard to the duty of confidentiality.
We are happy to receive suggestions which might improve our service.
