Need Repeat Prescription While Away [SOLVED]

TryingToWork

I am going to Surrey for 3 weeks (from up north), just 2 days before I am due to order my Repeat Prescrition. I have so far always been able to time it so I can always home when I get my prescrition. 

I have heard that it is possible to pick up a repeat prescription from any pharmacy in England. Is this true?

Can someone tell me how this works please? It is not easy to get in touch with my doctor. And I can't order it the way I always do; through my usual pharmacy. 

I hate using the doctor's app. Talking to a human being is the best option for me. But I was too busy to go to the surgery today. And next week is too late. If I go into a pharmacy when I am away, can they contact my doc's and get my repeat prescription that way? 

Thank you 

unforeseen

I've always arranged with my gp to get my repeat early

sheslookinhot

I order my repeat prescription directly from the chemist. If I need it early, I tell them and give them the reason.

DullGreyGuy

I order repeat prescriptions from the NHS app, since it was introduced have had no problems unlike all previous methods. When you put a request in you can 1) define which pharmacy to collect from which can be anywhere in England and 2) add notes. 

Personally I wouldn't ask for it to be collected elsewhere as I would inevitably forget to change it back the next time but instead would add a note saying I'm asking a week earlier because of a holiday (no need to say where in the world it is)

TryingToWork

Thanks a lot. That advice is great for next time. 

But I go away on Monday so there is no time to get my prescription a week early!

How do I get the NHS app you mentioned please?  

Thank you

DullGreyGuy said:

I order repeat prescriptions from the NHS app, since it was introduced have had no problems unlike all previous methods. When you put a request in you can 1) define which pharmacy to collect from which can be anywhere in England and 2) add notes. 

Personally I wouldn't ask for it to be collected elsewhere as I would inevitably forget to change it back the next time but instead would add a note saying I'm asking a week earlier because of a holiday (no need to say where in the world it is)

Lorian

If you are going to run out while you are away and it is critical then consider talking to the pharmacist today.

baser999

I submit my repeats through the local pharmacy and there’s a facility on there to message my GP or pharmacy so I add that I’m going to be away and would like medication early. Never been an issue.

LinLui

It isn't going to be popular, and you may have a wait to get spoken to, but if you call 111 and explain that you are away for 3 weeks and have forgotten /been unable to get your repeat prescription, then they can send an emregency request through to a pharamcy near where you are (make sure you know which one you want). ALternatively some areas got so fed up of the faff with this that they have set up local walk in systems to which 111 can refer you where you can go and they will sort out issuing you with a prescription. 

The other alternative is to go to any GP surgery near where you are staying, explain that you forgot / were called away urgently (the latter might sound better) and you can book an emergency appointment - technically any GP practice can issue the prescription because they shoul all have access to at least your basic records.

debsy42

My friend realised when she got to Gatwick she'd left her diabetic medication at home !! She rang her surgery who were able to do a prescription immediately and sent it to the pharmacy at Gatwick. A member of staff then walked her medication over to the terminal and all was well. I should imagine your surgery should be able to do the same in sending it to a different pharmacy, it doesn't seem like anything complicated. Be prepared, find a pharmacy near to where you are staying and ask the surgery to send it there.

Ms_Chocaholic

Can you change the pharmacy on the app to one close to where you are going and submit the request as normal.

TryingToWork

Lorian said:

If you are going to run out while you are away and it is critical then consider talking to the pharmacist today.

Thanks your reply was the last one when I left the house this morning. And I took your advice and got to the chemist just before they shut. They told me to go to my GP surgery first thing Monday and they very kindly wrote down what I need to ask them, to enable them to send my prescription to the local pharmacy in Surrey. 

Thanks for all the other replies. Very helpful, cheers.