Prescriptions

Patients on long-term medication can order repeat prescriptions:

Dispensary

If you live in one of the villages surrounding St. Ives or more than 1 mile from the surgery we would like to encourage you to use our dispensary. We have trained staff available to dispense your medication every day. Please allow 3-5 working days for our dispensers to prepare your medication.

If you have an arrangement for a local chemist to receive your prescription you will now need to contact the chemist to inform them that you have ordered your repeat prescription and request that they collect it.

This is a change from the existing scheme so please make sure you inform your chemist each time you order and they will arrange collection.

The practice policy is to prescribe 28 days supply. A second prescription can be obtained for holidays. Please make this clear on your request.

For some medical conditions the “batch prescribing” facility is available.  Please ask your doctor for information.  Unfortunately due to Department of Health regulations this is not permissible for dispensing patients.

Self Care Medication

The Medicine Optimisation Team of the Cambridgeshire CCG has instructed us to stop prescribing treatments that are available over the counter, inexpensive and used intermittently. This includes hay fever medication which we are therefore no longer routinely issuing and instead asking patients if they are able to purchase themselves.

The main reason for this rationing is the very challenged financial position of the Cambridgeshire health economy which if not addressed will result in cuts to important services which will affect us all but we must also remember that there are advantages to buying these medications as it promotes self care, independence and reduced reliance on the surgery.

At The Spinney we understand that such changes are not popular but all of us must do what we can to protect our fragile health economy and we will prescribe for those patients unable or unwilling to support our local NHS in this way.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see either a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.