Prescriptions can be requested by registering for online ordering, Via NHS APP or by email to: prescriptions.f81126@nhs.net

We recommend as we receive a large number of emails that family members are requested on separate emails with the patient name in the subject heading to avoid requests being overlooked

or by placing your repeat in the Wooden box in the surgery entrance, of if closed we have a letter box at front of building or by posting the repeat by Royal mail.

Please TICK or CIRCLE the items that you require only if using your repeat slip.

For those who are housebound you can discuss your prescription request/query with a prescription clerk over the phone Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm ONLY. Call reception to book.

Repeat prescriptions will be signed by your GP within 48 hours (except if there is a bank holiday) THEN forwarded to your chemist of choice.(2 WORKING DAYS)

If you have been advised by your consultant, specialist or recently been discharged from hospital on different medication please advise the team when you next order your medication to ensure you are provided the correct prescription.

Please note, patients are issued with 28 day supply of drugs in accordance with ICB (previously known as CCG) guidelines.

Please note:

We no longer take prescription requests by telephone except for housebound patients

Stopping of managed repeats – Patient frequently asked questions

 What are managed repeats?

Practices across Mid Essex are moving away from managed repeats. ‘Managed repeats’ is a pharmacy based system where the community pharmacy orders medication on behalf of the patient. Pharmacies will often hold the patient repeat slip and submit these directly to the surgery.

Why can’t the pharmacy hand in my repeat request slip on my behalf?

We believe that you, the patient (or an appointed friend, carer or relative), are best placed to order your repeat medicines.

What is the rationale behind this change?

The advantages of this change include:

Reducing medicines waste – By checking your medicines cupboards at home, you can help reduce medicines waste by only ordering what you need and additional medicine does not get ordered for you accidentally.

• Saves GP time – especially if patients use eRDs
• Saves your time if medicines are ordered electronically using eRDs, NHS app, online through your GP practice login.
• Cutting out the middle man – by communicating directly with your GP practice will save time and prevent communication issues when another party is involved. 

Is this to save money?

No. This change is to re-invest the current medicines wastage spend back into the NHS where it is most needed

When do I order my repeat prescription?

       Order your repeat prescription 7 days before you are due to run out and not earlier. If you are         on electronic repeat dispensing, your pharmacy will inform you when you collect your last batch        of your medicines. You will then need to contact your surgery as your doctor might want to see             you for a medication review before giving permission to issue your prescription.

How do I order my repeat prescription?

• Online (the easiest and safest way) for example, via the SystmOnline or NHS apps, My GP. Once signed up to one of these, you can order your medicines from any PC, smartphone or tablet
• Email your request to the surgery: prescriptions.f81126@nhs.net
• Hand in your repeat slip at the surgery in wooden box at front of practice
• Post your repeat slip to the surgery

A friend, relative or carer can assist you with any of the above means of ordering your repeat prescription.

 What if I don’t have access to the internet?

You can either send us your request by post or hand it in at the surgery.

Can a relative drop my repeat prescription request to the practice?

Yes. A friend, carer or relative can drop the request to the surgery on your behalf.

 I already request my repeat prescription online. Do I have to re-register?

No. Please continue to order your medicines online as you have been doing.

 Does this change apply to everyone in my household?

It applies to anyone that relies on their local pharmacy or an online pharmacy to manage and order their medicines. If you do not take repeat medicines and you only receive prescriptions on the odd occasion, this change does not apply to you.

What if I am a housebound, vulnerable or on blister packs/dosette boxes?

Please contact the surgery to discuss your situation. We will arrange an agree an appropriate solution on a case by case basis for ordering your medication.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.  Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges April 2023

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item):  £9.65  
• 3-month Pre-Payment Certificate:  £31.25
• 12-month Pre-Payment Certificate:  £111.60

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a Pre-Payment Certificate. 

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public - Buy or Re-new Pre-Payment Certificate

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website

HRT Certificate

Painkillers- Opioids

MEDICATION REVIEWS BY TELEPHONE

The PCN (Primary Care Network) has employed for the Dengie Practices a Company called Provision Healthcare who employ clinical pharmacists to review your medication over the telephone, they can discuss all areas of your medication and will forward any concerns you or they have to your GP to follow up.

Going forward we hope this service will have a beneficial factor to the patients who do not require to be present on the premises and can still have a review.

can do 3 types of reviews

Standard Medication Review approximate duration 20 minutes

Structured Medication review approximate duration 30 minutes

A structured medication review aimed for patients taking various medications this will be a critical examination of a person's medicines with the objective of reaching an agreement with the person about treatment, optimising the impact of medicines, minimising the number of medication‑related problems and reducing waste.

Asthma Review approximate duration 20 minutes

The pharmacists are from an independent company and will contact you over your phone (the telephone number ID will not be a local call or maybe anonymous/withheld) on 3 separate occasions if not been able to make contact, our receptionist  or prescription clerk will re-arrange if you missed the calls an approximate appointment time  on a day to suit you.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to speak to a doctor or a clinical pharmacist, at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip or via letter. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account. If you wish to collect your medicine direct from the chemist please remember to allow extra time for this service.

Most pharmacies offer a delivery service for those who are house bound or shielding. Please contact your pharmacy of choice to arrange this.

Mid Essex Weblink for Over the counter: Self Care Guidance

Burnham Surgery supports the principles of the Mid Essex Policy on medicines that are available over the counter. An increasing range of medicines are available for purchase. It is particularly the case for patients with a self-limiting illness that they are expected to purchase such medicines after seeking appropriate advice from a community pharmacist or other healthcare professional. Please see the Mid Essex Policy. Mid Essex CCG Medicines Optimisation

Q RISK 10 -19% 

Your GP or Nurse may mention during your medication review 'Q Risk' this is a calculation of a person's risk of developing a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years. A letter below outlining what you can do to improve your score and reduce risk yourself if your Q Risk is between 10 -19%

Q Risk 10-19% We are writing to you today because you have recently had a blood test which checked your cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a proven risk factor for heart disease and stroke. There are different types of cholesterol, and some can be beneficial. However, a certain type (called LDL) is harmful. In general, the higher your LDL cholesterol, the greater your risk of heart disease or stroke (CVD).

We estimate this risk using a tool called QRISK2.

Cholesterol is only one risk factor for CVD. Some risk factors you can control with lifestyle changes. Other risk factors (e.g. your age), you cannot control.

Risk factors for CVD are:

• Age, sex (more common in males) and ethnicity

• Medical conditions – high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease

• Strong family history of heart disease (in relatives under 60 years old)

• Poor diet and excessive alcohol

• Smoking

• Being overweight and lack of exercise What does risk mean? Risk is the chance of something happening. Your risk of developing CVD is never zero and increases as you get older. Your QRISK2 score will tell you whether you are at low, moderate or high risk of developing CVD in the next 10 years.

• Low risk = QRISK2 score of less than 10% - this means you have less than a one in ten chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years

• Moderate risk = QRISK2 score of 10-20% - this means you have between a one to two in ten chance of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years

• High risk = QRISK2 score of more than 20% - this means you have at least a two in ten chance of having a stroke or heart attack in the next 10 years

What can I do to reduce this risk?

• Reducing your cholesterol, whatever the level is currently, will help to reduce the risk of having a stroke or heart disease.

• Reducing your blood pressure (if it is high).

• Controlling your diabetes if you are diabetic.

• Stopping smoking

• Increasing exercise and being a healthy weight are also things you can do to help.

Do I need medication?

There is national guidance from the National Institute for health and Care Excellence (NICE) stating that patients with a stroke/heart disease risk between 10 and 20% should be offered cholesterol lower medication (also called statins). Previously this was only offered to patients with extremely high cholesterol or a risk over 20%. There is good evidence that taking statins lowers your risk of heart disease/stroke if you have a risk of 20%. There is also some evidence that this may be effective for patients, like you, with a risk between 10 and 20%. If you would like to discuss starting medication, please make a routine appointment (this can be over the phone) with your usual GP.

Do I need to check my cholesterol again?

With your level of risk we would advise that you have your cholesterol checked again in 5 year’s time. If you make changes to your diet and would like to see the effect that this has had of your cholesterol, then please request another test in 6-12 months. If you are started on a cholesterol lowering medication, then you will require an earlier blood test

Further online information

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol https://patient.info/health/high-cholesterol

NICE decision aid for taking a statin: http://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/publications/heartconditions/understanding-cholesterol