Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

You can order prescriptions online via NHS App ,by logging into PATCHS or you can Log in to Patient Access .

Order medications seven days before running out and only request what you need. Nominate a pharmacy for electronic prescriptions via the NHS app or by calling the surgery.

Prescriptions will be processed within 48 hours, following this please contact your pharmacy directly. We cannot take prescription requests by phone. If you lack internet access, use the written request form in the practice’s prescription box.

Please note, we can NOT take any prescription requests over the telephone.

ADHD Medication prescribing

We recently reviewed our ADHD prescribing policy to maintain high standards of care and safety.

Patients prescribed ADHD medication must have a 6-month review, including a physical check-up. We do not provide this service. It’s crucial to attend your Specialist ADHD clinic appointments for this purpose.

Please contact the relevant clinic if needed: Community Paediatrics (0151 514 2526) for children, or CWP (0300 303 3157) for adults.

We no longer prescribe medication for patients under 18 attending private ADHD clinics. Parents seeking new assessments should contact their child’s school directly.

Prescribing of Benzodiazepine and related medications for flying/procedures

Devaney Medical Centre has taken the decision not to prescribe Benzodiazepine and related medications such as diazepam in cases where the there is a fear of flying. We also do not prescribe for dental procedures, scans or hospital procedures. There are a number of reasons for this that are set out below.

Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there is an emergency during the flight it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.
Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours.
Whilst most people find benzodiazepines like diazepam sedating, a small number of people experience the opposite effect and may become aggressive. Benzodiazepines can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law.
According to the national prescribing guidelines that doctors follow (the British National Formulary, or BNF) benzodiazepines are not allowed to be prescribed in cases of phobia. Thus your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing diazepam for fear of flying as it is going against these guidelines. Benzodiazepines are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight.
Diazepam and similar drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police.
Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing you may fail this having taken diazepam.

If for a dental procedure, scan or hospital procedure, we recommend you contact your dentist or consultant to discuss this further. We are unable to prescribe.

We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. A much better approach is to tackle this properly with a Fear of Flying course run by the airlines. We have listed a number of these below.

Easy Jet

www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
Tel—0203 8131644

British Airways

www.flyingwithconfidence.com/venues/manchester
Tel—01252 793250

Virgin

https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/wellbeing-and-health/flying-without-fear.html

Tel—01423 714900/1252250

Queries about your medication

For medication queries, use the PATCHS Administration option.

Think Pharmacy

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What is Pharmacy First?

The Pharmacy First scheme means you can go and see a pharmacist about several minor illnesses and conditions you would previously have had to see your GP about. You can visit your pharmacist for a consultation and they will treat you and prescribe medicines if necessary. If your condition is more serious you will be referred to a GP or hospital.

Your pharmacist will asses your suitably for treating you and may refer you to another health service if they feel it’s more appropriate.

What conditions can you see your pharmacist about?

Under Pharmacy First, pharmacists can treat and prescribe medicines for seven conditions. These are the conditions, and at what age, you can see the pharmacist about:

Earache – 1 to 17 years.
Impetigo – 1 year and over.
Infected insect bites – 1 year and over.
Shingles – 18 years and over.
Sinusitis – 12 years and over.
Sore throat – 5 years and over.
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections – women 16-64 years.

Anyone not within these age ranges should see their GP.

There are many other conditions which you can also see your pharmacist about rather than your doctor. These include:

Aches and pains – such as, back pain, headache and period pain.
Accidents – such as, sprains, minor cuts, and grazes
Colds, flu and other infections – such as, cough, congestion, fevers and/or temperature.
Ear care – such as, ear wax.
Eye care – such as, conjunctivitis, styes.
Hay fever – which is not controlled by standard over-the-counter treatments.
Rashes.
Skin problems – such as, athlete’s foot, cold sores, or mild eczema or psoriasis.
Stomach aches – such as, constipation, diarrhoea, or indigestion.

How to see your pharmacist

More than 10,000 pharmacies across the UK are part of the scheme – that’s more than 9 out of every 10. Generally, you can just walk in to your closest or preferred one and ask for an appointment – or they will see you straightaway if there is availability. If you’d prefer, you can call and ask for a video consultation with the pharmacist.

You may also be referred to a pharmacy appointment from:

NHS 111 – online, telephone and the NHS App.
Integrated urgent care clinical assessment services.
Urgent treatment centres.
A&E.
999.
Your GP.

To find out your nearest pharmacy and check if it is part of the scheme go to NHS pharmacy finder or just walk in.

What will happen at your pharmacist appointment

Your consultation with the pharmacist will always be confidential and in a private place. The pharmacist will ask you questions about your health – they may need to know about your previous medical history, any allergies, any medicines you are taking, and the symptoms you are experiencing. They will ask you before checking any medical records.

For some conditions, the pharmacist may ask to have a look at what is wrong – for instance, if you have an earache, they may use an otoscope to look into your ear. The pharmacist will not use diagnostic tests to check for specific conditions – such as checking a pee sample for a UTI or swabbing your sore throat.

The pharmacist will recommend the best course of action to treat your condition – this could be that your illness is best to run its course, they may prescribe medication such as antibiotics. If your condition is more severe they may refer you to another health service or professional.

The notes of your consultation will be added to your medical records.

What else can you see a pharmacist about

As well as the conditions covered under Pharmacy First and other minor illnesses, there are many other issues and topics your pharmacist will be able to help you with, these include:

Advice on using and disposing of medicines.
Contraception.
Blood pressure checks.
Chlamydia screening and treatment.
Quitting smoking.
Cholesterol and blood sugar testing.
Drug use – including needle and syringe exchange schemes.
Help on how to manage your weight.
Some vaccinations.

If your symptoms last for more than two weeks or do not get better you should see a GP. If your symptoms are severe and you are worried, call 999 or go to your local A&E.

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