Requests for Prescriptions for Schools / Nurseries
We aim to provide our patients with the highest quality of care and support. You may have been asked by your school to provide a prescription for over-the-counter medication as the school will not administer such medication unless it is prescribed by a GP.
We would like to clarify that GPs would not normally prescribe simple OTC medications for any patient, including children, and a doctor’s prescription should not therefore be required before administering such medicines to a child.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) licenses all medicines and classifies them as OTC when it considers it safe and appropriate that they may be used without a prescription. It is therefore appropriate for OTC medicines to be given or authorised by parents when they consider it necessary. This may be in a home, nursery, or school environment.
At Keighley Road Surgery, we believe that it would be a misuse of GP time to provide an appointment for a child with the sole purpose of acquiring a prescription for an OTC medicine to satisfy the ruling of a nursery or school.
We would like to refer to the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage – effective April 2017, which identifies current national standards for day care and childminding from birth to five. This framework states that non-prescription medication can be administered if the parent has given prior written consent for the administration of any medication. Providers must keep a written record each time a medicine is administered to a child and inform the child’s parents and/or carers on the same day or as soon as reasonably practicable.
Schools should set out the circumstances in which non-prescription medicines may be administered. A child under 16 should never be given medicine containing aspirin unless prescribed by a doctor. Medication, e.g., for pain relief, should never be administered without first checking maximum dosages and when the previous dose was taken. Parents should be informed.
We hope that this clarifies the situation regarding the unnecessary request for a doctor’s prescription for OTC (i.e., non-prescription) medicines. At Keighley Road Surgery, we are committed to supporting our patients in the best way possible, and we are always here to help with any concerns or questions that you may have.
Ordering repeat prescriptions
Once your medication has been approved, repeat prescriptions can be obtained in the following ways:
- using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
- using the GP online system: SystmOnline
- send it to us with a stamped addressed envelope if you want us to post it back to you
- drop your repeat slip (attached to your last prescription) into the surgery letterbox having clearly marked the items required
We do not take repeat prescription requests via email.
Collecting your prescription
Repeat prescriptions will be ready after 5:00 pm two days after your request and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.
Most prescriptions can be sent electronically and securely to the Pharmacy of your choice. Please register your interest with your favourite Pharmacy – this saves you time as you no longer have to come to the Surgery to collect the prescription in person.
You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.
You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:
- on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
- at your GP practice
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
Questions about your prescription
If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.
The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.
Medication reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.
Prescription charges
Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).
What to do with old medicines
Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.
About pharmacists
As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:
- coughs
- colds
- sore throats
- tummy trouble
- aches and pains
They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.