Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order your repeat prescriptions are:
- Using your NHS account (via the NHS website or the NHS App)
- using the GP online system: Patient Access
- By email: swlicb.wimbledonmedicalscripts@nhs.net
If you have more than one repeat prescription, please try to order all items at the same time.
Please clearly indicate where you would like your prescription to be sent.
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription 2 working days after ordering.
Prescription Enquiries Line
Monday to Friday, 9am–1pm
You will need to nominate a pharmacy to collect your prescriptions.
You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:
- On the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
- At any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
Private prescriptions
In the UK, private prescriptions are not automatically converted into NHS prescriptions. However, in certain cases, if you meet the necessary criteria, a doctor may decide to issue an NHS prescription.
New patients
Newly registered patients will require a GP appointment before any medication can be issued.
This appointment allows us to:
- Review your current prescriptions
- Discuss any updates
- Address any concerns
We want to ensure your treatment plan is up to date and suitable for your needs. Please contact the practice to arrange your appointment.
Exemptions
People in the following categories are automatically exempt from prescription charges:
- Children under 16
- Young people under 19 in full-time education
- People over 60
- Pregnant women and women who have had a baby in the last 12 months
- People receiving certain benefits
- People with specific medical conditions
Generic medicines
A generic medicine contains the same active ingredients as the original patented medicine. However, it is much cheaper to purchase. It may be a different shape or colour from the original brand, but it works in exactly the same way.
Why is this good for patients?
As demands on the health service grow, generic medicines provide safe and effective treatment while reducing the cost of pharmaceutical care. Generic medicines are widely used in many EU countries and are increasingly prescribed by GPs.
Generic medicines stimulate competition between pharmaceutical companies once the patent on the original brand expires. This allows doctors to prescribe medicines safely while reducing costs to the surgery, enabling more services to be provided within the available budget.
What you need to know
If you take regular medication, try to remember its name and strength. Sometimes you may be given a different brand. To reduce the likelihood of this, try to use the same pharmacy each time.
If you are concerned about your medication, your doctor or pharmacist will be happy to discuss it with you and provide reassurance.
Medication reviews
If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to attend a regular review. We will contact you when you need to come in.
Prescription charges
In the UK, private prescriptions are not automatically converted into NHS prescriptions. However, in certain cases, if you meet the necessary criteria, a doctor may decide to issue an NHS prescription.
You can find more information about prescription charges on the NHS website.
Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).
What to do with old medicines
Return old medicines to the pharmacy you received them from or bring them to the surgery.
Do not put medicines in your household bin or flush them down the toilet.
About pharmacists
The NHS Pharmacy First service allows pharmacists to assess and treat seven common conditions without the need to see a GP. These conditions include:
- Sinusitis
- Sore throats
- Earaches
- Infected insect bites
- Impetigo
- Shingles
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women
Each condition has specific age criteria for treatment under the service.
Pharmacy First helps people access faster treatment for minor illnesses, reduces pressure on GP appointments, and enables pharmacists to use their clinical skills more fully — including supplying prescription-only medicines where appropriate under agreed clinical pathways.
Many pharmacies are open late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment. Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss any concerns with pharmacy staff.