Prescriptions
Repeat Prescriptions
If you take regular medication and need a further supply, please order your repeat prescription using one of our online services:
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The NHS App
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SystmOnline
These are the quickest and safest ways to request your medication.
Alternatively, you can:
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Complete the repeat prescription slip from your last prescription and post or drop it into the surgery
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Email the surgery with your request
If you need help setting up or accessing SystmOnline, please contact the surgery.
Please note:
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We do not accept repeat prescription requests by telephone, except in emergencies or exceptional circumstances
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Due to national supply issues, please allow at least 5 working days between ordering and collecting your prescription
If you need medication urgently, please contact your usual surgery site and we will do our best to help.
For Portesham Patients
Dispensing services at Portesham Surgery
Portesham Surgery is a dispensing practice. This means that patients who live more than one mile from a community pharmacy are eligible to collect their prescribed medicines from our on-site dispensary.
Where an urgent (“acute”) prescription is issued during a consultation, we aim to prepare this on the same day, where clinically appropriate.
Our dispensary is staffed by a trained and experienced team who dispense approximately 6,000 prescription items each month, following national medicines safety standards.
Ordering repeat prescriptions
Patients are asked to order repeat prescriptions at least 5 working days before the medication is required. This allows sufficient time for:
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Prescription authorisation
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Ordering and delivery of medication
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Dispensing and final accuracy checks
This process supports patient safety and helps ensure continuity of care.
Remote collection points
To improve access for patients who live some distance from the surgery, we can arrange for prescriptions to be delivered to approved local collection points, such as a post office, shop, or public house, with the agreement of the business involved.
Please contact the surgery for further information or to request use of a remote collection point.
Patients are asked to collect prescriptions within 5 days of arrival. This ensures:
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Fair use of local business premises
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Compliance with medicines legislation, including requirements to return uncollected medicines to stock within 10 days of ordering
Dispensary opening times
The dispensary is open Monday to Friday for routine medication collections:
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08:30 to 12:00
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16:00 to 18:00
Please note that the dispensary is closed on the afternoon of the last Thursday of each month.
For Dorchester patients:
All prescriptions at the Dorchester site are issued electronically and sent directly to a local pharmacy of your choice. Where appropriate, prescriptions can also be printed for collection from the surgery, allowing you to take them to a pharmacy yourself.
We aim to process prescription requests within 2 working days of receiving them.
Please note that, due to ongoing national supply chain pressures, pharmacies are advising patients to allow up to 5 working days before collecting their medication once the prescription has been issued.
If you have urgent medication needs, please contact the surgery for advice.
Email requests and dispensary eligibility
Please use the NHS App wherever possible, as this is the quickest and safest way to request prescriptions.
Email requests should only be used in exceptional circumstances.
Email addresses:
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Portesham Dispensary patients:
📧 portesham.dispensary@dorsetgp.nhs.uk -
Dorchester site patients or those outside the Portesham dispensing area:
📧 pow.reception@dorsetgp.nhs.uk
Important:
The NHS only allows dispensing services for patients who live more than one mile from a pharmacy. Patients who live closer to a pharmacy (including most Dorchester patients) will need to collect their medication from a community pharmacy.
Electronic Prescribing Service
We use the Electronic Prescribing Service (EPS). This means we can send most prescriptions directly to a pharmacy of your choice, saving you a trip to the surgery.
If you would like to nominate or change your pharmacy, please contact Patient Services.
Weekends and Bank Holidays
Please make sure you have enough medication to cover weekends and bank holidays.
If you run out of medication when the surgery is closed:
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Please do not attend A&E or Out of Hours for routine medication
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Contact your usual pharmacy, who may be able to provide an emergency supply (a charge may apply)
Planning ahead helps keep urgent services available for those who need them most.
Medicines Information
For general information about medicines, including side effects, please visit the NHS Medicines A–Z.
Page created: 06 September 2024
