A Repeat Prescription or a Special Request Prescription

Ask our reception team for a list of your repeat medication. Items not on this list are ‘Special Requests’ and a doctor will review the medication before prescribing. 

It is your responsibility to call the practice back to see if this medication has been prescribed. The reception team will not call you. 

If you are on repeat medication you will be reminded, on your repeat slip, to book a medication review with us at least once a year.  

Collecting your prescription

Allow 4 working days (excluding weekends & bank holidays)

It is your responsibility order in plenty of time before your medication runs out.

Tell us if you want to collect your prescriptions from the practice or a local pharmacy. (During COVID we are asking that all prescriptions are collected from the pharmacy)

Check you have collected everything before leaving the pharmacy. If anything is missing call the pharmacy directly. 

Some items take longer to process and items may come in different bags - especially if you have a special request as well as your repeat prescriptions. 

If you can't order online you can fill in a prescription request form at the surgery or post it to us. Please supply stamps if you want the paper prescription to be posted back to you. You will then need to take this signed prescription to a local pharmacy. 

Please advise the reception team of your chosen pharmacy. They will add this to your notes and all your prescriptions will be sent directly to the pharmacy.  

Below is a list of pharmacies that collect from the practice. The collection times vary dependent on the pharmacy. Please let the reception team know if your pharmacy is not on the list below.

• Pathhead Pharmacy - 01875 320020 - Open 9am-1pm + 2pm-6pm Mon to Fri  and 9am-1pm on Saturday.
  
  
• Pharmacy (Dalkeith) - 0131 663 0129
  
  
• Pharmacy (Newbattle) - 0131 663 3523
  
  
• Lyndsay & Gilmore Woodburn - 0131 663 0372
  
  
• Boots Chemist Dalkeith - 0131 663 3158
  
  
• Gorebridge (Main Street) - 01875 820 422
  
  
• Gorebrige (Hunterfield Road) - 01875 820 345

Reducing Antibiotic Use                                             

"Do I really need this treatment?"               

Antibiotics are important medicines designed to treat serious infections caused by bacteria (e.g. pneumonia, meningitis, septicaemia/"blood poisoning").

Antibiotics do not have any effect on viral infections (colds and flu, ear infections, sore throats, sinusitis, most coughs).

Antibiotics can cause side effects.

Also, taking antibiotics that you do not need can lead to antibiotic resistance, and as a result antibiotics become less effective against the serious bacterial infections they were intended to treat. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be very difficult to treat and sometimes even life-threatening.

You can help avoid antibiotic resistance by only taking antibiotics when you really need them and they have been recommended to you by a healthcare professional.

"Are there simpler options?"

• Have plenty of rest.
• Drink enough fluids to avoid feeling thirsty.
• See your local pharmacist to recommend simple medicines like paracetamol to help your symptoms or pain.

"What happens if I do nothing?"

Your immune system will start to clear up most common infections in a few days. You should expect:

• a sore ear to last around 4 days
• a sore throat to last around a week
• a cold to last around 10 days
• sinusitis to last around 2-3 weeks
• a cough to last around 3 weeks

Fever can be a sign that your body is fighting the infection. Seek medical advice if you have a rash, if you develop severe headache or feel confused, if you have difficulty breathing or chest pain, if you cough up blood, or if you are feeling worse rather than better. Seek advice about children sooner rather than later if they are unwell or have uncontrolled fever.