Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

Please allow at least 48 hours for all medication requests to be processed. 

There are several ways you can order your repeat medications.

We do not accept prescription requests over the phone. All requests must be made in writing to avoid misunderstandings and mistakes.

• Prescriptions can be requested through the NHS App, Online Services, in writing, or by post.
• Patients on long-term medication can also order repeat prescriptions by completing the slip from their last prescription, simply marking the items required. You can put your repeat prescription request in the post box just outside our front door or in the white box at reception.

Online Services 

SystmOnline and Airmid 

SystmOnline or Airmid are efficient ways to order your repeat prescriptions.

To login to SystmOnline please Click Here

If you would like to be registered for SystmOnline, please contact the surgery to be provided with your login details. Once you are registered, you can follow this video below on how to order your medications.

For further information on SystmOnline, please Click Here

For further information on Airmid, please Click Here

NHS App 

The NHS App is another great way to order your repeat prescriptions.

To download the NHS App, please Click Here

For further information on the NHS App please Click Here

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor or speak to the Surgery Pharmacist once a year to review their regular medications. A notification should appear on your repeat slip or the surgery may request you book an appointment with our pharmacists to review your medication.

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

We also request that if your medication requires annual monitoring such as blood tests or blood pressure, this is organised in a timely manner to avoid problems with future prescription requests.

What to do if you forget to order a repeat prescription

If you forget to order a repeat prescription and thus run out of important medication, you may be able to get help from your local pharmacy. You may also call 111 for emergency prescriptions including controlled drugs and antibiotics.

For further information about out-of-hour medications please Click Here

To request an emergency prescription please Click Here

How do I know if my medication is ready for collection?

All prescriptions are processed in the order we receive them. Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account. We recommend ordering your prescriptions when you have 7 days supply left to avoid being without medication. Please contact your nominated pharmacy to see if your medication is ready for collection.

Your Nominated Pharmacy 

To locate your local pharmacy please Click Here

If you would like to change your nominated pharmacy, please contact the surgery before you order your medication.

Your local pharmacist can also help to answer your questions about your prescriptions or over the counter medications. They can advise how to take your medication safely, help you understand the correct dose of your medication and how often you should take it.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Some patients are automatically entitled to free NHS prescriptions while others require an exemption certificate.

For information about prescription costs please Click Here or Here

NHS Prescription Fees

These charges only apply in England.

• Prescription (per item): £9.90
• 3-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £32.05
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £114.50
• 12-month PPC for hormone replacement therapy (HRT): £19.80

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public – Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

For further information about a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) please Click Here

Over-the-Counter Medicine

Prescribing over the counter medication is changing.

The NHS spends approximately £569 million on prescriptions for medicines which could be purchased over the counter from a pharmacy, petrol station or supermarket, at a lower cost than that which would be incurred by the NHS. In line with guidance from NHS England the Brighton & Hove and High Weald Lewes Havens CCGs are recommending GPs will no longer routinely prescribe medicines from common conditions which can be bought over the counter. By reducing the spend on treating minor conditions that are self-limiting and encouraging self-care, the NHS can spend the money it will save on treatments that have a greater impact on health. The GP will no longer routinely prescribe:

• Items of limited clinical effectiveness such as pro-biotics, vitamins and minerals
• Medications for self-limiting conditions which do not require any medical advice or treatment as it will clear up on its own, such as a cough, sore throat and colds.
• Treatments for a condition that is suitable for self-care, which can be treated with items that can be easily purchased over the counter from a pharmacy, such as indigestion, mouth ulcers, warts and verrucae.

Being EXEMPT from paying a PRESCRIPTION CHARGE or having a PRE-PAYMENT CERTIFICATE does not automatically warrant an exception

Speak to your local pharmacist about stocking up on your medicines cabinet to treat common conditions for you and your family.  By keeping a selection of essential medications at home you can treat common conditions in a timely manner: avoid unnecessary trips to see your doctor and/or even visits to the A&E Department

For further information on this change please Click Here

Travelling Abroad and Medications 

If you are travelling abroad, please allow up to 72 hours for your medication request to be processed. When submitting your request, ensure you include the dates you will be travelling so that we can issue the appropriate quantity of medication.

Please note that, in line with NHS guidance, we are only able to provide a maximum supply of 3 months.

Prescribing for Fear of Flying or Medical Procedures

At Saltdean and Rottingdean Medical Practice, we do not prescribe diazepam (or similar sedatives) for:

• Fear of flying

• Claustrophobia during scans (e.g., MRI)

• Medical or dental procedures under specialist care

This policy has been agreed upon by our GP partners and is followed by all clinicians at the practice.

Why We Don’t Prescribe Diazepam in These Cases:

• Safety Risks: Sedatives impair alertness and reaction time, increasing the risk in emergency situations—particularly on flights or during procedures.

• Blood Clot Risk: Sedation reduces natural movement, raising the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), especially on long flights.

• Unpredictable Reactions: Diazepam can cause agitation, aggression, or disinhibition in some people, which can be dangerous in confined or high-pressure environments.

• Not Licensed for Phobias: Medical guidelines do not support the use of diazepam for treating phobias, including fear of flying.

• Legal Issues Abroad: Diazepam is a controlled drug and may be illegal in some countries—even with a prescription.

• Workplace Drug Testing: The medication can stay in your system and result in a positive drug test, which may affect employment.

MRI and Other Medical Procedures

Most MRI or CT scans are arranged by hospital specialists—not by your GP. If you’re anxious about an upcoming scan:

• Please speak with the referring hospital team or radiology department.

• GPs are not permitted to prescribe sedatives for procedures they are not supervising, as this may pose safety risks.

• Similarly, for dental work or surgeries, the specialist or dentist is responsible for arranging any required sedation.

Support for Fear of Flying

If you experience fear of flying, we recommend exploring dedicated courses that many patients have found helpful:

• EasyJet Fearless Flyer

• British Airways Flying with Confidence

Need Help with Anxiety or Phobias?

We understand anxiety can be distressing. Please book an appointment with one of our clinicians to discuss safe, evidence-based treatment options or referrals for mental health support.