Coronavirus & Pharmacies

Coronavirus & Pharmacies

The local pharmacies are experiencing a huge demand in prescriptions at this time.

They are taking slightly longer to process prescriptions and it can be up to a week from when we issue the prescription to when they have it available.

They are also experiencing issues with staffing and therefore their phone lines are often busy.

Unfortunately we have no direct line to the local pharmacies and therefore cannot process queries on their behalf, nor can we pass messages on to them.  Please do not contact us about a pharmacy issue as we will also struggle to contact them.

What can I do?

• Please ensure you do not ‘panic’ order your medication – only order what you need when you need it.
• You can order up to 10 days early but no more – this is to reduce the demand on the pharmacies as well as the GPs.
• Ensure you have signed up for Electronic Prescribing and Online Ordering so that you can keep a track of your prescription yourself.  Most pharmacies are offering a text service or e-mail service where they will contact you when it is ready.
• Please do not request a delivery service if you do not normally use one.  The current guidance is still that you can move outside your home for medical needs, including collecting prescriptions.  If you are struggling to do this please ask a neighbour, friend or a local volunteer group to collect on your behalf.
• Please do not ask the surgery to take your request over the phone as guidelines are still to order online where you can, and our reception team can help you set this up, or you can order by using our post box; you do not need to come into the surgery to do this.  Alternatively a friend, neighbour or volunteer can do this on your behalf.