• Over the phone - 01638 552211 and choose option 3
  
  
• Patient Online Services is now available to use at our Practices (see link above). This allows you to request your repeat medication online. To set up online services, please bring in photo ID and speak to a member of the reception team. For more information, please visit the link 'online services'.

Allow 3 full working days for prescriptions to be processed. Please remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

• The Reynard Dispensary Telephone line: Option 3 when calling main surgery number 9am - 12pm & 2pm - 4pm
• The Reynard Dispensary Opening Times: 8:30am - 1:00pm & 2:00pm - 6:00pm
• Reynard Dispensary email: reynard.dispensary@nhs.net

This is a dedicated telephone line where you can order your prescriptions and also discuss any medication queries you may have.
This phone line can be very busy at times, so please be patient.

You can sign up to order your medication online (Please contact reception to arrange this).

We dispense medications directly to patients, if they live more than 1.6km (approximately 1 mile) from a Pharmacy. (This is a government rule, not ours)

The Reynard Surgery Dispensary, Red Lodge accepts payments by card using a chip and pin device or contactless payments.

Patients that we are not allowed to dispense medicines to, can either be given a prescription to take to a Pharmacy of their choosing or we can send it electronically to a pharmacy of their choice.

The Dispensers will be happy to discuss any queries or questions about your medication. A private room is available, should you not want to discuss this in public at the Dispensary hatch, please just ask.

In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), GP'S and pharmacies are moving suitable patients to electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD). 

You might be suitable for eRD if you receive regular or repeat medicines that do not change regularly. 

How eRD can help:

• Your GP can authorise your medicines to be collected monthly or two monthly from your pharmacist.
• There's no need to contact your GP every time you need to order a repeat prescription - you can go straight to your pharmacy.
• Your pharmacist will check it is still safe for you to receive the medicine every time you collect.
• Your pharmacist will let you know when you need to contact your GP to review your medicines.

eRD can also save time and money for your GP practice, pharmacy and NHS.

Ask your GP or pharmacist about switching to eRD today. 

For more information please follow this link or watch this helpful video.

It is important that you are aware of why you take your medications, and that we are aware of any side effects; it is also very important that the medication you take is actually working!

In order to ensure this, we will ask you to have regular medication reviews. In certain cases, if you take more than six regular medications, we invite you in for a so called polypharmacy review-this may take a little longer than normal.

Certain types of drugs, such as opiates also need to be reviewed regularly, and you will be requested to attend an opiate review as appropriate.

You will be reminded to have routine blood test if your medication requires them for monitoring purposes.

Click here to submit an online medication review.

Help with NHS costs

In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:

• Those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
• Those who are age exempt
• Those with certain medical conditions
• More information is available at NHS Choices

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
• 3-month PPC: £31.25

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 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

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website.

Antibiotics are powerful medicines and should only be taken when prescribed by a health professional.

When antibiotics are prescribed, remember to tell the clinician if you have any allergies, or are taking other medicines, especially the contraceptive pill. It is important that you always take it as directed; a lower dose, or at the incorrect interval or duration encourages resistance to develop.

Antibiotics can upset the natural balance of the bacteria in your body. This allows more harmful bacteria to increase and may result in diarrhoea or thrush.

Getting better without antibiotics:

How should I treat my cold?
The best way to treat most colds, coughs and sore throats is to drink plenty of fluids and to rest. Colds can last about two weeks, and may end up with a cough. There are many over the counter remedies to ease the symptoms-paracetamol for example. Ask the pharmacist for advice. However,
if the cold persists, you become breathless or have chest pains, or already have a chest condition, see your G.P.

What about my children? They are always getting colds...
It is very common for children to get colds, especially when they mix with other children such as at school. Ask your pharmacist for advice. However, if you are concerned, see a doctor, but antibiotics may not be the answer.

Should antibiotics not be used to treat colds?
All colds and most sore throats are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not work against viruses.

What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Bacteria can adapt to find ways to survive
the effects of antibiotics. They become antibiotic resistant so that the antibiotic no longer works. The more often we use an antibiotic, the more likely it is to develop resistance. Some bacteria that cause infections in hospitals, such as MRSA, are resistant to several antibiotics.

Why can’t different antibiotics be used?
They can, but they may not be as effective, and may have more side effects; eventually the bacteria will become resistant to them as well. We cannot always be sure that we can develop new antibiotics to replace the old ones.

How can antibiotic resistance be avoided?
By using antibiotics less often we can slow down the development of resistance.
Your doctor will only prescribe antibiotics when you need them. They may be life saving in severe infections such as meningitis. By not using them unnecessarily, they are more likely to work when we need them. Always follow the directions for use.

There are some medicines and treatments that you do not need a prescription for.

Please do not ask your Doctor to prescribe;

• Medicines for coughs; colds; hay fever or indigestion.
• Moisturisers or bath additives.
• Pain killers for minor aches and pains.
• Antiperspirants.
• Athlete's foot creams and powders.
• Creams for nappy rash; bruising; tattoos or varicose veins.
• Creams; gels or bandages or sprains or sports injuries.
• Head lice lotions and shampoos.
• Lozengers; throat sprays; mouthwashes or gargles.
• Treatments for constipation; diarrhoea or threadworms.
• Treatments for minor ache.
• Drops to remove ear wax.
• Tonics; vitamins; health and weight-loss supplements.
• Sun creams.

You can buy these medicines and treatments from a Pharmacy or from some shops or supermarkets. Ask your Doctor or Pharmacist for more information.