Is this the norm now re GPs/prescriptions

55 replies

Nosejobnelly · 27/02/2026 20:05

I’m on medication which I take 2 x a day. I’m under consultant care but the prescription is managed by the GP and should be able to request repeats using the NHS App.

Was going to request on Monday as I meds run out today. Looked at the App and it said I could t request at that time.

My GP’s prescription line is only open for one hour a day, so in Tues I call them - I have to do a pointless e-consult and get an automated email to say I’ll hear back by 6.30om on Weds - maybe the Dr will send a text to say it’s been sent to the pharmacy or wants to discuss an aspect of my meds.

No contact from GP at all so I call yesterday morning. I’m getting a bit concerned now but Receptionist says the request is with the Dr and I should get a text that afternoon or today. Nope!

Now I’m getting really worried so I pop in to pharmacy in my way out this afternoon. Wasn’t on my way but no issue, left more time to get to my destination- speak to the pharmacist- she said my surgery takes 5 days to process a prescription (although Receptionist said 3). Thankfully she took pity on me and issued me an emergency prescription for 4 days, so I’m covered. I even told the Receptionist I run out today so as far as they know i didn’t get my meds in time.

I have been thinking of changing surgeries for a while but idk if that more hassle! My DD changed to the possible new one from her old uni GP and it seems to be taking ages to go through (ironically she requested her meds this morning from her old uni GP as she’s still registered there and they’re ready to collect already!).

If I was old/infirm/working somewhere I couldn’t make/receive calls easily I wouldn’t be able to be so proactive. What do people do in these situations?

OP posts:

Imlyingandthatsthetruth · 27/02/2026 20:30

Possibly different surgeries can interface with the NHS app in different ways, but for us it's just as GasperyJacquesRoberts said: request a new prescription on the app when getting low, dr approves it, usually day or two later, and they're ready at the chemist straight away.

If your surgery is different to this it sounds pretty crap, hopefully most aren't.

mindutopia · 27/02/2026 20:24

I use an online pharmacy (Pharmacy2U, which was formerly Lloyd’s pharmacy). I don’t use the NHS app at all. I order via the online pharmacy and they sort everything via the GP. It’s usually approved within 24 hours and turns up in the post within 3 days of submitting the request. I would try an online pharmacy first to see if that speeds up the process when you remove yourself from doing all the chasing.

Octavia64 · 27/02/2026 20:24

I have similar problems with the nhs app.

I’m in a lot of meds (physically disabled) and the app doesn’t let me order all if them at once and in fact if I relied on the app I’d run out.

i hand in paper repeat requests now. I have found it’s the most effective way.

I did do phone calls but the error rate was very high.

GasperyJacquesRoberts · 27/02/2026 20:22

That's not how it works for me. When I'm down to a week or two of pills left I use the NHS app to order the refill. My GP approves them in a couple of days (weekends excepted) and I just keep an eye on the app to see when they've been approved. Once that's done my local pharmacy prefers to have a day or two to get it ready before I pop in to collect it but they can do it asap if it's urgent.

That being said the medication I'm on has been the same for a while now so it's rare that it needs to be checked. Other medications might need more careful monitoring by the GP.

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 27/02/2026 20:09

The app should tell you what date you can order new meds,does it not ?

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