Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

You can order your prescription online – by using on-line access (log in here) or by  registering on the NHS App and completing a prescription request.

Any medication queries can be made via the PATCHS Administration option.

We suggest you order your medication seven days before it runs out. Please only order those medications you require.

It is important to nominate a pharmacy for your prescription to be sent electronically.

We will send the prescription to your nominated pharmacist. You can collect your medication from them three working days later.

Please note, we can NOT take any prescription requests over the telephone.

If you do not have access to the internet you can order your prescription by written request and placing in prescription box outside the practice entrance.

To download our Prescription Request form, click Repeat Prescription request.

ADHD Medication prescribing

6^tH November 2023

ADHD Medication Prescribing

As a practice we have recently reviewed our ADHD prescribing policy to ensure that it allows us to maintain our high standards of patient care and safety.

It is important that when taking this medication, patients receive a 6 monthly review.  This includes a physical check-up.  Unfortunately, this is not a service that we as a practice are funded or have the capacity to deliver.

If you are prescribed ADHD medication, we therefore would like to stress how important it is that you attend your Specialist ADHD clinic appointments.

If you are struggling to obtain a specialist appointment, please contact the Specialist clinic directly.

Community paediatrics 0151 514 2526

For adults, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation (CWP)  0300 303 3157

Please note that we are no longer able to prescribe medications for patients under the age of 18 that attend private ADHD clinics.  This again is because patient safety is our priority.  We are currently writing to those providers and ask that you contact the specialist as soon as possible so that your child’s prescription is not disrupted. We are writing to the parents of those children affected in order to allow them ample time to make alternative arrangements.

For parents of children seeking new ADHD assessments please speak directly to your child’s school.

Prescribing of Benzodiazepine and related medications for flying/procedures

Heswall & Pensby Surgery has taken the decision not to prescribe Benzodiazepine and related medications such as diazepam in cases where the there is a fear of flying. We also do not prescribe for dental procedures, scans or hospital procedures. There are a number of reasons for this that are set out below.

1. Diazepam is a sedative, which means it makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there is an emergency during the flight it may impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions and react to the situation. This could have serious safety consequences for you and those around you.
2. Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however when you do sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means you won’t move around as much as during natural sleep. This can cause you to be at increased risk of developing a blood clot (DVT) in the leg or even the lung. Blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk is even greater if your flight is greater than 4 hours.
3. Whilst most people find benzodiazepines like diazepam sedating, a small number of people experience the opposite effect and may become aggressive. Benzodiazepines can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally. This could impact on your safety as well as that of other passengers and could also get you into trouble with the law.
4. According to the national prescribing guidelines that doctors follow (the British National Formulary, or BNF) benzodiazepines are not allowed to be prescribed in cases of phobia. Thus your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing diazepam for fear of flying as it is going against these guidelines. Benzodiazepines are only licensed short term for a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the case, you should be getting proper care and support for your mental health and not going on a flight.
5. Diazepam and similar drugs are illegal in a number of countries. They may be confiscated or you may find yourself in trouble with the police.
6. Diazepam stays in your system for quite a while. If your job requires you to submit to random drug testing you may fail this having taken diazepam.

If for a dental procedure, scan or hospital procedure, we recommend you contact your dentist or consultant to discuss this further. We are unable to prescribe.

We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. A much better approach is to tackle this properly with a Fear of Flying course run by the airlines. We have listed a number of these below.

Easy Jet

• www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com
• Tel—0203 8131644

British Airways

• www.flyingwithconfidence.com/venues/manchester
• Tel—01252 793250

Virgin

• https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/wellbeing-and-health/flying-without-fear.html
• Tel—01423 714900/1252250