Contacting the Dispensary

You can contact the dispensary by telephone on 01480 860770, press option 2. The dispensary is open from 8:00am until 12:30 and 2pm until 6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Dispensers need at least two working days to process repeat prescriptions, to order stock and check medication has been safely and correctly dispensed.

Repeat prescriptions can be ordered in the following ways:

• Send your repeat slip (issued with medication) by post / putting repeat prescription slips into reception box / through the letterbox at the front of the building /
• Email greatstaughton@nhs.net  
• Online via the link at the top of this page (by registering for online EMIS access; information available at reception).

If for any reason you do not have the printed slip but you know the name of the medicines you require, send a note of these along with your name, address and date of birth, and we can accept this instead.

We do not take repeat medication requests over the telephone for safety and patient confidentiality reasons.

In rural areas, ‘dispensing doctors’ such as Great Staughton Surgery can dispense to patients who live more than 1 mile from the nearest chemist. Other patients can either collect a prescription and take it to a chemist of their choice, or nominate a chemist, such as Boots, St Neots or Lt Paxton Pharmacy, where they scripts will be sent electronically.

The surgery can advise on a medication delivery service in some villages, to help housebound and elderly patients. Ask at the dispensary for information. If you run out of medication, our dispensers can help, however we are unable to stock all medication. If we cannot supply you ourselves, the dispensers can ask doctors to sign a prescription to take to a chemist.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year for a review, a notification should appear on your repeat slip. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

Unused Medicines

Unused medicines cost the NHS £300 million each year which could be used for front line services. Only order medicines you need!

• Check your medication before leaving the Surgery;
• Let us know if you stop taking any medicines;
• Check what medicines you have before re-ordering;
• Don't tick all the boxes for repeat slips;
• If you go to hospital, take any medicines with you;
• Don't share your medicines with others.

Dispensary Services

Dispensary hours and contact information

Telephone: 01480 862892  

Email: greatstaughton@nhs.net

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 – 12:30 and 14:00 – 18:00

Collection Times

 Dispensing and Non-Dispensing Patients

If you are a "Dispensing patient" this means that you live more than 1 mile / 1.6 km (in a straight line) from your nearest chemist and can collect your medicines from the surgery. "Non-dispensing" patients are those who live within 1 mile of their nearest chemist as the crow flies and we are unable to dispense medication except in an emergency - this means that we will issue a paper prescription for you to collect medication from a chemist or pharmacy of your choice.

Patients who find it difficult to use a pharmacy due to distance or communication problems may apply to remain on their doctor’s dispensing list. There are strict conditions therefore, if you believe the serious difficulty rule might apply to you please discuss your situation with a local pharmacy as they may be able to help by: collecting prescriptions on your behalf; and delivering the dispensed medicines to your home.

If you are a non-dispensing patient:

• You can collect your paper prescription direct from our dispensary.
• You can send us a stamped addressed envelope and we can post your prescription.
• You can nominate the pharmacy you use each time to collect your medication and we will send prescriptions to them electronically using the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). Pharmacies who have this service include Boots St. Neots, Lt Paxton Pharmacy, Tesco St. Neots, Lloyds Chemist, Eaton Socon and the Old Swan Pharmacy in Kimbolton.
• We have a courtesy service with the Old Swan Pharmacy in Kimbolton - we send prescriptions so you can have medication dispensed there if you wish. If you would like to use this service, please mark your prescription each time you submit a repeat request.

Important Notes

Please state clearly where you would like your prescription sent each time you forward your repeat request.

If you are returning a used sharps box, please ensure that you firmly lock the lid before returning this to the dispensers.

Stocking up your medicine cabinet

It's always good to give your medicine cabinet a review. Below is a good basic first aid kit that all homes should have, it means you have the right things for basic first aid, and it’ll also save you a trip to the pharmacy if you’re not feeling well. Your first aid kit could include:

• plasters
• small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings and sticky tape
• at least two sterile eye dressings
• triangular bandages
• disposable sterile gloves
• tweezers, scissors and safety pins
• alcohol-free cleansing wipes
• thermometer (preferably digital)
• skin rash cream, such as hydrocortisone or calendula
• antiseptic cream
• painkillers such as paracetamol , aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen
• cough medicine
• antihistamine tablets
• eye wash and eye bath

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.  Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.