Introduction
From April 2026, repeat prescriptions at Eve Hill Medical Practice will move to a Patient Led Prescription Ordering system. This change takes place across many NHS GP surgeries. The aim is to make prescription ordering safer, clearer and easier for patients.
Instead of pharmacies ordering medicines on your behalf, patients will request their own repeat prescriptions directly from the practice. We know changes like this raise questions. This guide explains what the change means and how you can order your medication.
What Patient Led Prescription Ordering means
Patient Led Prescription Ordering means patients request their own repeat prescriptions when they need them.
You choose when to order and what medicines you need. The practice checks the request and sends the prescription to your nominated pharmacy as usual.
This helps make sure prescriptions stay accurate and up to date.
Ordering yourself helps prevent:
• Medicines being ordered too early
• Medicines being requested that you no longer take
• Stock building up at home
• Waste of NHS medicines
You stay in control of your prescriptions.
Why the NHS is introducing this change
Across the NHS, a large number of repeat prescriptions are ordered automatically by pharmacies without the patient always knowing.
This can lead to:
• Medicines being dispensed when they are not needed
• Changes to medication not being updated quickly
• Large amounts of medicine waste
Medicine waste costs the NHS hundreds of millions of pounds every year.
Patient Led Prescription Ordering helps reduce this waste. It also improves safety because patients check what they need before ordering.
Many GP surgeries across the UK already use this system successfully.
How to order your repeat prescription from April 2026
From April 2026, patients should order repeat prescriptions directly from The Uplands Medical Practice.
You can order in several simple ways.
Use the NHS App
The NHS App is one of the quickest ways to request repeat prescriptions. You can:
• Order repeat medicines
• Choose or change your pharmacy
• Track your request
If you have not used the NHS App before, our reception team can help you get started.
Order online through the practice website
You can request repeat prescriptions through the online services on our website.
Submit a request to the surgery
You can also request your repeat medication directly from the practice by contacting the surgery or submitting a written request.
Whichever method you choose, please allow enough time for your prescription to be processed.
What will no longer happen
From April 2026, pharmacies will no longer routinely order repeat prescriptions on behalf of patients.
Patients will need to request their own medication directly from the practice.
Your pharmacy will still dispense your medication once the prescription is issued. The change only affects who places the order.
In some cases, special arrangements may remain in place for patients who cannot manage their own ordering. These situations are assessed individually.
Support for patients who need extra help
We understand that some patients may feel unsure about this change, especially if they have always relied on their pharmacy to order medication.
Our team is here to help.
If you:
• Are not confident using technology
• Need help setting up the NHS App
• Are unsure how to request medication
• Care for someone who needs support
Please contact the practice. Our reception team will guide you through the options and help you find the best way to order your prescriptions.