PRESCRIPTIONS ADVICE
Repeat prescriptions
In the interest of safety and accuracy, prescription requests are not taken over the telephone.
If you are able to, please use the NHS App to manage your repeat prescriptions.
If you cannot order your repeat prescription any other way, then you may drop off your request using the outer letterbox at the St Francis or Park surgery buildings. Please do not try to enter the building when dropping off repeat prescription requests.
Please ensure you have nominated a local pharmacy for us to send the prescriptions to electronically - you can do this using the NHS app or by speaking to your pharmacist or GP surgery directly.
Please do not order medication earlier than you need, there is no current shortage but stockpiling of medication may lead to supply issues and potential waste.
For the moment you can still e-mail the practice to request repeat prescriptions at
hiowicb-hsi.stfrancis.prescriptions@nhs.net but we would ask only use this if you are unable to use the other electronic means.
At present we need seven working days’ notice for the production of a repeat prescription.
Diazepam and Flying
At Park & St Francis Surgery, we will not prescribe Diazepam for patients who wish to use this for a fear of flying. We have made this decision due to the following reasons:
1. Diazepam is a sedative. This means, the medication makes you sleepy and more relaxed. If there were to be an emergency during the flight, this could impair your ability to concentrate, follow instructions or react to the situation. This could seriously affect the safety of you and the people around you.
2. Sedative drugs can make you fall asleep, however, when you sleep it is an unnatural non-REM sleep. This means, your movements during sleep are reduced and this can place you at an increased risk of developing blood clots (DVT). These blood clots are very dangerous and can even prove fatal. This risk further increases if your flight is over 4 hours long.
3. Although most people respond to benzodiazepines like Diazepam with sedation, a small proportion experience the opposite effect and can become aggressive. They can also lead to disinhibition and make you behave in ways you normally wouldn’t. This could also impact on your safety and the safety of your fellow passengers or could lead you to get in trouble with the law.
4. National prescribing guidelines followed by doctors also don’t allow the use of benzodiazepines in cases or phobia. Any doctor prescribing diazepam for a fear of flying would be taking a significant legal risk as this goes against these guidelines. Benzodiazepines are only licensed for short-term use in a crisis in generalised anxiety. If this is the problem you suffer with, you should seek proper care and support for your mental health, and it would not be advisable to go on a flight.
5. In several countries, diazepam and similar drugs are illegal. They would be confiscated, and you might find yourself in trouble with the police for being in control of an illegal substance.
6. Diazepam has a long half-life. This means it stays in your system for a significant time and you may fail random drug testing if you are subjected to such testing as is required in some jobs.
We appreciate a fear of flying is very real and very frightening and can be debilitating. However, there are much better and effective ways of tackling the problem. We recommend you tackle your problem with a Fear of Flying Course, which is run by several airlines. These courses are far more effective than diazepam, they have none of the undesirable effects and the positive effects of the courses continue after the courses have been completed.
Fear of Flying Courses
Easy Jet
www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com A free downloadable e-book is available or on line courses from £89
Tel: 0203 8131644
British Airways
http://flyingwithconfidence.com/courses/venues On line courses are available from £79.99
Tel: 01252 793 250 Virgin Atlantic
https://flyingwithoutfear.co.uk/collections Face to face courses are available at various airports with prices from £267
Tel: 01423 714900 1252250
Pharmacy Delivery Services
You may like to take advantage of the collection and delivery services provided by the pharmacy of your choice. Please contact your pharmacy to discuss the details of this service.
Medication Reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to discuss and review their medications with their GP or practice nurse on an annual basis, a notification will appear on your repeat slip to alert you when this is due. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment (telephone or face to face) to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.
Accessing a prescription when the surgery is closed
If you run out of your medicines (excluding controlled medications e.g. diazepam) outside of normal opening hours, and urgently need a refill, there are a few ways to get an emergency supply quickly, even if you're away from home.
Whether you have a prescription to hand or not, visit the NHS website for further information on access to medication outside of normal working hours.
