Prescriptions

All requests must be made:

•  via the NHS APP (please download from the app store available for IOS and Android)
•  on-line (you need online access, please post a request for online access though our letter box if you do not already have this)
•  paper requests posted through the letterbox
•  requests can also be made via email:    

sxicb-wsx.strand-prescriptions@nhs.net

PLEASE NOTE: All prescriptions will be sent to a pharmacy for collection and we will not accept requests to stock pile medication

Please ensure you write your chosen pharmacy on the hand written or emailed prescription request. IF YOU DO NOT they will be sent to Lloyds the Strand for collection – to minimise foot fall. To reduce the risk of infection NO PRESCRIPTIONS will be collected from the surgery.

Prescription Charges:

Details of the current prescription charges may be found at: http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcosts/pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx. If you are on multiple repeat medications, you may find it more cost effective to purchase a pre-payment certificate to reduce your prescription charges. Details of these may be obtained from the Prescriptions Authority at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/healthcosts.

If you are under 18 years of age, unemployed or on invalidity benefit then you will not have to pay for your prescription. Ensure that you fill out the reverse of the prescription form correctly, sign it and have some proof that you are exempt from prescription charges with you when you collect your medication from the pharmacy.

Fear of Flying:

If you have a fear of flying and are considering to take medication to help you stay calm, please consider the information below:

Patients come to us, asking us to prescribe diazepam for fear of flying. There are a number of very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended.

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 have paradoxical agitation and increased aggression. They 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 prescribing guidelines, doctors follow (BNF) Benzodiazepines are contraindicated (not allowed) in treating the phobia. Your doctor would be taking a significant legal risk by prescribing against these guidelines. They 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.