Prescriptions
Ordering repeat prescriptions
Please request your medications 7 days before you need to collect them
To order your medication:
- Via the NHS app: there is more information on how to do this here. You can request your medications even when the surgery is closed, but please request your medications 7 days before you need to collect them.
- By Phone: call the prescriptions line on 0191 295 8514 (open weekdays between 0900 and 1600 hours, outside these times there is an answerphone service). It is important to only say the names of the medication you need and not just ask for a repeat of all your prescriptions. Please request your medications 7 days before you need to collect them
Queries about your medication
The Village Green Surgery has a Pharmacy Team who run clinics at the surgery. The pharmacist can offer help with your medications, and we can offer advice on the Pharmacy First system, which means patients can use their local pharmacy as the first point of call for minor ailments.
Please call reception on 0191 295 8500 to book an appointment
Pharmacy services
Some chemists/pharmacists provide a collection and delivery service for people who cannot get out of their house. Speak to your local pharmacist for more details.
Sedation Prescribing Policy
We understand that many patients may feel anxious about medical or dental procedures, scans, or flying. However, our GPs are unable to prescribe sedative medications such as Diazepam for these situations. This is a practice policy based on current national clinical guidance, which is followed by all prescribers in the practice.
Why we do not prescribe sedation:
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Safety and training: GPs are not regularly involved, trained, or appraised in sedation skills. This means they cannot provide the correct level of sedation required for procedures or scans. Too little sedation may not help, while too much can cause harmful drowsiness, which may even be fatal, or result in procedures being cancelled.
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Monitoring requirements: Sedation requires close monitoring before, during, and after a procedure. The responsibility for this lies with the clinician prescribing and giving the sedation, who must be present throughout.
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Timing of procedures: Hospital procedures and scans are often delayed. Sedation must therefore be given by the team performing the procedure at the right time to ensure safety and effectiveness.
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Consultant and dentist responsibility: Hospital consultants and dentists have the same prescribing abilities as GPs and are responsible for providing any sedation required for their procedures.
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Guidelines: The Royal College of Radiologists states that sedation should only be prescribed and administered by experienced, appropriately trained staff in controlled environments with monitoring and emergency facilities available.
Sedation for flights:
We are also unable to prescribe sedatives for use during flights. These medications can cause drowsiness, confusion, and slower breathing, which may be dangerous at altitude. They can also increase the risk of blood clots (DVT) due to prolonged immobility. For this reason, airlines and international guidelines advise against their use for air travel.
What you can do instead:
If you are anxious about a hospital or dental procedure, please speak directly to the treating team, radiology department, or dentist about your options. They may advise you to speak to your GP but please note we are unable to prescribe sedation, and if they feel you need sedation this must be prescribed by the person advising it, not by your GP. If you are worried about flying, please contact your airline to discuss the support they may offer.
Thank you for your understanding and for helping us keep your care safe.
