We developed the repeat prescription ordering scheme with NHS South Sefton CCG and 19 GP practices in the borough volunteered to pilot it from 1 September 2016 to 28 February 2017.

13 further GP practices then signed up to the scheme on 6 March 2017 after seeing the results and estimated savings for the NHS.

Then from 11 July 2017 the remaining 17 GP practices across Sefton introduced the change in the way their patients order repeat prescriptions.

The scheme greatly improves patient safety and helps to reduce the high cost of unused medications in the borough - estimated to cost the local NHS at least £2 million each year. In the first three months, the pilot in 19 GP practices saw estimated savings of £220,000.

This page explains what the changes mean for patients and provides a link to a survey, so you can tell us about your views and experiences of the changes. You can also read a report setting out the results of an initial review of the repeat prescription ordering pilot.

About the scheme

All patients that were affected by the scheme were written to by their GP practice and the CCGs informing them about the change. Anyone affected by the system for ordering repeat prescriptions were then able to choose to order their repeat prescriptions in a number of different ways - including signing up to their GP practice's secure online system. Special arrangements were made for patients who were not able to order their repeat medications themselves. The following links explain the scheme in more detail. 

• Read a leaflet that gives more information about the pilot, along with contact details for help and advice
• We have also produced some frequently asked questions about the pilot. You can also watch this short video that explains the pilot in more detail
• The leaflet and FAQs have been translated into Polish

The short films below give an overview of how the scheme works.

Participating practices 

Repeat prescription ordering pilot sites from 1 September 2016:

• Chapel Lane Surgery
• The Hollies Surgery
• The Village Surgery
• Freshfield Surgery
• Marshside Surgery
• Corner Surgery
• Ainsdale Village
• Trinity Practice
• Kew Surgery
• The Grange Surgery
• Bootle Village Surgery
• Bridge Road Medical Centre
• High Pastures
• Hightown Village Surgery
• North Park Medical Centre
• Park Street Surgery
• 15 Sefton Road
• The Strand
• Thornton Village Surgery

GP practices who introduced the repeat prescription ordering scheme on 6 March 2017:

• Blundellsands Surgery
• Westway Medical Centre
• Dr Judes Practice Netherton
• Crossways Surgery
• Crosby Village Surgery
• Moore Street Surgery
• Orrell Park Medical Centre
• Rawson Rd Medical Centre
• 42 Kingsway
• Glovers Lane Surgery
• The Family Surgery
• Ainsdale Medical Centre
• Cumberland House Surgery

Additional GP practices who introduced the scheme on 11 July:

•  Christiana Hartley Medical Practice
•  Churchtown Medical Centre
•  Lincoln House
•  Norwood Surgery
•  Roe Lane Surgery
•  St Marks Medical Centre
•  Eastview Surgery
•  Kingsway Surgery
•  Aintree Road Medical Centre
•  Maghull Family Surgery
•  Maghull Health Centre
•  Ford Medical Practice
•  Concept House Surgery
•  Drs Misra, Bird and Kassha Surgery
•  Maghull Practice
•  Litherland Practice
•  Seaforth Village Surgery

How will you know if the scheme works well for patients?

We reviewed the pilot after its first three months of operation and an initial evaluation report highlights some positive results.

We then reviewed the repeat prescription ordering service from September 2016 - October 2017. 

Visit the ‘How we use your views’ section for examples of where your feedback has informed our work, plans and strategies.