Following an outpatient clinic appointment a recommendation may be made by the hospital doctor for a new medication to be started or for an existing medication to be changed.

This will be communicated to your GP via letter that will take at least 7 days to reach the GP and in some cases 14 days. You will be informed by the hospital doctor how long you must wait before contacting your GP for this medication, as this will vary, but in all cases, this will not be less than 7 days.

There is no need to make an appointment to see your GP for this.

If the hospital doctor feels that you require the medication sooner than this, they will issue you with a hospital prescription that will be only available from the hospital pharmacy. It cannot be redeemed at a community pharmacy nor from your GP.  

 In some cases the GP may need to discuss a recommendation before they prescribe.In these cases you will be informed by the GP practice as they may be some delay in the prescription being available within the time frame specified.