Your hospital appointment and prescriptions

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Why have I not been given a prescription?

Reasons you may not have received a prescription include:

• No new medicines are required.
• You need a new medicine or an adjustment to your current medicine but don’t need to start it immediately.

When will I be given a prescription for the new medication?

If you need a new medicine or an adjusted dose to your current medicine, but don’t need it right away, your GP will receive a letter from the hospital to let them know. It will take at least 14 days to process this letter. Please wait 2 to 3 weeks before contacting your GP about it. Your GP will not prescribe this medication until they receive the letter.

Rest assured, any changes to your treatment plan will only be delayed if your clinician believes it will not affect your health. They are acting in accordance with University Hospitals Sussex guidelines to make the best use of our resources and are working to protect the longevity of our National Health Service. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

Why have I been given an additional cover letter?

If you don’t need to start the medication immediately, as well as contacting the GP surgery on your behalf, we will give you a cover letter which you can take to your GP surgery if there are unexpected delays beyond the 2 to 3 week estimate.

What should I do if I have been given a prescription by the hospital clinic?

White prescription forms can only be processed by the hospital pharmacy.

Green prescription forms cannot be processed by hospital pharmacy, however it can be done by your preferred local community pharmacy.

Hospital pharmacies:

• The Royal Sussex County Hospital pharmacies: please note that there are two pharmacies on the Royal Sussex County Hospital site. You should go to “Pharm@Sea”, situated across the road from the main hospital entrance, next to the Outpatients building.
• The Princess Royal Hospital: from the main reception, take the first set of stairs/lifts to the first floor, then take a left at the chapel and the pharmacy is in the corner.
• Worthing General Hospital: the pharmacy is located on the ground floor of the East Wing, next to the Seafront Courtyard.
• St Richards Hospital: pharmacy is located on the ground floor, next to the Outpatient Department entrance.