1. What do I need to do now?

You will need to choose a community pharmacy (or a distance‑selling pharmacy, if preferred) to dispense your medicines. Once you have chosen, you should:

1. Ask your GP practice to document your chosen pharmacy in your patient record, alternatively the pharmacy can do this for you.
2. Speak to your preferred pharmacy if you have additional needs to help you manage your medicines or if you would like to use delivery services.
3. Allow a short transition period while your chosen nomination is processed.
4. Order your medication as usual from the GP practice, allowing sufficient time for the practice to review your request and for the pharmacy to receive the request and dispense the medication (usually 5-7 working days)

2. What happens if I don’t choose a pharmacy?

Your prescriptions will still be issued, but:

• You will need to collect a paper prescription from your GP practice and take it to a pharmacy yourself, or
• An electronic prescription may be created, but it will default to “no nomination,” which means you will need to contact / visit a pharmacy and ask them to fulfil your medication, which will result in delays

Choosing a pharmacy is the easiest option.

3. What is a ‘nominated pharmacy’?

A nominated pharmacy is the one that will automatically receive your Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) prescriptions and will dispense your medicines. This avoids you needing to collect paper prescriptions from your practice.

4. How do I choose a pharmacy? Find a pharmacy - NHS

You can choose any community pharmacy or one of the national distance‑selling pharmacies. You may want to consider:

• Location and opening hours
• Whether they offer home delivery
• Availability of services such as medication reviews or monitored dosage systems (commonly known as Dossett boxes)
• Whether you already use them for other family members

5. What is a distance selling pharmacy?

A distance‑selling pharmacy (sometimes called an online pharmacy) provides their service remotely. This means:

• You cannot visit them in person
• They will arrange delivery of your medicines to your home
• Ordering is usually done by app, website, or phone

This may suit patients who prefer home delivery or have difficulty travelling.

6. Do I need to tell the GP practice which pharmacy I’ve chosen?

In most cases, the pharmacy can set the nomination for you, but you can also tell the practice directly if you prefer.

7. Can I change my nominated pharmacy later?

Yes. You can change your nomination at any time by telling:

• Any community pharmacy, or
• Your GP practice

The change is usually instant.

8. When does this change take effect?

This change will be from 6pm on the 10^th April 2026.
Please ensure you have chosen a pharmacy before that date to avoid any interruption to your medicines.

9. Will my GP stop prescribing my medication?

No. Your GP will continue to provide prescriptions in the same way as before.  The only change is where you collect your medicines as long as you have nominated a pharmacy. 

10. Will I still get my medication on time?

Yes. Once your nominated pharmacy is set up, when you request your medication, your prescriptions will be sent electronically and processed by the pharmacy.
To avoid delays during the transition, please order your medication a little earlier than usual.

11. Will this affect my repeat dispensing / prescriptions (eRD)?

No - repeat dispensing will continue.
Your new pharmacy will manage your repeat prescriptions through EPS.

12. Will this change affect the cost of my medication?

No. Prescription charges (if applicable) remain the same across all pharmacies.
If you receive free prescriptions now, this will not change.

13. Will the practice still help if there is a problem with my medication?

Yes. Your GP practice still oversees your clinical care, but pharmacies manage dispensing.
If your query is about supply, contact your pharmacy first.
If it is about your health or medication review, contact the GP practice.

14. I currently receive home delivery from the practice. Can I still get deliveries?

Many community and distance‑selling pharmacies offer home delivery.  Check with the pharmacy you select to ensure they can provide this service and notify them if you require it.

15. I receive my medication in a monitored dosage system (commonly known as Dossett boxes) - will I still get these?

Some community pharmacies and distance‑selling pharmacies may be able to provide monitored dosage systems (commonly known as Dossett boxes). However, this is not an NHS service, so the pharmacy may wish to do an assessment to ensure that any additional needs to support your medication use are met in the safest and most effective way, this might include things such as reminder charts.

Speak to the pharmacy when choosing to ensure they can meet your requests.

16. What if I need help choosing or understanding my options?

You can contact:

• Your GP practice reception team
• NHS 111 (non-urgent medical advice)
• The NHS website “Find a Pharmacy” service Find a pharmacy - NHS
• Local community pharmacies for advice
• Patient Advice and Liaison Service

17. We know this change may feel unsettling – what support is available?

We understand that this change may feel difficult, particularly for patients who have used the dispensary for many years.

We want to reassure patients that:

• Clear information will be provided about what to do next
• Practical help will be offered to:
• choose a pharmacy
• set up prescriptions
• arrange delivery if needed

Our aim is to make this transition as smooth and straightforward as possible for everyone.

18. Will there be enough capacity at pharmacies?

Local community pharmacies have confirmed they are able to accommodate the increased demand, and we are working closely with them.

This includes:

• Ongoing capacity planning and monitoring
• Coordination between the ICB, practices and pharmacies
• Support to ensure safe and timely access to medicines

19. What is being done to improve access at local pharmacies?

We are working closely with local community pharmacies to support increased demand and improve access.

This includes:

• Additional capacity planning with pharmacies
• Reviewing workflow and staffing arrangements

In addition:

• Navenby Pharmacy is installing a ramp to improve access for patients with mobility needs

We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure pharmacies can meet patient needs.

20. What are the opening times for local community pharmacies?

Local community pharmacies offer a range of opening times, including weekday and Saturday opening.  The 2 closest to the existing practice sites are:

• Navenby Pharmacy: Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM–5:30 PM; Saturday–Sunday: Closed
• Waddington Pharmacy: Monday–Friday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM; Saturday; 9:00 AM–12:30 PM; Sunday: Closed

21. Will anyone be left without access to medicines?

No. Ensuring patients continue to have access to medicines is our top priority.

• All patients will be supported to move to a community pharmacy
• Additional help will be provided for vulnerable or high-need patients
• The ICB and practice will work together to ensure no one is left without access

22. Why is my GP practice no longer allowed to dispense my medication?

Your practice’s contract has changed, which means it can no longer provide a dispensing service. This is usually due to NHS regulations that describe which GP practices are permitted to dispense medicines.

The closure date for the dispensing service is: 6pm Friday 10 April 2026

23. Why is the dispensary closing despite some patient and practice staff opposition?

We fully recognise that many patients and the staff value the dispensary and shared their concerns during the engagement process.

However:

• The ICB is legally required to comply with national regulations
• Dispensing arrangements must be reviewed when there is a change in provider/contract
• Decisions must be made based on the regulatory framework, not solely on preference

While patient feedback is extremely important and has shaped our approach to transition and support the service changes, the final decision must be lawful and consistent with the regulations.

24. What did patients tell us during the engagement process?

We heard clearly from patients through listening events and surveys. Key themes included:

• The dispensary provides a personalised and trusted service
• Convenience and accessibility are highly valued
• Concerns about parking and mobility at local pharmacies
• Worries about pharmacy capacity
• Frustration about communication about the changes and uncertainty about the service

We have taken these concerns seriously and are working with partners to address them wherever possible.

25. What is the criteria for being a dispensing patient? Do I retain that if I move to another dispensing practice?

To be a dispensing patient, you usually need to:

• Be registered with a dispensing GP practice
• Live in a controlled (rural) area
• Live more than 1.6km from a pharmacy

If you move to another dispensing practice:

• Your eligibility is reassessed and is not automatically carried over

26. Does this change affect my clinical care or the GP practice’s services?

No. Your GP practice will continue to provide the same medical care, appointments, monitoring, reviews and prescriptions.  Only the dispensing service is changing.

27. What about concerns regarding staff and job losses?

We understand that this is a worrying time for staff as well as patients.

• The practice and partners are working to support any affected staff appropriately
• This includes exploring redeployment opportunities where possible
• We recognise the valuable contribution of dispensary staff and are committed to treating them fairly and with respect

1. Choose a community pharmacy or distance‑selling pharmacy
2. Tell them you want to nominate them for your prescriptions
3. Discuss any special requirements with them
4. Order your next repeat prescription from the practice slightly early during the transition
5. Contact the surgery or pharmacy if you have any issues