Reducing medicine waste

Did you know it is estimated that an incredible £300 million is lost across the National Health Service (NHS) through medicines waste alone? 

It is essential that we get the very best value from the money we are allocated to spend on healthcare for the local population. The cost of unused, over-ordered medicines could be used to fund services for people in our community who really need them.

Find out more about the campaign to reduce medicine waste at http://www.medicinewaste.com.

Ways we can help

Only order the medicines that you need:

  • Please let your GP or Pharmacist know if you’ve stopped taking any of your medicines
  • Check what medicines you still have at home before re-ordering
  • Discuss your medication with your GP or Pharmacist on a regular basis
  • Think carefully before ticking all the boxes on your repeat prescription forms and only tick those you really need
  • If you don’t need the medicine please don’t order it! If you need the medicine in the future you can still request it
  • If you need to go into hospital, please remember to take all your medicines with you in a clearly marked bag
  • Please also remember that your medicines are prescribed only for you; it’s not safe to share them with anyone else

Remember that unused medicines cannot be recycled:

  • Even if you never open them, once medicines have left the Pharmacy, they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else
  • Please bring your unused medicines to the Pharmacy for safe disposal
  • NEVER dispose of your unused or unwanted medicines down the toilet

Unused medicines are a safety risk:

  • Return out of date medicines to your pharmacy or dispensary for safe disposal
  • If your medicines change – return your old medicines to the pharmacy for safe disposal to avoid mixing them up with your new medicines
  • Don’t stockpile medication – it is a safety risk for children and others who might take them
  • Store medicines in an appropriate place out of reach of children

Please take a moment to watch the video(s) below to find out how you can help

waitwellstaywell website

North East London Primary care have developed a website to help people to manage their own health and wellbeing by providing useful information and links to local and national resources.  It is aimed at people waiting for hospital treatment to support them while they are waiting, help them to manage their condition and stay healthy whilst they wait. 

Please click on the following link to access this site: waitwellstaywell.northeastlondon.icb.nhs.uk 

Your online GP health record

The practice will be giving you access to your online GP health records if you are 16 years and over as of the 4th October 2023. However, exclusions may apply to certain patient groups. In the meantime, please click on the following video which gives you information on this service.

What to do if your child is unwell including Scarlet Fever (Strep A). Dear Parent/Guardian the following service is for any child that has symptoms of StrepA/Scartlet Fever or signs of any chest infection. Only children aged between 0-16 years will be seen. This service runs from Vicarage Lane Health Centre at 10 Vicarage Lane, Stratford E15 4ES between 11.30am-9.30pm seven days a week. Please call them directly to book an appointment on 0203 839 7513.

A guide for parents is also available, by clicking on the link below.

Please click on the following link for advise: https://www.gpwebsolutions-host.co.uk/4872/files/2022/12/What-to-do-if-your-child-is-unwell_A4_Leaflet.pdf