FOR some patients in Bromsgrove the irksome task of getting a repeat prescription from their GP may soon be a thing of the past.

Patients will simply call into their local pharmacy to pick up their medicines when needed.

The new scheme will be available to people who are already on regular medication, which is unlikely to change, and whose doctor is happy not to see them for a few months.

If the patients wish to take part in the scheme, they go to a pharmacy of their choice to collect their repeat prescription.

The GP issues the repeat prescriptions in batches of three, six, nine or 12 months' supply.

The prescriptions will be held by the pharmacist and dispensed at dates agreed with the patient.

The pharmacist checks the medicines with the patient when they are dispensed and will inquire about any problems or side effects the patient may have. The pharmacist will report any problems to the GP.

Eight GP practices, four in Bromsgrove and four in Redditch which have the computer systems to enable the scheme to operate, will be trained this month - with the scheme being rolled out in April. Then the names of the practices will be released.

Dr Bill Borastero, chairman of Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust's professional executive committee, said: "This is an excellent scheme which will cut the unnecessary time patients have to spend in the GP's surgery. Pharmacists are well placed to monitor these patients and they will also be able to help reduce drug waste and hoarding of medicines.

"I am looking forward to the pilot and seeing whether, in time, we will be able to offer this service to everyone in Redditch and Bromsgrove."

The Department of Health has given the trust £7,000 to train GPs, practice staff and pharmacists in the administration of the scheme.