Prescriptions

From the 1 April, the Government is launching the HRT Pre-Payment Certificate (PPC) to reduce prescription costs for women receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

The HRT PPC will be available to buy in one single payment online at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc, or in-person at some pharmacies. You can call 0300 330 2089 for help and support.

Before buying an HRT PPC, you should check if:

• you’re eligible for free NHS prescriptions using the eligibility checker: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check
• your medicine is covered by the HRT PPC. For a list of eligible HRT medication, visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc-medicines
• a 3 or 12 month PPC is more suitable. It covers all NHS prescriptions, not just HRT items. Visit: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/ppc

Pharmacists can provide health advice at any time.  They can offer help on everyday illnesses such as coughs and colds and they are able to answer any questions you may have about prescribed medication or medication you buy over the counter.  A pharmacist can also give advice on a range of health topics such as asthma, healthy eating or giving up smoking.

Some pharmacists do have private areas where you can talk in confidence. You can watch this video to find out more about what a pharmacist can offer.

If you are prescribed a medicine to treat a long-term condition for the first time, you may be able to get extra help and advice about your medicine from your local pharmacist through a new free scheme called the New Medicine Service (NMS).  You can click here to watch a video about this service.

• How your pharmacy can help

• NHS Pharmacy First Service (PFS) | NHSBSA

Chemists on Holiday/Weekend rota are published in the local press or on the chemist’s door or window. They can also be found on our practice website. The police can contact chemists in an emergency out of hours to dispense prescriptions marked URGENT by the Doctor.

Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

The review may either be with your doctor, nurse or clinical pharmacist.

If a Doctor decides you need oxygen he/she will complete an order form and fax it to the supplier. Following the order the supplier will deliver directly to your home. Further supplies can then be organised directly with the supplier. Any alterations to the original order will need a Doctor to complete a new form.

Patients who are planning a holiday should contact the practice in good time so arrangements can be made for portable supplies.

These charges apply in England only.   In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• 3-month PPC: £31.25
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• PPC Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public – Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

We now send all prescriptions electronically to your local pharmacy of choice. Please register your preference with the surgery to ensure your prescriptions are sent to the correct pharmacy.

Electronic repeat dispensing (ERD)

eRD allows the prescriber to authorise and issue a batch of repeatable prescriptions for up to 12 months with just one digital signature.

eRD stores all issues of the eRD prescriptions securely on the NHS Spine and automatically downloads them to the patient’s nominated community pharmacy at intervals set by the prescriber. 

Patients are required to give their consent for repeat dispensing. This can be verbal and formal written consent is not required.

This service is provided by most Pharmacy stores and will save you coming to surgery to order and collect your prescription. You will need to make arrangements directly with the Pharmacy of your choice.

Medical Exemption Certificates – Medical exemption certificates | NHSBSA

You may entitled to free nhs prescriptions because of a medical condition or currently pregnant and those who have had a baby in the last 12 months.

Maternity Exemption Certificates – Maternity exemption certificates | NHSBSA

If you think you are eligible for free prescriptions, please attend the practice to complete the appropriate forms, which the doctor will review and sign and the practice team will contact you when they are ready for collection.

There may be occasions where your medication is sent electronically to your chemist but your nominated pharmacy me not be able to get that medication in due to stock or manufacturing issues. If this happens we ask our patients to try and source an alternative pharmacy who may have the item in stock. In some cases supply issues can be a national problem which then means the pharmacy need to inform patients of an alternative medication that the clinician can prescribe.

Patients who need to use this service order their prescription either via the practice or directly with the supplier. The supplier will then deliver direct to the patient’s home.

If a patient is discharged from hospital they will be given 14 days supply of medication and asked to contact their GP.  The discharge form must be brought to the practice and a further prescription ordered in the usual way giving at least 48 hours notice.