Prescriptions

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can sometimes involve ongoing prescription costs. To help manage these expenses, patients may be eligible to apply for an HRT Pre-Payment Certificate (PPC).

What is an HRT Pre-Payment Certificate?
An HRT PPC allows you to pay a fixed amount upfront for your prescriptions over a set period (usually 3 or 12 months), potentially saving you money if you need multiple prescriptions.

How to Apply
You can apply for an HRT PPC online via the NHS Business Services Authority website or by calling their helpline. More information and application details can be found here: NHS Pre-Payment Certificates

Important Notes

• The PPC covers all NHS prescriptions you need during the certificate period, including HRT medications.
• Please speak to your GP or pharmacist if you have any questions about your prescriptions or the PPC.

If you think you may benefit from an HRT PPC and want further advice, please ask at reception or speak with one of our healthcare professionals.

To ensure your medications are working effectively and safely, we offer yearly medication reviews with your GP. During this review, your doctor will:

• Check how your medications are helping with your health conditions
• Discuss any side effects or concerns you may have
• Review any changes needed to your treatment
• Ensure your prescriptions are up to date

It’s important to attend these reviews regularly to maintain the best care for your health. Our team will contact you when it’s time to book your annual medication review.

If you have any questions or notice any issues with your medication before your review, please get in touch with the practice.

If your doctor determines that you require oxygen therapy, they will complete an order form and send it to the supplier. The supplier will then deliver the oxygen directly to your home. Future supplies can be arranged directly with the supplier. Any changes to the original order will require a new form completed by your doctor.

If you are planning a holiday, please contact the practice well in advance so that arrangements for portable oxygen supplies can be made.

Most prescriptions issued by the practice require a charge unless you qualify for an exemption or hold a valid Pre-Payment Certificate (PPC).

Current Prescription Charges:

• Each prescription item costs £9.65.
• If you need multiple prescriptions, a PPC can save you money by allowing you to pay a fixed amount upfront for all your NHS prescriptions over a set period.

What is a PPC?
A Prescription Pre-Payment Certificate (PPC) lets you pay a set fee for unlimited NHS prescriptions within the certificate’s validity period (usually 3 or 12 months). This can be cost-effective if you regularly require medications.

How to Get a PPC:
You can purchase a PPC online through the NHS Business Services Authority website, at some pharmacies, or by phone. More information and application details can be found here: NHS Pre-Payment Certificates.

Exemptions from Prescription Charges:
You may not need to pay for prescriptions if you:

• Are aged 60 or over
• Are under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education
• Are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months (with a valid maternity exemption certificate)
• Have certain medical conditions (with a valid medical exemption certificate)
• Receive certain benefits

For more information about prescription costs, exemptions, or PPCs, please visit the NHS website or ask a member of our team.

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 are various types of medications and ways to manage your prescriptions, depending on your health needs:

• Acute Medications:
  Prescribed for short-term conditions or illnesses, such as infections or injuries. These are usually one-off prescriptions.
• Repeat Medications:
  For ongoing or long-term conditions like diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure. You can request repeat prescriptions without seeing your doctor each time, following regular medication reviews.
• Repeat Dispensing:
  This service allows your GP to issue multiple prescriptions at once, usually covering several months. Your pharmacy can then dispense your medication at regular intervals without needing to contact the surgery for each prescription.
• Electronic Repeat Dispensing (ERD):
  ERD is a digital version of repeat dispensing, where your GP sends several prescriptions electronically to your pharmacy. This helps you get your repeat medications more conveniently, reducing trips to the surgery.
• Controlled Medications:
  These are drugs that require careful regulation due to potential for misuse, such as certain painkillers or sedatives. They have stricter prescribing rules and often require you to collect them directly from the pharmacy.

This service is available at most pharmacies and allows you to avoid visiting the surgery to order and collect your prescriptions. You will need to arrange this directly with your chosen pharmacy.

Occasionally, your medication may be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy, but they might be unable to supply it due to stock shortages or manufacturing issues. If this happens, we ask patients to try sourcing the medication from an alternative pharmacy that may have it in stock.

In some cases, supply issues can affect the entire country, and the pharmacy will then inform you about an alternative medication, which your clinician can prescribe.

Patients using this service can order their prescriptions either through the practice or directly with the supplier. The supplier will then deliver the medication straight to the patient’s home.

When a patient is discharged from hospital, they will receive a 14-day supply of medication and should contact their GP promptly. The discharge paperwork must be brought to the practice, and any further prescriptions should be requested in the usual way, allowing at least 48 hours’ notice.