Prescriptions

Please submit repeat prescription requests to us with at least 5 working days notice to avoid running out of medication.

** Unfortunately, we cannot accept prescription requests over the phone or via email **

We have made important changes to how repeat prescriptions can be ordered. This decision has been made to ensure we are eliminating any potential errors and removing any unnecessary administrative tasks, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.

Therefore, we will no longer accept medication requests via email.

You can request your medication using the following options below.

• Via the NHS App – Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is the most simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. The NHS App is available now on iOS and Android.
• NHS Online Login – You can view your current repeat medication and order the items you require. This is for patients who have an NHS login.
• Online System – Visit reception with some photo ID for this to be set up on SystmOnline
• By repeat slip or on paper – You can put your request in on paper by dropping it through the letterbox.

The team in reception will be available to help any patients that need support to gain access to the above services – please come and see us.

Please note

Allow enough time: Please remember to allow 5 working days for processing and allow an additional 2-3 working days for your prescription to be dispensed by your pharmacy.

Order in advance: You can request prescriptions up to 10 working days in advance.

When will your prescription be ready?

We aim to have your prescription ready for you within five working days (excludes weekends/holidays). Alterations to items on your prescription or new items added by the hospital may take slightly longer to prepare. Please note that medication requiring regular monitoring via blood tests, blood pressure readings etc will go through an additional review stage before being issued. Failure to maintain your medication monitoring needs could result in delays with issuing your medication.

Medications – Can you buy some of your medications over the counter?

Here is the ICB policy on when we would hope you will buy medication over the counter, rather than requesting it from your GP.  Please click here to access this document

Please click here for the self care factsheet for over the counter medication

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs). Please click the link for further information: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/help-with-health-costs.aspx

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines.

Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication. 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.

For information on the current prescription charges and Prescription Payment Certificates please see http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Prescriptioncosts.aspx

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

Antibiotic Resistance

Video – use of antibiotics & resistance

Policy on Prescriptions from Private Doctors

We are aware that given current NHS wait times, some of our patients opt to see a private doctor. This statement clarifies our position on prescriptions.

If you are seen privately by a doctor for a single episode of care any short-term medication required should be paid for by the patient as part of that package of care, e.g. if a patient has a private hip replacement- painkillers, blood thinners and antibiotics required as a result of the operation should be prescribed by the private provider.

A private consultation may identify a long-term condition which needs medication. If you ask us to take over prescribing of a medication recommended by a private doctor, we will need to be satisfied that prescribing is appropriate, responsible and what we would prescribe for other NHS patients with the same diagnosis. Whenever we prescribe medicine for you we are taking full responsibility for your care, even if the medicine is recommended for you by another doctor.

Therefore we will not prescribe medication if:

• We have not received adequate communication from the private doctor to explain the reasons you need the medicine and that they have discussed the safety of the medication
• The medication is not prescribed on the NHS
• The medication is only suitable for specialist-only prescribing and we do not have the specialist expertise to safely monitor the medication
• The use of the medication is not compatible with national or local prescribing guidelines
• The medication is not licenced in the UK or is being used for a purpose not included in its UK licence and the prescriber is not competent to prescribe outside of this licence
• We do not believe the medication is appropriate or necessary for you

At Cherry Hinton & Brookfields Medical Centre we prescribe in line with the local formulary, which can be found here:

https://www.cpics.org.uk/cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-formulary

Please note that the above points apply for other NHS doctors (e.g hospital specialists) asking GPs to take over prescribing of a medication.

Shared care arrangements are where the prescribing of specialist medication is taken on by GPs for the convenience of patients. These arrangements are often used for complex medications which require regular monitoring and specialist expertise. We are not able to accept shared care arrangements with private providers.

The above ensures patient safety when prescribing and are essential safeguards for us as doctors and prescribers. The General Medical Council advises us in “Duties of a Doctor” to prescribe in the best interest of the patient and only within our level of competence.

It is important to consider all potential costs when accessing a private consultant and this includes medication costs. If the medication applies to one of the above categories, you should speak to your private doctor to decide what to do next. You retain the option of a private prescription through your private doctor. Or, we would be happy to facilitate a referral to an NHS specialist if your medication is specialist-only.

Further information is available from:

British Medical Association Ethics Committee May 2009: The interface between NHS and private treatment: a practical guide for doctors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland http://bma.org.uk/practical-support-at-work

Department of Health March 2009: Guidance on NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/404423/patients-add-priv-care.pdf

General Medical Council April 2021: Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices

https://www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/good-practice-in-prescribing-and-managing-medicines-and-devices

Cherry Hinton & Brookfields Medical Centre’s Policy on Prescriptions from Private Doctors July 2023