Flu jabs 2017

Repeat Prescriptions 

We do not accept telephone requests (to avoid any possible prescribing errors)

PLEASE NOTE : DUE TO SOME AVAILABILITY OF STOCK THERE MAY BE A DELAY TO THE 5 WORKING DAYS PRESCRIPTION TURNAROUND.  DISPENSARY STAFF ARE WORKING HARD TO MINIMIZE DELAYS.  

Repeat prescriptions are authorised by your doctor once your condition has stabilized. You will be issued with a computer printed repeat slip for a defined period of time before your next review.

Only medication listed can be dispensed. If the medication you are requesting is not on your repeat slip, then the dispensers will not be able to issue it until you have been seen or have contacted your doctor.

Normally no medication will be dispensed after the printed review date. Our normal issue is 28 days supply. We cannot accept repeat requests over the telephone, via email or fax: please use patient online access, post or hand in your slip. This avoids mistakes. Please give at least 5 working days’ notice and plan ahead for holidays.

Repeat prescriptions will be available for collection five working days after they are ordered.  When ordering after 6.30pm, before 8am or at weekends or Bank Holidays, the six working days starts the next day the surgery is open. 

Our service is only available to patients who live more than 1 mile from a pharmacy.  

Prescription Queries

These can be taken by phone between 08.30 - 13.00 or email mmg.mendleshamdisp@nhs.net or mmg.bactondisp@nhs.net and remember to say or mark as Urgent as required.

 Only Order What You Need Leaflet

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). 

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.

NHS charges

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

• NHS prescription costs

  • The current prescription charge is £9.65 per item (£16.40 per pair of elastic hosiery).
  • A three monthly PPC is £31.25 and could save you money if you need more than three prescribed items in three months.  
  • A 12-month certificate is £111.60 and could save you money if you need more than 12 prescribed items in a year you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

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

• There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website

Please ensure you bring your prepaid or medical exemption card with you when collecting your medication

Due to the current exceptional circumstances, please allow 5 working days, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, for your request to be processed.

• By hand
• By post
• NHS App
• Patient Access (register in Surgery with photo ID)

Any problems please telephone the surgery.

Prescribing Policy For Patients Travelling Abroad

This policy outlines the procedure for patients travelling abroad for short and long periods of time.

NHS Policy

By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK.  In addition GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.

The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should the find an alternative supply of that medication.

Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months should be removed from the registered patient list.

Mendlesham Medical Group Policy

Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months
For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is safe to do so.  Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns.  One months supply only will be issued for drugs normally available over the counter, such as paracetamol.

Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months
Patients who inform us they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination (up to 3 months supply where safe to do so).

They will also be removed from our patient list. We will be pleased to re-register patients on their return to residence in the UK and can reassure patient that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference on your return.

Patients and relatives should not seek medication for themselves while they are abroad as this constitutes NHS fraud.

Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad.

GP’s will only prescribe NHS prescriptions in this case for exacerbations of pre-existing illnesses. E.g. antibiotics for patients who have frequent infections secondary to an underlying lung condition.

GPs may provide private prescriptions if it is clinically appropriate and they can be self-administered safely without medical assessment while abroad. These prescriptions are not free.

Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and you should check with that countries embassy before you travel.

See NHS facts of travel abroad

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1755.aspx?CategoryID=73&SubCategoryID=105

https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs