Prescriptions

• Use our online system, AccuRx
• Post a written request including your name, date of birth and address in the box at the surgery.
• In an emergency contact the surgery by telephone.

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.

The HRT PPC is 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

Patients on repeat medication may be asked to see a doctor, clinical pharmacist or practice nurse at least once a year to review medication.

You will be notified if you need to make an appointment.

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

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

Patients often ask if we can prescribe sedatives prior to radiological procedure eg CT scans or MRI scan.

It is NOT safe for GP practices to prescribe sedatives for patients.

Safe and effective analgesia and sedation should be delivered by an appropriately trained and credentialed team with good access to anaesthetics, pre-procedure assessment, sedation plan and checklist, with appropriate monitoring and availability of resuscitation equipment and reversal agents.

Sedated patients should be regularly monitored, and we are aware of a case where a GP-provided sedative was given, the patient not monitored, and subsequently had a respiratory arrest in an MRI machine.

Practices are not required to prescribe this, and we would highlight the following:

Benzodiazepines such at 2mg diazepam are probably sub-therapeutic for most adults for any effective sedation. Conversely anxiolytics can have an idiosyncratic response in patients, and even very small doses can cause increased agitation in some groups of patients.

A patient may take a sedative ‘an hour’ before their assumed procedure, to then attend the hospital to find their procedure has been delayed, therefore the timing of the anxiolytic being sub optimal.

GPs are not regularly involved, skilled, trained or appraised in sedation skills.

Hospital consultants, both those requesting imaging and those providing it, have access to the same prescribing abilities as GPs.

If a patient needs a certain medication to enable an investigation to go ahead, they are best positioned to provide a prescription, either through the hospital pharmacy or a hospital prescription.

The Royal College of Radiologists‘ own guidelines on sedation for imaging makes no mention of GP involvement or provision of low dose anxiolytics and stresses the importance of experienced well trained staff involved and the monitoring of sedated patients.

To help patients avoid situations where they are not adequately sedated for a procedure or are unmonitored due to the procedure team being unaware of consumed sedation provided by general practice, we would decline requests even if the hospital asks to do so for prescribing in those circumstances. Where the referral for imaging is made, it may be useful to highlight that an assessment for support during the procedure by the radiology team may be beneficial on the referral form as well

We understand that fear of flying is a genuine and alarming issue. It can be incredibly challenging, and we want to support you in any way we can.

However, we have a policy of not routinely prescribing sedatives for fear of flying. The clinical team has made this decision to ensure your safety, and all prescribers in the practice adhere to it.

We know that you may have concerns about this policy, so we wanted to explain the reasons behind it. Diazepam, a common sedative, can cause drowsiness and relaxation. While this might seem helpful during a flight, it can also impair your ability to respond to an emergency. This could have serious safety implications for you and others on your flight.

Furthermore, sedative drugs can cause non-REM sleep, which can increase the risk of developing a blood clot in the leg or lung. Blood clots can be fatal, and the risk is even higher during long flights. Additionally, while benzodiazepines like diazepam usually cause sedation, some people may experience paradoxical agitation and aggression, which could put you and others at risk.

We want to assure you that our doctors follow prescribing guidelines to ensure your safety. Benzodiazepines are contraindicated in phobia, and prescribing them against these guidelines could put our doctors at legal risk. These drugs are only licensed for short-term use in cases of crisis, and it is important to receive proper care and support for your mental health.

We suggest that you consider enrolling in a Fear of Flying course run by the airlines. We have listed some options below that you may find helpful. We hope that you understand our policy and appreciate our commitment to your safety and well-being.

Easy Jet www.fearlessflyer.easyjet.com Tel 0203 8131644

British Airways www.flyingwithconfidence.com Tel 01252 793250

Virgin www.flyingwithoutfear.co.uk Tel 01423 714900

Patients who still wish to take benzodiazepines for flight anxiety are advised to consult with a private GP or travel clinic.

It is important to declare all medical conditions and medications you take to your travel insurer. If not, there is a risk of nullifying any insurance policy you may have