Prescription Types

There are essentially three types of Prescription: NHS Prescriptions issued by primary care practitioners; Private Prescriptions issued by private practitioners and Hospital Prescriptions issued in a hospital to be dispensed at the hospital pharmacy or taken to you GP to be translated into an NHS Prescription

Private Prescriptions

We can dispense Private Prescriptions issued by GMC (General Medical Council) registered Doctors.  These are not subject to NHS charges but you will have to pay for the medication itself and a dispensing fee. There are no exemptions for private prescriptions and all items will need to be paid for.  This will also be the case for Hospital Prescriptions brought into the Pharmacy, which are treated as a Private Prescription.

If you would like us to dispense your Private Prescription and would like a no obligation price for your medication before you come to the pharmacy please contact us by phone or visit the pharmacy.

NHS Prescriptions

Many Doctors are now requesting Patients approach their Nominated Pharmacy directly for repeats and not via their Surgery.  In general, we are only able to accept requests for Willow Tree Family Doctors, but the number of other local Surgeries is increasing, so please do check with us.  If you provide your mobile number we can notify you by text that your medication is ready to be collected from the Pharmacy or under certain circumstances, we can arrange to deliver to you free of charge.

Prescription Costs

For the latest information on prescription costs in the UK, please visit the NHS Health Costs Webpage.

Who is entitled to Free NHS Prescriptions?

Broadly, you can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

  • Are 60 or over or are Under 16.
  • Are 16-18 and in full-time education.
  • Are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate.
  • Have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate.
  • Have a continuing physical disability that prevents you from going out without help from another person and have a valid Medical Exemption.
  • Hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability.
  • Are an NHS patient in hospital (inpatient).

You are also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partners) are named on, or are entitled to an NHS tax credit exemption certificate or a valid HC2 certificate (full help with health costs), or you receive either:

  • Income Support.
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

For full details of exemption statuses and the criteria for these exemptions, please see the NHS Health Costs Webpage.

EPS Prescriptions

The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS Service. It gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the place you choose to get your medicines or appliances from.

What does this mean for you?

  • If you usually collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the Pharmacy of your choice, saving you time.
  • You will have more choice about where to get your medicines from because they can be collected from a Pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop, or are away from home.
  • You may not have to wait as long at the pharmacy as there will be time for your repeat prescriptions to be ready before you arrive.

Is this service right for you?

Yes, if you have a stable condition and you:

  • don’t want to go to your GP practice every time to collect your repeat prescription.
  • collect your medicines from the same place most of the time or use a prescription collection service now.

It may not be if you:

  • don’t get prescriptions very often.
  • pick up your medicines from different places.

How can you use EPS?

You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called nomination. You can choose:

  • A Pharmacy.
  • A dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one).
  • Your dispensing GP practice (if you are eligible).
  • An online service.

Ask any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS or your GP practice to add your nomination for you. You don’t need a computer to do this.

Can I change my nomination or cancel it and get a paper prescription?

Yes you can. If you don’t want your prescription to be sent electronically tell your GP. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to any pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS, or your GP practice. Tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place.

Is EPS reliable, secure and confidential?

Yes. Your electronic prescription will be seen by the same people in GP practices, Pharmacies and NHS prescription payment and fraud agencies that see your paper prescription now.

Sometimes dispensers may see that you have nominated another dispenser. For example, if you forget who you have nominated and ask them to check or, if you have nominated more than one dispenser.

Benefits to You.

  • If you get a repeat prescription, you will not have to spend your time going to your GP practice each time to pick up your paper prescription. Instead your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, with less chance of it getting lost.
  • Nearly all pharmacies will be connected to the service, so you will be able to get your medicines from any pharmacy you choose – whether it’s near home, work or the shops.
  • You may not have to wait as long for your prescription items, as often there will be time to get your repeat prescription items ready before you arrive. If any of the medicines on your prescription are out of stock when the pharmacist receives your prescription, they can be ordered in ready for you.
Secret Link