The practice accepts prescription requests by:

• Submitting the completed right hand side of your prescription to the surgery, positing it in the lobby letter box or passing it to a receptionist.
• Submittting an email to johnhampdensurgery@nhs.net
• Or via your online services portal. Please ask at reception for details.

Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.

Ordering prescriptions  The practice would like to encourage patients where possible to use the NHS App or email to order your prescriptions.  This was the system before Covid.  You can still ring us if you can't manage these methods and you can't post your prescription request through our letter box.  The change is to reduce the number of phone calls we are getting and so make it easier for patients to get through to us early morning. 

For help setting up the NHS app please use the link above ' NEED HELP USING OUR ONLINE APPS'

However, where a patient is noted to be HOUSEBOUND we will be happy to support over the phone requests.

Need help ordering your repeat prescription? You can follow our digital assistant by clicking above - it will walk through a step-by-step guide to either get your set up online or show you where to find your test results.

The Prestwood Chemist is open from 09:00 to 18:00  Monday to Friday (closed 13:00 to 14:15) and 09:00 to 16:30 on Saturday.  It can be found on the High Street in Prestwood centre.

Some chemists are open in Great Missenden, Amersham, High Wycombe and Chesham until late in the evening.  Please see local press for details of chemist opening hours.

We advise that you take some form of evidence of the medication you are taking when you go on an overseas holiday, in case you mislay anything.  This may help you get replacement medication from a pharmacist or doctor while you are away.  Your evidence could be in the form of a patient medication history (the repeat prescription slip you get from the pharmacist) if you have one to hand, or making sure you have the NHS App on a mobile phone you take with you.

Patients on repeat medication will have their medication reviewed at least once a year either opportunistically, during issuing of medication initiated via request by the patient or at chronic disease management annual reviews. If the GP wishes to see you regarding your medications you may be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse.

Help with NHS costs

In England, around 90% of prescription items are dispensed free. This includes exemptions from charging for those on low incomes, such as:

• those on specific benefits or through the NHS Low Income Scheme
• those who are age exempt
• those with certain medical conditions
• More information is available at NHS Choices

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

• Prescription (per item): £9.65
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £111.60
• 3-month PPC: £31.25

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months or more than 14 items in 12 months, 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.

Changes to how the NHS prescribes ‘over the counter’ medicines for minor health conditions

NHS England shared information about reducing the prescribing of medicines or treatments that can be bought over the counter.

The information says that stopping the routine prescribing of these medicines will save the NHS around £100 million.

Our Plans in Buckinghamshire

In Buckinghamshire, we spent over £1.5 million in 2017/18 on prescriptions that could have been bought over the counter.

So, we are the reducing the amount we spend on around 35 different medicines and treatments for minor conditions and ilnesses.

These usually sort themselves out without any treatment or by treatments that can be bought over the counter.

We want to free up resources so we can spend them in other areas.

What does it mean for you?

We are asking you to buy the following items yourself. They can be bought quite cheaply from a pharmacy or supermarket:

You will still be prescribed these medicines if you:

• Need long term treatment e.g. paracetamol for arthritis
• When the medication cannot be sold due to the product licensing regulations e.g. steroid nasal sprays for children

Speak to your pharmacist for advice on treating minor problems e.g. coughs and colds, mild eczema and athlete’s foot. They will always tell you if you need to see a doctor.

Patients who need these drugs in regular quantities can continue to get them on prescription.

If you visit your GP who then recommends you buy the treatment, please remember they are following national guidance.

NHS choices has lots of information and advice on treating minor health problems with self-care

www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/home-remedies-for-common-conditions/

Find out more about the conditions for which over the counter medicines will no longer be prescribed at:

www.england.nhs.uk/medicines/items-which-should-not-be-routinely-prescribed/