Information about the General Practioners and the practice, required for disclosure under this act, can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the site manager.
Confidentiality & Medical Records
The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:
- To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
- To help you get other services e.g. from the social services department. This requires your consent.
- When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases. Anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Policy makers and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.
If you do not wish that anonymous information about you be used in such a way, please let us know.
Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.
Prescribing initiative by NWL
Reducing prescribing of medicines and products that can be purchased without a prescription
North West London CCGs’ Governing Bodies have approved the approach outlined in this letter to reducing prescribing of medicines and products that can be purchased without a prescription.
Clinical judgement should be used when considering whether it is acceptable to ask patients to purchase their medication, e.g. Paracetamol when required for headache can be purchased, and however regular full dose Paracetamol for chronic osteoarthritis may be less suitable for purchase due to the quantities involved.
The General Medical Council’s Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices (2013) includes: “‘Prescribing’ is used to describe many related activities, including …….advising patients on the purchase of over the counter medicines and other remedies…….”
The approach outlined above, is consistent with (legally privileged) legal advice obtained for NWL CCGs.
NWL CCGs envisage aligning their approach with national guidance if and when such guidance is published.
A leaflet for patients about the approach outlined above and a range of relevant posters are available as follows:
Medicines that can be purchased without a prescription
Ordering repeat prescriptions online
Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions
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.
Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).
If you think you may be exempt please ask for a medical exemption form from your pharmacist or doctor.
Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need several items of medication on a regular basis.
You can also speak to your pharmacist for further information.
Charges
- Prescription (per item): £9.15
- 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £105.90
- 3-month PPC: £29.65
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 .
To order a pre-payment certificate:
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
Useful leaflets and posters
Medicines that can be purchased without a prescription
Ordering repeat prescriptions online