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.
These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.
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.
There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website
Our GP are able to refer you to a specialist services if your condition meets certain criteria for referrals to be accepted.
Please access the link below to find out what happens when you are referred to see a specialist.
What happens when you are referred by your GP to see a specialist
Repeat Prescriptions
If you take regular medication for well controlled conditions and have a monthly repeat prescription you can have your prescription issued without seeing your GP.
The best way to order your prescription is via NHS App which we encourage everyone to download and use. Please see related article for more information NHS App and your NHS account – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Attached to your printed prescription is a list of your usual medication. When you need another supply of your medication this acts as your re-order form which can be handed in or posted.
Please allow 72 hours to collect your prescriptions and longer if your pharmacy is collecting prescriptions for you. Please provide a stamped and addressed envelope if you would like us to return prescriptions to you by post.
You can also request your repeat, through the system also used to book an appointment. You can find the link to this here Patient Access – GP appointments & prescriptions online
In summary you can order your prescriptions in the following safe ways:
We are sorry but requests for prescriptions cannot be taken over the telephone. This is due to possible errors and having no evidence trail of the request. If you have any queries please contact us on 01606544300 option 3 2pm—4pm Monday to Thursday and 2pm—3pm on Fridays. Please note we will require 3 days (72 hrs to process your request).
Home Visits
If you are too ill to travel to the surgery a doctor or a PCN paramedic will visit you at home. Please contact the surgery between 8.30am and 11.30am on 01606 544300 choosing option 4 and give our staff as much information as possible to enable our clinician assess the urgency of your request. Please be aware that home visits are reserved for housebound and terminally ill patients.
Our consulting rooms have better facilities for examination and treatment than are available in your home and it is often to your advantage to attend the surgery.
When telephoning for a home visit or for the telephone advice, your call will be dealt with by a member of our administrative team who will either be able to provide advice or forward the enquiry to one of our clinicians. Please note they may need to contact you to clarify your request prior to arranging the visit.
Childhood Immunisations
Immunisation for children is particularly important and we hold clinics with our practice nurses. Appointments are sent by post, but if you have any queries please discuss them with your health visitor or doctor. Please don’t forget to bring your child’s Red Book
Firdale Medical Centre currently offers variety of appointments with our doctors, nurses, pharmacists and musculoskeletal specialist (MSK).
We offer face to face consultations, telephone consultations and also provide online consulting option for both clinical and administrative queries. We strongly encourage all our patients to submit all administrative queries via our Online Consulting system PATCHS, link to which is located in our main navigation bar on the top of the homepage.
To book an appointment please phone the surgery in the morning. We offer appointments on a day and in advance.
A proportion of our appointments is released for online booking and can be accessed using link Appointments (Book or cancel your appointment) under a news section on the homepage.