Please order through your online patient service provider to ensure safe review and ordering

You may request that your nominated pharmacy deliver your prescription to the door however please be aware that they may require up to 72 working hours in order to fulfil your request so please order in time.

Anyone can order on your behalf therefore please ask any carers to drop your request off if you are not able to order online.

If you do not have online access and you or a nominated person are not able to drop off your request then we wish to support our patients as much as possible therefore you may contact the surgery by telephone

IF YOU RUN OUT OF MEDICATION AND REQUIRE URGENTLY YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CONTACT NHS 111

Prescriptions will be sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy or to the nearest community pharmacy to your address so please check your chosen nomination

If you need medication out of hours then please contact NHS111

Please remember to inform them of your preferred choice of pharmacy - especially if you or a family member are not staying at your usual address

NHS Policy

By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK.  In addition GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.

The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should the find an alternative supply of that medication.

Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months should be removed from the registered patient list.

Longton Health Centre Policy

Travelling out of the country for less than 3 months
For patients who inform us they will be out of the country for less than 3 months, we will provide sufficient medicines for an existing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes…) for the period while the patient is away where it is clinically safe to do so.  Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns or if regular health monitoring reviews have not taken place. 

Travelling out of the country for more than 3 months
Patients who inform us they will be leaving the country for more than 3 months will be prescribed sufficient medication to enable them to make alternative arrangements at their destination, up to 3 months’ supply where clinically safe to do so.  Drugs that require frequent monitoring may not be prescribed where there are safety concerns or if regular health monitoring reviews have not taken place. 

They will also be removed from our patient list. We will be pleased to re-register patients on their return to residence in the UK and can reassure patient that their electronic notes are kept on file for reference on your return.

Patients and/or relatives should not seek medication for themselves while they are abroad as this constitutes NHS fraud.

Prescriptions for medicines in case of illness while abroad.

GPs will only prescribe NHS prescriptions in this case for exacerbations of pre-existing illnesses eg antibiotics for patients who have frequent infections secondary to an underlying lung condition.

Patients should be aware that some drugs commonly prescribed in the UK may be illegal in certain countries and you should check with that countries embassy before you travel.

Prescribing Statement 2026.rtf

Age UK helps older people get online. For more information and to find your local Age UK centre please go to www.ageuk.org.uk or call the Age UK advice line on 0800 169 2081

UK online centres which help people learn how to use the internet and manage their health online.

For more information and to find your nearest local venue, please go to www.learnmyway.com

Good Things Foundation in partnership with NHS Digital is running a programme to ensure people have the skills they need to access relevant health information and services online.

For more information please go to www.goodthingsfoundation.org

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. 

• Prescription charges

  • Single charge: £9.90
  • 3-month PPC: £32.05
  • 12-month PPC: £114.50
  • HRT PPC: £19.30

  Wigs and fabric supports

  • Surgical bra: £32.50
  • Abdominal or spinal support: £49.05
  • Stock modacrylic wig: £80.15
  • Partial human hair wig: £212.35
  • Full bespoke human hair wig: £310.55

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.

You may find that the name of your drug has been changed.

Please click on the link below for a Q&A sheet and helpline information.

Self-Care Patient Q & A

For more information about self-care please visit www.nhs.uk