The NHS prescription charge is a contribution to the NHS - it is not a payment to the surgery or its dispensary and it is not related to the cost of your medicine(s). It 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).

Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

The charges apply in England only:

• Prescription (per item): £9.90
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £114.50
• 3-month PPC: £32.50

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.  PPCs are available by 10 monthly direct debit instalments payments.

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

Updated:  01/05/2024

If you take medication on a long-term basis these medicines may be on a repeat prescription which you can request without needing to see your doctor.

You may order your repeat medication in any of the following ways:

• Online from the Home Page of our website or direct at
  https://systmonline.tpp-uk.com
• Via Systmonline's Airmid App on your smartphone
• Via the NHS App on your smartphone
• By posting or handing in your repeat order form at the Practice
• By phone using the automated service on 01388-817777 (Option 2).  
  This option requires you to have a PIN which you can get from Reception.

Note the first three options require you to be registered for on-line access and have selected a default pharmacy to which your repeat medication will be sent. 

Click here for more information about EPS

Remember – Don’t tick every box on your repeat prescription if you don’t need every item. You will still be able to order these medicines in the future.

Special arrangements will be made for patients who are not able to order their repeat medications themselves.

If you wish your repeat prescription form to be returned by post, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope.

Please allow at least two complete working days (48 hours) before collecting your prescription, remembering to make allowance for weekends and public holidays.  Normally prescriptions will not be available for collection at your chosen pharmacy until after 5pm.

Prescriptions will not be issued to children.

Please note your pharmacy may need and additional 24 hours to obtain and dispense the medication.

 Updated:  22/06/2023

New Patients

If you have repeat medication at your current surgery, please make an appointment to see one of our Advanced Nurse Practitioners or Doctor for a medication review. As St Andrew’s has clinical responsibility for any medication issued to our patients, we must carry out a medication review before issuing any repeats.

Reviewed:  20/03/2023

Electronic Prescription Services (EPS)

We recommend you use EPS to have your prescription sent to the pharmacy of your choice. Once you have selected the place you wish to collect yours medicines the Practice will send the prescription electronically. This means that you will have more choice about where you get your medicines because they can be collected from a pharmacy near to where you live, work or shop and you will not need to pick up a paper prescription at the surgery.

You can use the EPS regardless of how you order your repeats - just let us know the pharmacy of your choice.

For more information go to NHS Electronic Prescription website.

Please contact Reception to register.

Updated:  22/01/2023

St Andrew's Medical Practice is committed to safeguarding NHS resources by ensuring value for treatment and limiting waste.  As the price and availability of treatments change, we may therefore consider safe, alternative treatment options that are more cost-effective and switch to these where appropriate. 

We will inform you whenever these type of changes take place and are happy to discuss any applicable concerns at the time. 

By being registered as a patient at St Andrew's, you acknowledge that the treatments we provide are continually reviewed and may be changed to more cost-effective options or stopped based on the available evidence.  

Added:  15/08/2023

Added:  10/10/2023