Psychiatry UK is moving to electronic prescribing for NHS and Right to Choose patients. This change follows a national NHS England mandate for services to move away from paper prescriptions. Not all patients will move to electronic prescribing immediately. This will depend on local NHS arrangements.

What this means for you

Currently prescriptions issued by Psychiatry UK are sent to our pharmacy partner and delivered to your home by courier. With electronic prescribing, your prescription will instead be sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice, where you’ll be able to collect your medication.

Prescription charges

When prescriptions are dispensed through a community pharmacy in England, the standard NHS prescription charge will apply, unless you qualify for free prescriptions. You may not need to pay if you’re eligible for an exemption (for example based on age, certain benefits, pregnancy, or low income). If you don’t qualify for free prescriptions and require regular medication, you may wish to consider a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC), which allows you to pay a fixed cost for prescriptions over a set period, and may help reduce the overall cost. You can visit the NHS website for further information and to buy a PPC here.

 

Benefits of electronic prescribing

Moving to electronic prescribing will simplify how prescriptions are issued and received. Compared with the current process, electronic prescribing offers several benefits:

  • Faster access to medication:

Prescriptions can be sent securely to a pharmacy straight away, helping to reduce the time it takes for medication to reach you.

  • Greater flexibility and choice:

You can choose a community pharmacy that’s convenient for you to collect your medication.

  • No need to wait at home for deliveries:

Instead of waiting for a courier delivery, you can collect your medication from your nominated pharmacy when it’s ready.

What happens next

You will be informed via the patient portal when the process for receiving your medication is changing, ahead of your first prescription being issued through electronic prescribing.

When this applies to you

  • You will continue to request your prescription as usual via the patient portal by sending a note to your prescriber.
  • Instead of completing a Prescription Address and Payment Exemption Confirmation Form, you will be asked to complete a Pharmacy Address Form to confirm where your prescription should be sent.

For further information, visit our website guide: NHS Prescriptions England: Ordering, Collection, Charges, Exemptions and FAQs.

Here you’ll find a detailed guide and a short video explaining these changes.

 

Frequently asked questions

  1. Q) Will this change how I order my medication?

No. You will continue to request your medication through your prescriber via our patient portal as usual. Each time you request medication, you will be asked to complete a Pharmacy Address Confirmation Form to confirm which pharmacy your prescription should be sent to. This means you can choose a pharmacy for that prescription, including an alternative to your nominated pharmacy if needed.

When your prescription is dispensed through a community pharmacy, the standard NHS prescription charge (£9.90 per item) may apply, unless you are entitled to free prescriptions or have a valid Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC).

Q) Can I opt-out and continue to receive my medication via Private Pharmacy Group (PPG) and have my prescription delivered to my home address?

No. As this change is required by NHS England, we are no longer able to issue prescriptions and medication via online pharmacies.

Q) I’m concerned about prescription costs

We have created a help guide on our website which explains prescription costs, exemptions and ways to reduce costs. Please review this guide to see whether you may be eligible for free prescriptions or other support.

Q) I can’t collect my prescription from a pharmacy

You may wish to contact pharmacies in your local area to ask whether they offer home delivery services.

Q) Someone I know is still receiving medication via courier delivery from Psychiatry UK

Not all patients will remove to electronic prescribing at the same time. This depends on local NHS arrangements and is outside our control.

Q) Will this affect my treatment?

No. Your clinical care and medication remain unchanged. This update only affects the way prescriptions are issued and supplied.

 

Please see our website guide for further information about:

  • Prescription costs and exemptions.
  • How to order a prescription.
  • Choosing your nominated pharmacy.
  • Top tips for collecting your ADHD medication.