Changes made by North Durham CCG (RPOS)

Patients can no longer order their prescription at a Pharmacy

Changes to repeat prescriptions in County Durham and Tees Valley – 8th July 2019 by jbarber

The way patients order prescriptions in County Durham and Tees Valley will soon be changing.

From September 2 2019, community pharmacies will no longer be able to order repeat medication for patients. Instead patients will order their medication directly from their GP practice.

Patients will still receive the medication that they need, but the way they order it will change.

NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have already ensured work is well under way to ensure this process is as smooth as possible for patients.

Dr Janet Walker, Medical Director for Tees Valley CCGs, said: “We have made the decision to revise Repeat Prescription Ordering Systems in order to improve patient safety and reduce medical waste. The changes will ensure patients only receive the exact medication they need and it should make a huge difference.

“The project has been adopted from similar work already implemented in other areas such as Sunderland, South Sefton and Luton. Because of this, we know the positive impact we will be able to make for patients.

“The five CCGs working on the project are excited to see the results of the changes made.”

The changes to repeat prescribing are being made by NHS South Tees CCG, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG, Darlington CCG, North Durham CCG and Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG.

There will be a small number of patients for whom the changes will not be suitable and it may be appropriate for their local pharmacy to continue to support them with ordering repeat medication. As part of the project, GP practices will identify these patients and special arrangements will be put in place for them.

For more information on the project, please email [email protected] or neil.o’[email protected] or [email protected]