News
28-day prescription policy for patients being discharged from hospital
The NHS has implemented a 28-day prescription policy for patients being discharged from hospital. This policy aims to balance patient convenience, good medical practice, and minimal drug wastage. The policy is based on the following principles:
Patient Convenience:
Patients will receive enough of each medicine to last for 28 days, making it easier for them to manage their medication.
Medical Practice:
The prescription interval should be in line with the medically appropriate needs of the patient, considering factors like the stability of the condition, the duration of the medication, potential side effects, and any monitoring required.
Resource Management:
The policy helps safeguard NHS resources by reducing the amount of medicine wasted when it is stopped or changed by doctors.
Safety:
By reducing the number of containers of the same medicine, the risk of errors and potential poisoning is minimized, especially for elderly patients and young children.
Financial Impact:
The majority of patients collecting repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges, and if they do, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can save them money if they have more than 3 prescription items in 3 months or more than 11 prescription items in 12 months.
Patients should be aware that some medicines, such as inhalers, insulin vials, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy, may not be suitable for 28-day prescribing due to clinical or safety reasons. The prescriber will determine the appropriate interval based on the individual patient's needs.
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Adult ADHD Referrals
Important Information for Adult Patients Seeking ADHD Referrals
- If you are being referred for ADHD through the Right to Choose pathway, you do not need an appointment with a clinician.
- You will still need to complete the necessary forms and send them to us. Once received, our secretarial team can process your referral directly.
- However, if you are being referred through the NHS via a Mental Health Practitioner, you will still need an appointment.
Useful websites are the NHS website and https://adhduk.co.uk › right-to-choose
If you’re unsure which pathway applies to you, please contact the practice for guidance.
Important Information
From Monday 3rd November 2025, to request an appointment with a GP, please complete the online triage form. You can access the form HERE or by clicking the link below or via the NHS App.
If you need assistance completing the form, a member of staff will be happy to help.
Please note:
- Reception will no longer be able to book GP appointments in person or over the phone.
- Nursing appointments can still be booked by telephone as usual.
Understanding our appointments
Our practice is here to support your ongoing health and wellbeing. We offer:
Routine appointments for:
- issues that can wait a few days until the next available appointment
- on-going long-term health conditions
- medication reviews
- general check-ups or follow-ups
Urgent appointments for:
- Problems that need attention sooner but are not emergencies
- a new health problem that you haven't told us about before
- worsening symptons that need attention today or soon
- problems you're worried will get much worse if you wait longer
In line with NHS England and UK Government contractual requirements, our practice is making changes to how appointments are accessed and managed.
These changes are designed to help ensure patients are seen by the most appropriate clinician, in a timely and effective way.
We appreciate your support and understanding as we implement these nationally mandated updates.
Get The Care You Need Quicker - Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System
For further information on triage and a step-by-step guide on how to complete the triage form, please click HERE
New 0300 telephone numbers at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
To improve our telephone systems, services at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are gradually moving to new telephone numbers beginning with 0300 443. This change is part of a wider upgrade to a more reliable and efficient phone system, designed to improve the experience for both patients and staff. This process will happen over the next six months.
Patients will be called by a number starting 0300 443, answering or calling back the number costs no more than a normal call to a 01 or 02 landline number. 0300 numbers simply allow organisations like ours to have a single point of contact.
Once a service has their new 0300 443 phone number confirmed, it will be updated on any printed letters or other material given to patients. Departments will also update the relevant information on the Trust’s website. Old phone numbers for key patient services will have a voicemail added to the line for a period of time confirming the new phone number for patients to call.
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Page created: 10 July 2024