NHS patients to get easier access to prescriptions
National Health Service patients are to be allowed “more flexibility” in obtaining prescription medicines.
The Department of Health has confirmed that the Secretary of State for
Health, Dr John Reid, is preparing plans for this as a result of his
own experiences (our Lobby correspondent writes). A White Paper expected
near Christmas will propose allowing people to obtain prescriptions from
general practitioners near their workplaces rather than having to wait
to see their family doctors.
There will also be an extension to existing pilot schemes allowing patients
to
e-mail repeat prescription requests to their doctors. Surgeries will,
in turn, contact pharmacies electronically to place orders. Under the
proposals pharmacists will be allowed to deliver medicines direct to
homes or offices.
An official said: “This is the direction in which we are already
going.” But Dr Reid is speeding up the process in part because
of his own experience as a sufferer of iritis.
Dr Reid has to rely on his doctor in Hamilton, Scotland, for medication,
even though he spends most of his working week in London or visiting
hospitals and health professionals across England. “This has caused
me problems on several occasions, and I fully understand the need for
a more responsive service,” Dr Reid said. |
