SPECIAL SERVICES
Certain services are not available on the NHS and therefore a fee may be charged. They include
medical examinations for PSV, HGV and taxi drivers. Fees are also chargeable for private
medical certificates.
TEMPORARY RESIDENTS
If you are registered with us and a relative or friend requires medical attention while staying with you,
we can treat them under the temporary resident system. Please tell the receptionist
if a patient is a temporary resident. Conversely, if you require medical attention while
outside our practice area, you can contact any doctor practising in that area and request
to be treated as a temporary resident.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – PUBLICATION SCHEME
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 obliges the practice to produce a Publication Scheme. A Publication Scheme is a guide to the ‘classes’ of information the practice intends to routinely make available.
This scheme is available from reception.
GENERIC MEDICINES
About Your Medicines
Next time you visit us you may be prescribed medicines which look different to your last supply. This may mean that the doctor has prescribed a generic medicine for you. If you are worried about a change in the name or appearance of your medicines, check with your pharmacist or doctor who will explain why they are different.
Where Do Your Medicines Come From?
New drugs are developed by drug companies who patent them and give them a special brand name. This is so that other companies cannot copy them. It also helps people to remember the name of their medicine. The other name for a medicine is its generic name. One example of a generic medicine is paracetamol, which is commonly known by the brand name Panadol.
What Is A Generic Medicine?
After the patent has run out for the branded medicine other companies can manufacture it under a generic name. The medicine is just as safe and effective as the original branded product but is usually much cheaper. Using generic medicine saves the NHS millions of pounds and allows that money to be spent on you and other patients.
Why Do Generic Medicines Look Different?
The original colour and shape of branded medicines are sometimes included in the patent, so you may notice that your generic medicines are different in colour, size, shape and even taste. This does not alter the effect of the medicine. In some cases tablets and capsules have special coatings so that the medicine lasts longer in the body and the doctor may feel that it is best for you to stick to one brand.
Checklist For Patients
Discuss any worries about your medicines with your pharmacist or doctor.
Know your medication by its generic name and strength.
Take your prescription to the same pharmacy each time.
Generic prescribing is simple and can save the NHS money. You and other patients can benefit from this extra money and the improvements to healthcare that it can bring.
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