Important Information About Private Prescriptions

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At Orchard Surgery, our priority is to provide safe, fair and consistent care for everyone in our community. To help keep things clear for patients, we want to share an update about our approach to private prescriptions.

Our Position

We understand that patients sometimes ask whether a GP can issue a private prescription. However, as an NHS England GP Practice, our clinicians must follow national prescribing rules, which means we cannot issue private prescriptions as part of our NHS work.

All prescribing carried out by our GPs is provided through the NHS only, ensuring that everyone receives the same standard of care and that we remain fully compliant with NHS regulations.

Why This Is the Case

NHS England & BMA Guidance

Both NHS England and the British Medical Association provide clear guidance stating that NHS GPs must use NHS prescriptions for NHS patients and cannot provide private prescriptions during NHS appointments or using NHS time or systems.

These rules are designed to:

· Ensure fairness and consistency

· Prevent unnecessary charges for patients

· Maintain safe and transparent prescribing pathways

We understand that these regulations can sometimes feel restrictive, but they are in place to protect both patients and clinicians.

Indemnity & Safety

NHS GP indemnity (CNSGP) only covers clinicians for NHS work. Private prescriptions fall outside this protection, meaning NHS GPs cannot legally or safely issue them while working within the NHS.

What This Means for You

· All suitable medications will be prescribed through an NHS prescription only.

· We cannot issue or convert prescriptions into private ones.

· Your care will always follow NHS England and BMA prescribing standards.

Further Information

If you would like to read more about national prescribing rules, reliable information is available from:

· NHS England Prescribing Guidance

· British Medical Association (BMA) GP Prescribing Guidance

· GMC Good Practice in Prescribing

These resources explain the wider UK rules that GP practices must follow.