Important Information regarding your Prescription
Changes to prescribing of bath and shower
preparations
The NHS will be asking doctors to stop or greatly reduce the prescribing of some
treatments. This is because the treatments are:
• Not as safe as other treatments OR
• Not as good (effective) as other treatments OR
• More expensive than other treatments that do the same thing.
This includes bath and shower preparations for dry and itchy skin conditions.
This document will explain why the changes are happening and where you can get more
information and support.
Which bath and shower preparations are affected?
Moisturising bath and shower preparations are bath oils that are poured into the bath
water, and bath and shower emollients which can be used to wash the body. These
products are used for dry and itchy skin conditions such as eczema.
Why will these bath and shower preparations not be prescribed
anymore?
A study showed that using pour in the bath emollients did not make any difference to
eczema symptoms and therefore using these products is not a good use of NHS
resources.
There is no good quality evidence to show that bath and shower emollients are more
effective than leave on emollients used as a soap substitute.
There are also risks with using bath emollients such as skin irritation if large amounts
are used, particularly if antiseptic bath oils are used.
What options are available instead of these bath and shower
preparations?
It is still really important to use leave-on emollient moisturisers and avoid soap.
Emollients can be used as a soap substitute. Mix a small amount (around teaspoonful)
of emollient in the palm of your hand with a little warm water and spread it over damp or
dry skin. Rinse and pat the skin dry, being careful not to rub it.
You can use soap substitutes for handwashing, showering or in the bath. Emollients do
not foam like normal soap but are just as effective at cleaning the skin.
Items which should not routinely be prescribed in primary care – bath and shower
preparations for dry and itchy skin conditions
Where can I find more information and support?
• You can speak to your local pharmacist, GP or the person who prescribed the
medication to you.
• Your local patient group.
• NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/emollients/
• The Patients Association can also offer support and advice: www.patientsassociation.
org.uk/ or call 020 8423 8999
• British Medical Journal. Results of the BATHE study including patient video.
https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1332
Find out more about the medicines that are being stopped or reduced:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/medicines/items-which-should-not-be-routinely-prescribed/
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Electronic Prescription Service
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The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service which allows us to send your prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy of your choice (near to where you live, work or shop).
You have 2 choices for how this works:
- You can choose a pharmacy or dispenser to dispense all your prescriptions. When you get a prescription, it will be sent electronically to the dispenser you have chosen. You can collect your medicines or appliances without having to hand in a paper prescription.
- You can decide each time you are issued a prescription where you would like it to be dispensed. When you are issued a prescription, you will be given a paper copy that you can take to any pharmacy or other dispenser in England. The paper copy will contain a unique barcode that will be scanned to download your prescription from the secure NHS database.
Book a Blood Test
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Patients are now able to book blood test appointments online.
Please click here.
Breast Screening
Facebook
To keep up to date with Practice Information please join the Chafford Hundred Medical Centre Facebook Page.
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Important News regarding Text Messages
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You may be aware that the new General Data Protection Rules will be coming into force from 25th May 2018.
If you wish to continue to receive text messages from this surgery (for appointment reminders, health messages etc) you will need to ensure that we have your consent to do so. Please speak to a receptionist who will record your consent or dissent.
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Appointments
Currently the majority of appointments are conducted by telephone. The doctor will arrange a face to face appointment where appropriate.
The appointments system is reviewed regularly. We always appreciate feedback from patients and if you wish to comment please do so using the Suggestions box in Reception.
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Anticoagulant Medication (ie Warfarin, Marevan, Phenindione, Acenocoumarol) - Change in Procedure
If you are requesting a repeat prescription for this medication you are now required to provide your current INR level along with the date of your latest blood test, due date of your next blood test and the current dosage of medication.
Practice Registrations
Due to the increased numbers of patients currently registered with this Practice, from 1st April 2016 the Practice will be registering patients from Chafford Hundred only. We recognise the need to be able to provide a consistent level of care to our registered patients and will ask patients moving to an address other than Chafford Hundred to register with another Practice.
Thank you for your co-operation.
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Meningitis B Vaccine
A new vaccine to prevent meningitis is being offered to babies as part of the routine NHS childhood vaccination programme. The Men B vaccine is recommended for babies aged 2 months, followed by a second dose at 4 months, and a booster at 12 months.
Which babies should have the Men B vaccine?
The Men B vaccine is offered to babies alongside their other routine vaccinations at:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 12 months
The vaccine has the brand name Bexsero, and is given as a single injection into the baby's thigh. The Men B vaccine can be given at the same time as other routine baby vaccinations.
Further information is available on the following websites:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/meningitis-b-vaccine.aspx
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/meningococcal-b-menb-vaccination-programme
Named GPs
All practices are required to provide their patients with a named GP who will have overall responsibility for the care and support that our surgery provides to them. This doctor will have overall responsibility for the care and support that our surgery provides to you but this does not prevent you from seeing any GP within the practice.
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Travel Notice
Malaria: It Only Takes One Bite!
Ensure you get advice on all the vaccinations required when you travel abroad. Take a look at the Travel Vaccinations page (under Clinics & Services) for more information. Remember to submit your travel forms at least 4 weeks prior to travelling.
Volunteers Wanted for Patient Group
Interested in becoming involved with the practice Patient Reference Group? Please see the Patient Reference Group page for more details.
Online Appointments Booking and Repeat Prescription Ordering
You can now have access to our appointments system online. By using this system you will be able to book an sameday telephone appointment with a GP. You can also have access to the new Repeat Prescription ordering facility. The new system will allow you to choose the medication from your medical record (repeat medication screen only) rather than you having to type into the current form on the website or an email. You will be able to see a list of your medications with dates when they were last issued to you. Utilising this service will enable you to access both appointments and prescriptions 24 hours a day.
The service also allows you to view your Summary Medical Record which contains details of your medication, allergies and sensitivities. If you already have access to online booking and ordering prescriptions you will need to reapply in order to see your Summary Medical Record.
The new system requires you to have a user name and password in order to log on. To find out more and obtain a user name and password please speak to a member of the Reception Team. The service is not available for children under the age of 16.