Noticeboard

Coronavirus

 

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back to the UK from any of the countries below, follow the specific advice for returning travelers. Detailed advice for returning travelers is available on gov.uk.

 

Call 111 now if you've been:

  • to Hubei province in China in the last 14 days or Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or "special care zone" areas in South Korea since 19 February (even if you do not have symptoms) detailed maps are available on gov.uk
  • to other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath
  • to other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath
  • in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

 

 

Further information is available on nhs.uk.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (N.H.S. prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The N.H.S. prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription Prepayment Certificates (P.P.C.) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.


N.H.S. Charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

  • Prescription (per item): £9.65
  • 12-month Prescription Prepayment Certificate £111.60
  • 3-month Prescription Prepayment Certificate: £31.25

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a P.P.C..

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the N.H.S. website