Query about NHS prescription

NHS Prescription Services has previously been known as the Prescription Pricing Authority, and also as the Prescription Pricing Division. Now it is National Health Service. The NHS remains free at the point of use for anyone who is a resident in the UK. That is currently more than 60 million people. It covers everything from antenatal screening and routine treatments for coughs and colds to open heart surgery, accident and emergency treatment and end-of-life care. A checklist of questions to ask your doctor at your appointment for NHS prescription Tests, such as blood tests or scans • What are the tests for? • How and when will I get the results? • Who do I contact if I don’t get the results? Treatment • Are there other ways to treat my condition? • What do you recommend? • Are there any side effects or risks? • How long will I need treatment for? • How will I know if the treatment is working? • How effective is this treatment? • What will happen if I don’t have any treatment? • Is there anything I should stop or avoid doing? • Is there anything I can do to help myself? Before your appointment • Write down your two or three most important questions. • List or bring all your medicines and pills – including vitamins and supplements. • Write down details of your symptoms, including when they started and what makes them better or worse. • Ask your hospital or surgery for an interpreter or communication support if needed. • Ask a friend or family member to come with you, if you like. During your appointment • Don’t be afraid to ask if you don’t understand. For example, ‘Can you say that again? I still don’t understand.’? • If you don’t understand any words, ask for them to be written down and explained. • Write things down, or ask a family member or friend to take notes. Before you leave your appointment Check that: • you’ve covered everything on your list • You understand, for example ‘Can I just check I understood what you said?’ • You know what should happen next – and when. Write it down. rnAsk: • who to contact if you have any more problems or questions • about support groups and where to go for reliable information, and • For copies of letters written about you – you are entitled to see these. After your appointment, don't forget the following • Write down what you discussed and what happens next. Keep your notes. • Book any tests that you can and put the dates in your diary. rnAsk: • what’s happening if I’m not sent my appointment details and • Can I have the results of any tests? If you don’t get the results when you expect – ask for them. Ask what the results mean. Hope these checklists of questions will help you at your appointment for NHS prescription.