The GP can offer a private prescription where they feel that prescription medication could assist the patient in treating their symptoms.
Private prescriptions will only be raised:
- At the sole discretion of the clinician
- During a telephone or video consultation
- If it is safe, clinically appropriate and in the patient’s best interests
- If it complies with Health Hero prescribing policy
Health Hero follows GMC (General Medical Council) best practice guidelines for remote prescribing. Please be aware that some medications cannot be prescribed remotely, and the clinician will advise if they are unable to do so.
In the absence of possession and knowledge of the patient’s medical records and follow up care, except for the contraceptive pill in Ireland, the service is not suitable for issuing repeat prescriptions.
If the patient is unable to satisfactorily answer the clinician’s questions, then they may not be able to raise a private prescription. Common medicines prescribed are short courses of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and pain relief.
Clinicians have full access to the British National Formulary. However, many drugs in this Formulary would not be appropriate to prescribe remotely. Health Hero prescribing policy provides the framework for the clinical decision-making process and stipulates limitations on the quantities of controlled medications. Schedule 1, 2 and 3 controlled drugs cannot be prescribed at all. The maximum quantities of a controlled drugs vary by type, a medication containing codeine, for example, would be limited to maximum of 40 tablets (or equivalent) for a maximum of five days’ supply. Health Hero follows the South Central Antimicrobial Network guidelines which are based on national guidelines and against which, all doctors are audited.