As the closure of Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) looms closer, patients in Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath, and North East Somerset are being informed of imminent changes set to take effect later this week.
Effective Thursday, February 29, POD will no longer accept prescription requests via email or through the form on the ICB website. Patients who have previously used these methods are advised to transition to ordering their medicines through the NHS App, available for free download on any tablet or smartphone.
Additionally, starting from Friday, March 1st, phone lines into POD will operate on adjusted hours, opening at 10 am and closing at 3 pm.
The decision to close Prescription Ordering Direct, a service enabling patients at select GP practices to order regular medication over the phone or via email, was previously announced with a closure date on or before June 30th.
This forthcoming change means that patients reliant on the service will need to adapt to ordering prescriptions either through the NHS App or by directly contacting their practice, aligning with the prevailing method for prescription management in the region.
Presently, POD continues to operate under normal hours. Patients who have not yet received communication from their GP practice regarding the future management of their prescriptions should continue to order in the usual manner.
The adjustments being implemented this week aim to allocate POD colleagues more time during the working day to facilitate the overall transition process, ensuring a smooth and safe handover of prescribing responsibilities back to GP practices.
All patients currently using POD will receive communication from their GP practice in the coming weeks, detailing how their prescription needs will be managed post-closure. It’s noted that some GP practices may initiate the processing of prescriptions earlier than others, urging patience from affected individuals awaiting communication from their surgery.
For those seeking further information regarding the closure of POD, a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions can be accessed on the ICB website at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.
