Temporary approval to suspend the need for signatures on prescriptions, dental and ophthalmic forms (extension to 31 August 2021)
Temporary approval to suspend the need for patients to sign prescription, dental and ophthalmic forms extended until 31 August 2021.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has approved an extension to an existing temporary measure in England to help limit the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) by suspending the need for patients to sign prescription, dental and ophthalmic forms. The suspension has been in place since 1 November 2020 and is now extended for a further 2 months until 31 August 2021.
This is to avoid cross contamination and help minimise the handling of paperwork when collecting medicines or receiving dental and eye care.
This must be carried out in line with the criteria set out in the attached document.
Patients will still be required to either pay the relevant charge or prove their eligibility for an exemption from charges. Where patients are exempt from charges, the dispensing contractor, dental or ophthalmic contractor will mark the form on the patient’s behalf to confirm the patient’s entitlement to exemption and, where applicable, to confirm that the patient’s evidence of eligibility has not been seen. Additionally, where patients would otherwise be required to sign the dental and ophthalmic forms, contractors will annotate the form with ‘COVID-19’ instead.
This is a temporary approval in light of coronavirus (COVID-19).