Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) has taken a decision to discontinue the Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) system in its current format, and to stop its core functions.
The decision means that patients who use the service will soon need to order their prescriptions either via the NHS App or by contacting their practice directly, which is how most people in the region currently arrange regular medication.
It is intended for POD to close on or before 30 June, however, this date may change as plans are formed and formal timeframes are agreed.
POD is no longer accepting prescription requests via email or through the form on the ICB website and, from 1 March onwards, phone lines for POD will open slightly later at 10am and close earlier at 3pm.
All GP practices are funded to provide repeat prescribing services and the ICB is developing plans to ensure a smooth transition away from POD for affected patients, practices and care homes. Read more on this.