Repeat prescription phone service to be cut

The prescription ordering service was introduced in Shropshire almost a decade ago

A phone-based service for ordering repeat prescriptions is being phased out in Shropshire.

Instead, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said people should contact their GP directly or use the NHS app.

Prescription Ordering Direct (Pod) has been used in the county since 2016, but the NHS body said it had faced "persistent access issues, rising staffing costs, and no longer represents good value for money".

The trust, which in June agreed a three-year plan to cut up to £260m from its budget, said the Pod service cost it £1m each year.

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin said about 70% of its GP practice currently used the Pod and that it was originally introduced to cut waste.

However, following a review, it said the Pod duplicated services being offered by the NHS app and GP surgeries.

The Pod service is expected to be phased out over the next few months, it said, and has urged patients to take part in a survey to help the transition.