Frequently Asked Questions & Useful Links
The Integrated Care Board responsible for planning most NHS services in the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes area, have been looking at how people who use stoma products currently receive their prescriptions and how to enhance the care that people using stoma products receive. Having all stoma prescriptions provided by a single, centralised service will mean that prescriptions will be authorised by a team of specialist stoma nurses, who will be able to ensure that patients are ordering and using the best products for their particular needs.
BLMK SPS is a service provided by Bullen Healthcare on behalf of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board. Bullen Healthcare runs NHS stoma prescription services in other areas.
We will automatically register you onto the new service, so you don’t need to do anything at this stage. Once you are registered with the service, you will receive a welcome call from one of our personal advisors to introduce you to the service and explain how it works.
In line with your preferences either one of our personal advisors will contact you by telephone, or you can call us on 0808 141 0824 or email prescriptionservice.bhg@nhs.net, or use the online order form. You will need to answer three health and product-related questions to ensure your products are meeting your needs. If you are experiencing any stoma related problems we may ask a stoma nurse to contact you. You will confirm how you want to have your prescription dispensed and it will be sent to your dispenser of choice (delivery company or community pharmacy) within 2 working days.
You will be asked to confirm your details, this is to make sure that we issue the prescription correctly. You will also be asked three health and product related questions.
The three health and product related questions you will be asked are:
- Have you had any issues with your pouches or the items you receive for your stoma since your last prescription?
- Have you had any sore skin around or near your stoma since your last prescription?
- Have you spoken to or seen a stoma nurse or doctor about your stoma since your last prescription?
You will also be asked to complete a stock-check, this is to ensure that you have sufficient supply at all times but that you don’t end up with an excess stock of products. You will need to check your stock levels before your monthly phone call is due.
You will be able to choose the dispenser or dispensing organisation. You will be asked for your preferred dispensing organisation at each time you request a prescription. The dispenser of your choice could be a dispensing appliance contractor or a local pharmacy.
You can find a list of dispensing appliance contractors on the NHS website at: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/pharmacies/appliancepharmacies
You can place your order via email or you can order online.
If you wish to make a complaint about the BLMK SPS service or to let us know about something that has gone well, please email us at prescripionservice.bhg@nhs.net alternatively, please call us on Freephone 0808 141 0824.
Your prescription will usually be for one month’s supply of stoma products, unless there is a reason you need more product, such as going on holiday.
If you are in urgent need of any stoma products then please phone us on 0808 141 0824 and we will arrange for an emergency prescription to be issued.
It is easy to just ask for a repeat prescription, but patients don’t always need the same amount of products every month. By doing a monthly stock check you will only ever order exactly what you need, and any problems that you might be experiencing can be picked up quickly and referred to one of our specialist stoma nurses.
The service will send the prescription to your dispenser in the same way your GP does.
Yes you can. You are still able to seek advice from your registered GP regarding your stoma and any associated healthcare needs. However all prescriptions for stoma-related products and appliances will need to be issued by the BLMK SPS service.
The BLMK AMPS service does not replace the care that you might be receiving from the specialist nurses at your local hospital.
The service is not about cutting costs, but about providing the best care and service to patients who are using stoma products.
You will always be able to order the products that are appropriate for your clinical needs. Changes to your current prescription will only be made following a review with a stoma nurse.
