Items prescribed by all primary care practitioners

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Next update expected:September 2026

Updates

16th July 2026

This update includes the publication of data for the financial year April 2025 to March 2026

The number of Nurses in GMS practices for the financial year 2024 to 2025 has been revised from 1,440,651 to 1,440,666 due to a processing error where 15 items were incorrectly excluded.

2nd October 2025
Dataset first published.

Main information

Designation
Official statistics
Data provider
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
Data source
Prescribing Services
Time period covered
April 2023 to March 2026
Dataset ID
47bd3a34-5f14-4ee3-98d6-3f4f0a996aca

Overview

Summary of dataset and variables

This dataset is based on items prescribed by qualified practitioners, in a community setting in Wales, which are subsequently dispensed in the community in the UK.

'Items’ refer to each different medicine or appliance listed on a prescription regardless of quantity or volume. Only items which are dispensed are counted.

Data is categorised by the prescriber type. 'Regular' General practices are in a General Medical Services (GMS) contract with a health board.

Dental practices, pharmacies and optometry practices are also primary care contractors, with some staff who are able to independently prescribe, without needing to refer a patient to a GP or hospital. Welsh Ambulances Services Trust is not a primary care contractor, but qualified paramedics can prescribe items which are then subsequently dispensed in the community.

All of these settings are issued a 'W code' by health boards so that they can prescribe.

A number of other settings are also allocated W codes, which allow qualified staff to prescribe items which are subsequently dispensed in the community. These settings include specialist incontinence services, prisons, courts, police stations and out of hours GP settings.

Data collection or calculation

Prescriptions data are obtained from Prescribing Services, NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and are based on information on prescription forms sent by the prescriber for payment.

Statistical quality

See associated Statistical Release for detailed notes, background and definitions.

Related reports

Published by

Organisation
Welsh Government
Contact email
stats.healthinfo@gov.wales