repeat prescriptions

[gejay]

My surgery has stopped us from ordering repeat prescriptions over the phone, has anyone else come across this? When I asked why they said that it was to do with security?????????

[CDPO16]

My surgery stopped patients requesting repeat prescriptions when they joined the electronic ordering system but so far it is still possible to use the paper repeat system.

As for security, I wonder if they have had problems with fraudulent requests.

[2greys]

My surgery has done the same. Visit in person, or online only.

[Hidden]

So what do housebound patients like me do then?

[secondhandrose2 in reply to Hidden]

You can send in a request in writing, they can't stop that. Also make a formal complaint to the practice manager in writing, if enough people do that it may change policy.

[Hidden in reply to secondhandrose2]

My surgery accept prescription requests via phone to my pharmacy who deal with it for me.

[Inamoment in reply to Hidden]

Order it online. It's very much easier, no risk of errors. Your surgery will give you a login

[deejames in reply to Hidden]

Ordering online is simple once the system is set up. Saves errors

[secondhandrose2]

Yes same here, online or in person only for repeats. It's crazy!

[sassy59]

We do it all online with no problems. Xxxx

[elanaoali]

Mine haven't excepted phone prescription requests for ages. However my mother can still do it but it's using a system.

[SORRELHIPPO]

I can only do via an online system or via email, I presume they would accept a letter if my computer went down??

[Jaybird19]

Use emiss on line. so easy to use when set up for you by surgery.

[Carnival567]

I always do online ordering as the surgery hasn’t accepted phone requests for more than three years, but I always order a fortnight in advance to make sure I don’t run out. It is sent to the pharmacy and we collect it, but some pharmacies do a delivery so you don’t have to go and collect it. If collecting it is a problem that is a great help.

[Hidden]

My understanding is it’s specifically about having a written request - it partly ties into GDPR and data protection, because there is a chance of confidential information inadvertently being shared if calls are taken by the receptionist in or near a busy waiting room (as is often the case in my experience), but the primary reason cited by most practices is that the risk for errors ordering verbally is also quite a bit higher on both sides: at our old practice, where the only option was over the phone or in person, I’ve experienced them issuing the wrong item or the wrong strength of an item a few times, which then wastes both time and NHS money, and is potentially a real safety issue if the patient doesn’t/can’t pick up on the error and takes the medication anyway. There have been a few publicised cases recently where incorrectly prescribed and/or labelled medication has resulted in death, so written patient requests will form part of the evidentiary evaluation for a coroner’s inquiry going forward where medication is believed to have caused the death. Same with fitness to practice hearings where it’s being suggested a GP’s prescribing has caused harm, because it prevents people from blaming surgery staff when they’re the ones at fault (and vice versa!) - written requests can’t be argued with, it’s evidence that the patient made the request, and what exactly they requested. That’s particularly true with online services whereby even if you’re not aware of it, you’ve almost certainly agreed not to reveal your login details to anyone as part of the T&Cs on sign up, meaning that the surgery can operate under the legal belief that only you can order your meds unless you’ve given someone else authority via the practice e.g. my account is linked to my daughter’s and I have limited ability to carry out actions on her behalf using it because she lacks capacity to do it for herself. That’s particularly relevant where a patient receives controlled or otherwise high value drugs, as it reduces the risk of fraud. I can be anyone I want to be on the phone, I only need a name and date of birth, but I can’t request a prescription via an online service unless I’ve got correct log in details, and if I did manage to order meds fraudulently that way, account access can readily be traced back to a specific time, device and IP address in an effort to identify the perpetrator. It’s not failsafe, but it adds another layer of security to the process that would deter and potentially trip up all but the most determined and professional naer-do-wells.

Our surgery in our new area only accepts written requests for all of the above reasons, along with also finding it’s more efficient with written requests because they can be passed directly to a GP to be issued on receipt, but if you haven’t got internet access, you can still drop a hand written request or your repeat slip in the box at either of the surgeries. It likely varies around the country, but I’m pretty sure we can even post it to our surgery via Royal Mail. They also accept a msg sent via the askmygp functionality they use alongside the more straightforward, self-ordered script using patient access apps. I actually prefer having lots of written options for contacting the GP: phone calls during surgery hours aren’t always convenient, particularly if small person is on the ward where you’re lucky to even be able to find 5 minutes to have a pee. You can request online at 3am if that’s the most convenient time for you, or if that’s when you wake up in a cold sweat having suddenly recalled you’ve forgotten something...

[Bingo88]

Hi gejay. We just leave our re ordering of prescriptions now to our local farmacy. They asked if we wanted to go on the repeat order system. We just get a text message telling us our prescription is ready to pick up. Great service. Brian

[garshe]

My Repeat Medications are delivered every month to my door from the Local Chemist. They pick up the Prescription from my surgery and it's all sorted. Great service. X Sheila

[Hidden in reply to garshe]

I have so many meds and I don"t want them all every month. It' s simple to ring my pharmacy, tell them which I need. They order them from GP, script is emailed back to pharmacy who deliver everything back to me. SIMPLES

[gingermusic]

Ours stopped this a good few years back have to order at the surgery on the paper request via the chemist or through an on line system which I use.

[Whitechinchilla]

I have never been able to do that at my practice.

Only by email or in person.

Housebound patients have automatic repeat scripts and they can be delivered by the local pharmacy.

[deejames]

We have had to order repeats online for about a year now. It's a good system as it's secure and frees up receptionists time. Works well