Worrying developments in repeat presc... - British Heart Fou...

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Worrying developments in repeat prescription guidance or incompetent GP Surgery?

BillyMct profile image
23 Replies

I've been trying to order a repeat prescription of bisoprolol since Monday (using the NHS app) and each day the surgery has rejected it. My script is for a single tablet per day with an option to take an additional tablet post exercise (as agreed with a local GP) however the surgery repeat team seem insistent I can only have so many tablets over a fixed time and ignore the "PRN?" element. This is the third day of trying and calling the surgery admin to point out that I will run out early next week , they have stated they aren't allowed by (NHS?) policy to order any earlier than 4 days before a script is due to run out, and ignoring the PRN aspect this seems a bit of a tight schedule given it can take some chemists that long to process the script, any issues in the mean time , lost order, delay in supply will likely put lots of patients into having no supplies of likely critical meds ?! anyone else experiencing this , any advise for escalating to a suitable body? I'm not under the care of the local NHS cardiology any more so cant call upon them though at this rate I'll be calling 111 to try to get an emergency order that way.

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BillyMct
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23 Replies
SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd

I think I'd be inclined to ring and ask to speak to a GP. The idea that they can't dispense a prescription until 4 days before you run out is nuts. I put my repeat requests in about 10 days before I run out, and over bank holidays - Christmas, Easter even earlier - never had a problem

Manhattan1 profile image
Manhattan1 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd

i’ve never had a problem with repeat prescriptions.. aways been advised to order at least a week before i run out of medication

SpiritoftheFloyd profile image
SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Manhattan1

Yep - that's what I was told - there's always a chance the pharmacy has to get stock - it's happened to me a few times.

Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53

I wonder if the Admin Team at your GP are not understanding the problem. If I am understanding you correctly maybe your prescription needs changing to a greater quantity, if in the event you end up building up a surplus you can miss ordering one month - thats the approach my GP takes. Ask to speak to GP or Pharmacist at GP surgery if there is one.

Fluffybee profile image
Fluffybee

When I’ve filled up 2 weeks dossett boxes I then go through and order the next sack full, that way I have 4 weeks incase I cannot get there or problems with orders.

I do have a couple of GTN sprays I keep in separate places incase I forget to take one with me.

I also think it’s best to start with your GP and explain the problem as reception/pharmacy may not know what you need. Good luck, hope you get it sorted. 🤞🏻

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

A few years ago I had a few issues when a new Practice Manager came on board. It was comparable to those receptionists who think they are triage nurses. She has now left. 😁

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

No I was St George. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

benjijen profile image
benjijen

I book mine on the 'patient access' app. I order about a week before they are due. It shows the renewal date against each medication so can't really go wrong. Have about 2 months supply at a time.

Clerkenweller profile image
Clerkenweller

Reading this string it depresses me that there are so many inconsistencies in the NHS. Where I live I order repeats on line and get my repeat from a local pharmacist within 24 hours. Any problems (shortages, me screwing up etc) my excellent pharmacist sorts me out.

Baz51 profile image
Baz51

I would speak to your GP, as I don’t get that problem

Good luck

BillyMct profile image
BillyMct

All sorted but it’s a fudge as they have doubled my script so I won’t run out before due date as I will be under consuming the dosage given I don’t exercise everyday. They are still insistent they can’t order any earlier than 4 days before the due date. I feel a complaint to the local nhs gp commission is coming as that is still a risk to those who depend on their meds.

ColourfullMe profile image
ColourfullMe

Hi to you billy

I think this is the worst system the NHS has introduced I did have access to my app but it no longer working I have the email address for my doctors so I email them phone up and ask for their email address.

ColourfullMe.

I use the Patient Access app. I sometimes leave a message on it when ordering meds. I can order one week before running out. I haven't tried doing it any further ahead. The app and my surgery have been fine. I had to give a little push when I was due to come off 2 meds it being a year since my heart attack - but this was at the behest of the pharmacist who came out front last time to say I need to get in touch with GP to remind them of my upcoming 'anniversary'.

Seems like practice does vary (regrettably).

Wellington19 profile image
Wellington19

Order your repeat prescriptions from designated chemists had difficulty when orderd on line ,prescriptions were not sent to chemists from doctor's

gladliz profile image
gladliz

Yep! Know the problem. I put my repeat scrip into the Chemist about 10 days before due. It takes 3 days for the Drs to receive, sign and return to Chemist and a week for them to send it to their 'hub' for dispensing and return for me to pick up. I receive 2 boxes of each tablet (56) as I take 2 per day but as I take a varying amount of warfarin , I run out of them sooner but I can't just order them on their own as it would take too long to get them and new scrip back in time to order my others. I have asked several times for my amount to be increased, explaining why, but nothing happens. 😞

Handel profile image
Handel

Hi BillyMct.

You're not alone I don't think.

I had exactly the same with an insulin order I dared to put in 6 days before the date on the repeat! When I rang to speak to our GP, he'd obviously spoken to the pharmacy. For some reason, late that afternoon, I had insulin delivered (even though I usually stick a mask on and collect mine and my husband's pills and stuff.

Good luck Billy xxxx

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

My local pharmacy does everything for me except actually order the script which I do via Patient Access. The pharmacy phones me a week before it's due to give me time to order everything then they have plenty of time t o make sure they can get it all then t hey just turn up and deliver it. . I normally order about 7 days before it's due. Never had it refused.

thetidders profile image
thetidders

We live on the Wirral, the same as Spirit of the Floyd but different GP practices & we don’t have a problem either. We order our prescriptions every 4 weeks not monthly & put the slips into a little box in a porch at our GPS. The requests are sent digitally to our local Chemists for us to pick up. We haven’t had any problems recently

Jean

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs

I have had huge problems with ordering meds, I had to change gp's another story, and the new one won't let me use patient access as he won't give me a repeat prescription because I am a new patient, considering I have just had a transplant I will be on immunosuppressants for the rest of my life, I think that should come under repeat! I nearly ran out last week due to the the Dr not processing it and the pharmacy having to order them, it's not a good situation, so stressful, I have just re ordered, I hope no problems this time char

080311 profile image
080311 in reply to Thanksnhs

Oh Char, hope you get your prescription sorted without anymore trouble. When you have been through what you’ve been through trying to get your meds is something you don’t need to worry about.

Husband as a shipping order! He had a stroke 5 weeks after my surgery so between us have a lot of drugs every month. Luckily never had a problem though a couple of months ago one of his drugs didn’t arrive but a quick call to the chemist and it was here 2 days later. I repeat order via the chemist and they deliver. Like you am in Scotland and so far not had a problem.

Hope you get your refill without anymore delays.

Best wishes Pauline

Thanksnhs profile image
Thanksnhs in reply to 080311

Hi fingers crossed I will be ok this week, it will be a laugh if docs and pharmacy get it right and hospital then change it, I can see that happening 😂I hope your husband is doing well in his recovery and yourself of course, at least we are not missing out in anything with the new restrictions, it's all so depressing when trying to get back to normal, roll on next year, take care both of you, char

BillyMct profile image
BillyMct

Just a quick update, it looks like this policy on not being able to order before 4days before the prescription due date is a GP practice one & not one set by the local commissioning group, unfortunately GP practice choice is limited locally and the group running my practice also run a number of the other local ones & others that are independent have a poorer reputation so patient choice in this space ranges from non-existent to zero.

My NHS app is also not giving me enough time to re order and get delivery of repeat meds,I have pointed out to surgery most tablets come in packs of 28, therefore I am already short most months !! So frustrating

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