Medication

[Wellington19]

Iwent to JOHN RATCLIFFE a few weeks ago , cardiology offered me a change of statins, asked gp three weeks ago , and they still havent done anything about

[Captain_Birdseye]

You haven't asked a question, so I'll just suggest you go back to your GP and get an appointment to clarify what's gone on.

I don't know who (or what) John Ratcliffe is or why this is significant - but I don't believe we're supposed to give out the names of doctors etc here.

[Wellington19 in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

JOHN RATCLIFFE main cardiology hospital in OXFORD, gp wont even give me a telephone appointment

[Beta70 in reply to Wellington19]

I suggest you make an appointment with your GP who can change your statins without a cardiologist's approval. My GP changed mine. Sometimes it takes a while for information to get passed through to your GP and added to your records especially now the NHS are under so much pressure and understaffed. If it is hard for you to get there you can probably make a telephone appointment.

[Wellington19 in reply to Beta70]

They have had a report , i also had a copy

[Wellington19 in reply to Beta70]

Cardiologist offered me the change of statins

[Captain_Birdseye in reply to Wellington19]

I doubt that GP surgeries are allowed to refuse appointments unless under exceptional circumstances.

Maybe you mean there is a long wait for non emergency appointments, as this medication change was brought about at your request, rather than through an urgent medical need?

Sadly that's the way of things across the country at the moment, we're all suffering long wait times just due to the current state of affairs.

[Wellington19 in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

They have passed my request all around the practice

[Valentina98 in reply to Wellington19]

Best thing to do is to call the doctor on Tuesday and say you want to speak to the doctor regarding medication.

I know it's frustrating

V x

[WardijaWardija in reply to Wellington19]

It's RADCLIFFE not RATCLIFFE

[Beta70]

In my area we are having to wait nearly 3 weeks for a GP appointment telephone or face to face because they are prioritising emergencies. It would be unusual for them not to give you one, just not an emergency appointment.

[10gingercats]

Go along to the J Radcliffe and ask for the appointmnet you need. I do this at the JR and have sometimes been given appoints. when nothing else works. Go to Cardiology check in desk.You wont get anything before Easter and then there is a junior doctors strike for 4 days.

[WardijaWardija in reply to 10gingercats]

Yes, agree with you on this one.

I'm also under the care of JRH Cardiology, as is my God Daughter, who was born with serious heart condition.

I, and indeed she (now aged 30) have never had any negative experiences.

Our respective Consultant's secretaries are always at the end of a phone, extremely helpful and always call back with information.

My tip for the OP, be pro-active in your own heath care and when dealing with your health team, be specific and persistent if necessary but overal, just be nice . .

[Hidden]

Has the cardiologist written to your GP regarding the change of medication? That is a phone call to the GP surgery and does not require an appointment. If not chase up the cardiologist's secretary to find out why. When the GP is notified of the proposed change they will likely do something. If they have nothing they won't. I was faced with a similar problem last year and my GP would not do anything until the cardiology document was available. When the document is in place you can then either arrange an appointment or write into the surgery which is what I often do in situations like this.

[Digger0]

Perhaps the later from cardiology to your GP has not arrived yet!

[Partner20]

Our GO readily admits she doesn't read any letters! Can you not do what we do and use e-consult to request the change in meds? If this has been approved and suggested by your consultant you don't need a GP appointment, just a new prescription. Hope you can get the change in meds soon.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi when my hospital (the jubilee in Scotland) change my meds they notify my GP and they automatically change my prescription without an appointment. Sometimes it takes a while for the letter to get to the doctor, if it was taking too long I would phone. We seem to be quite lucky up here with getting appointment's or advice, after a triage I have always spoke to a doctor and then if need be I can get a same day appointment. I hope you can get everything sorted out soon I find it really stressful having to deal with medics. Take care char

[JaninS]

You probably dont need to see G.P. or talk to them if cardiologist has written recommending change of statin. At our surgery the practice pharmacist would consult G.P. and then discuss with me by telephone, then change prescription. I find the practice pharmacist is more knowledgable than G.P. on things like, dosage, what time of day to take meds, how they work, side effects etc.

[jib70]

Hello Wellington19. How frustrating this is and I do sympathise. The same thing has happened to me a few times - hospital consultants recommending a new or different med - writing to the GP and thank goodness sending a copy of the letter to me so I was aware.

The last time was asking the GP to start me on dapagliflozin but after more than 3 weeks of this not happening I rang the surgery reception and left a message for the GP asking when can I have this dispensed. Two days later it was issued and now I've been on it for 4 weeks.

From my experience I don't think GPs do read consultant's letters. Fortunately most consultants send the patient a copy so we have that knowledge . One has to be more proactive now and I think just a call to surgery and message to GP should get things moving in these circumstances.