Absolutely flabbergasted. Does anyone else experience problems with repeat persciptions.

[overnighthearingloss]

So this is the time I absolutely HATE.

It's time to collect my monthly medicines.

I hate this time as it is rare if I do not have problems being able to get my regular repeat meds. Either the pharmacy has not got them in stock, or more usually my GP's surgery has seemingly fouled up yet again in submitting the prescription to the pharmacy.

I have been on quite a long list of drugs. The list continues over several prescription sheets. But they are all in MY NAME, MY ADDRESS, MY MEDICAL NUMBER. One might think that was enough to link them together.

But no. That's is not to be assumed at all. Almost without fail, whenever I try to collect my meds I am told one of the prescriptions has run out.

Because it is nigh on IMPOSSIBLE to make an appointment to see a GP at my surgery even using the EMIS online booking service, I have previously discussed the repeat prescribing with the GP receptionist. I come away feeling battered but with a degree of hope that the issue has been resolved. But the saga just seems to continue.

At the end of my tether I decided, i would need to make a gp appointment to get the issue resolved. But on ringing the surgery I got the automated message that it was not possible to make an appointment. So I logged into the emis system. I have previously had access to book appointments online.

No. That has all changed. It says I have permission to do so but I get a message saying I can't do that. So I ring the GP receptionist to request that I can make a forward appointment.

No, that's not possible either.

I was told that the emis forward booking service resets at midnight. So maybe at 12.01am I might be able to book an appointment.

But hey ho it's only a healthcare service I am talking about. Not as if it's an emergency If it all goes wrong!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And some people may wonder why I try to hard to find alternative therapies to assist me when an NHS gp service is available........

[Lisalou19]

Does the online service you use allow you to order your prescriptions too?

I used to be able to but the system has all messed up and now I can’t do anything on it 😡

I did moan today and the receptionist ordered the repeat for me!

I don’t think it’s the pharmacist or doctors fault , it’s the blooming technology that us humans have become so reliant on which fails constantly!

X

[overnighthearingloss in reply to Lisalou19]

I used to be able to request repeat meds, but the emis permissions for that seem to have been screwed up as well.

Honestly the terms *iss up and brewery are the only way I can describe the administration side of my GP's practice. I really need to speak to her directly if I am to get any hope of a resolution. I just CANNOT rely on any of the admin staff. What does that say?

I don't want to be a time waster booking an unnecessary gp appointment but I don't know how else to deal with the sheer incompetence.

[PMRpro]

Can you write to the CCG? And complain over the practice manager's head?

[overnighthearingloss in reply to PMRpro]

I have considered that on many occasions. But my gp is very good and the surgery is nearby which I think is essential if I am unwell. The surgery seems very oversubscribed these days and they may use any complaint of that type to force a change of surgery.

I just wish that the admin staff were of a higher level and more patient focused.

[PMRpro in reply to overnighthearingloss]

True - might speaking to the PM encourage an improvement? Not that it would make much difference speaking to one PM I can think of ...

[overnighthearingloss in reply to PMRpro]

Guess what. I need to make an appointment to do that.

Guess who I need to approach to do that?

I am considering writing a letter to my GP and leaving it for her to read. That way I may be able to list everything.

It has worked in the past until the admin staff foul everything up again.

[PMRpro in reply to overnighthearingloss]

You can write to the PM...

[overnighthearingloss in reply to PMRpro]

I guess I could. But I want ALL of my prescription sheets to be supplied for the same length of time so if the request needs re submitting i know when that will be, and I think it's only the GP that will be able to set that in stone.

There never appears to be anyone available with any degree of seniority. That can't actually be true. Buts that's the appearance given.

It was never like this when I was a child. I am at a totally different surgery in a different area, but the attitudes are all so different.

[PMRpro in reply to overnighthearingloss]

I know - some things were much better in the pre-digital days

[suzannah16]

I get problems too. Not all my tablets are on repeat so I have to order those separately. some things I get 28 days worth others 2 months worth [60 days] pharmacy often gives me wrong brand of hydroxy despite it being specified on my prescription. tablets I take one a day of I get 2 months worth and others I take 2 a day I get 28 of. I have a cupboard of tablets and each one comes in a different box each time I order. hard to keep track of with a foggy brain.

[overnighthearingloss in reply to suzannah16]

That's what annoys me so much. When they all run out at different times it's so much hassle.

But then after all that, when the gp system is occasionally working correctly, the pharmacy makes up the prescription and then often can't locate it amongst all the others.

I really think I need to relocate. But worried that could mess with all my hospital stuff.

Where to start??? 😥

[JStro52]

It’s not necessarily the digital aspect, rather the clinic’s setup of it. I’ve recently moved and had to switch GPs, and whereas the previous location was fantastic on EMIS, allowing me to book appointments at pretty much any time, order prescriptions, etc., the new clinic is terrible and it’s no more convenient than battling through to get on the phone. There’s no guidance whatsoever as to when the appointments are released and ordering medication is impossible. I also can’t see any of my patient records and what the doctors see is incomplete. Complain to the practice manager as others suggest.

[Frosty1960]

Feel your pain I too go through it, the worse thing is not all meds on repeat form as they say can't be done.

Same problem with docs surgery I have to go to surgery and stand in the que waiting to open as only way can get appointment.

[farmerfeste]

You are in a right guddel change gps

[Lupiknits]

If you go down the write a letter route, I think the PM is best. He/she, is responsible to the GPs for the smooth running (which mean income).

Otherwise, I feel your pain. It’s bad enough to get there and collect, far less doing it twice. If I get a new med, the GP prescribes enough to line up with the others. It isn’t rocket science.

Online, for appts for me, it’s like the bad old days when you had to start phoning at 8am, get the engaged sound for 45mins, then get through and all the appts were gone.

At least now I can call the receptionists, and ask for a call back from a GP. Will yours allow this?

Getting an online appt here is only possible if some decent person has let them know they don’t need the appt, and so there’s a slot free. It’s like winning a jackpot though. Then they have those looped screen information screens in the waiting areas saying x number failed to turn up for appts. I honestly think there should be a fine for that.

I do hope they get this sorted, and realise the system is not good for your health.

[overnighthearingloss]

I am hoping I have got it sorted this time. Pharmacist lent me some prednisolone as there's no way you can just stop that overnight. I have most of the most important ones now.

The stress of it all has knocked me flat however. It's the second day of a migraine which I hope is lifting now. And this morning my BP was at 164/120. Yes that is correct.

Patient care hmmmm.

Then I saw this in the newspaper

dailymail.co.uk/femail/arti...