Name Surgeries Who Suppor…?

[B12again]

Can anyone name GP surgeries who actually support B12 deficiency patients who SI and who supply the necessary dosage injection ampoules for their individual need? I have a doctors appointment on Tuesday which will be an ongoing discussion of my EOD need which he knows I SI. If I get the opportunity, I want ask how some surgeries will and my surgery won’t.

[Penni]

Ashington House Surgery in Swindon. They have been great with me. Once a year I get a new box of ampules and a fresh sharps box when I need it.

[Jillymo in reply to Penni]

Hi Penni,

Unfortunately Ashington House is out of my catchment area. 😢 Are you prescribed a 3 monthly injection ?

[clivealive Forum Support]

I have to say B12again that the surgery I've been registered with for 58 years strongly resisted my even ever needing increasing the frequency of my jabs but then along came covid and four years ago

I was called in and given four sets of needles and plungers (I've always kept the prescribed 5 pack of vials at home since I was diagnosed with P.A. 52 years ago). I guess it was thought the epidemic would be over in a matter of months- it wasn't, so we bought needles etc ourselves.

My wife Gill had a crash course in loading and interjecting and has continued doing them ever since and I'm still "clivealive" at the age of 82 and the surgery continue to issue the prescriptions.

I wish you well and hope that you get the treatment you need.

[B12life in reply to clivealive]

Cheers Clivealive!!!!!

It's always so good to hear from you!

Do you think this has affected your memory?

It seems that's the one thing I can't get to 100 or even 90.

[Nackapan]

The surgery that prescribed loading doses then eventually 5 weeks later put me back on every other day has now closed.I lost the one G.p that saw me at my worst and the one out of 6 that followed a neurologists request.

At the time the surgery shut I had a 2 weekly prescription.

Also 'allowed ' to inject subcutaneously at home.

I also get IM b12 injections done by the nurse.

All of this was not easy to say the least.

I'm presently still injecting 'prescription ' b12 at home.

I however do buy my own needles

Didn't bother fighting that .

So presently an NHS

prescription of 2 weekly.

I'm on no other medication .

[B12again in reply to Nackapan]

Can you give the name of the surgery.

[Nackapan in reply to B12again]

Like I stated its closed.I really don't think naming surgeries will help.

Maybe new NICE guidelines will.

Also advice for professionals ftom The Pernicious Anaemia Society wil.

Hope it goes well.

[Sailinglady]

One of the surgeries i work for has recently implemented a process for teaching self injecting and supplying the paraphernalia (unfortunately the needles and syringes are not prescribable on the nhs (but i have plans for that, but they will take a while)). Sharps boxes are prescribable and can be changed at your local pharmacy.The process we're using was adopted from another surgery who had a CQC review and it was approved by CQC (I've added a few other bits just to be absolutely sure it's bomb proof).

I won't name my practice because it risks identifying me and I can't remember the name of the original practice, sorry (but they won't allow injections more frequently than 3 monthly, so not the holy grail we're all hoping for).

The other surgery I work for is a bit slower to pick it up, but we'll get there. We're also trying to implement it across our area as part of the implementation of the NICE guidance.

Implementing the NICE guidance is daunting (from a number of people affected perspective) and the surgeries receive no specific payment for this work. Treating B12 deficiency won't be a priority service for practices unless it becomes part of QOF (quality and outcomes framework, one of the ways gp surgeries are paid). This is the sad reality of the way primary care is funded. Because it is a private business, contracted to provide a service to the nhs, the main funding routes dictate the main priorities of work for general practice (without money, there are no staff, without staff no services will be provided).

[Myoldcat in reply to Sailinglady]

That's a very interesting insight into NHS priorities Sailinglady. Not looking very hopeful for us B12 deficients country wide, but a huge thank you for your endeavours, and here's hoping that through your work your colleagues recognise the importance of timely treatment and supporting SI. I am very fortunate as my surgery currently prescribes my ampoules for twice weekly SI.

[MorningMist in reply to Sailinglady]

And I suppose now to abolish the NHS all they have to do is remove the signage and blue logo, because that’s all that remains of it.

In fact in the area where I live some services have been renamed, with just a small reference to the nhs as a footnote.

[Hectorsmum2]

I think it would be helpful if a list was complied of helpful doctors and GPs surgerys. Thyroid uk has one for thryoid issues and it is much used.