My GP surgery requires 48 hours notice to issue repeat scripts & warns px it's their responsibility to ensure they don't run out of meds...

[Clutter]

So, WTF don't they fulfill the scrips requested?

16 Dec I requested several items. I received 2 weeks supply of Sertraline (instead of usual 4 weeks) and folic acid wasn't fulfilled. A blood form was enclosed instructing VitD and BF to be tested.

30 Dec I again requested Sertraline & Folic Acid rpt scrip mentioning items were missing from earlier request.

31 Dec Bloods: VitD, BF, TFT.

03 Jan rang for results. VitD &BF in letter from Dr. By Numbers. TFT results to be reviewed by Dr. A on Monday before I'm permitted to know.

Today, letter says take another blood test - folate low. Well there's a surprise! I ran out out of Folic Acid 25 Dec. No results for VitD or BF included in letter.

Rang pharmacy and no scrips have been sent to them.

Getting printouts takes almost as long as the 30 year rule for publication of cabinet papers.

Doesn't improve my mood that I've just read a study linking low B12, folate & TSH in Alzheimer's Dementia and vascular dementia ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[helvella]

You are beyond the point at which a formal complaint should be made, I think. Maybe to both the practice and whoever else is supposed to check (Care Quality Commission?).

Mind, I have every intention of remaining one of those who does NOT get prescriptions sent to pharmacy directly to avoid any possible issues and to leave me free to source the prescribed medicines from any pharmacy that can do so. The issues when T3 was effectively unobtainable convinced me of the need to retain that freedom.

Rod

[Clutter in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod. I wondered whether I was being unduly irritable. I'll email a complaint to the practice manager over the weekend. If there's a reason that the surgery won't fulfill a repeat request I'm willing to waste a GPs time with an appt (I had a meds review late November) but do need to be advised before I run out of meds.

How long after results are returned to the surgery do you feel is reasonable for printouts t

o be available to me?

I get prescribed the cheapest generic available so I'm happy for the scrip to be emailed to the pharmacy.

[alangardner in reply to Clutter]

hi there clutter, firstly I would --and do -- never get the prescription sent directly to the pharmacy because then I CAN DOUBLE CHECK THE ITEMS / QUANTITIES etc ... I have had this problem before [ and continuing ] because the pharmacy is ' an independant' and therefor always supplies THE CHEAPEST AVAILABLE OPTION AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME which is not always the optimal medication ....due to different fillers and brands --- many people on this site have dramatic issues with differing brands [ in my view mostly down to fillers used varying from manufacturers ....ie if you are lactose intolerant you NEED levo that doesn't contain it as a filler - and the filler ingredients are not always listed on the paperwork with the meds ].... that way you will know exactly what has been on the script [ and if part of the meds have been given you can then take it up with the pharmacy or practice .....secondly if you have been told that 1 of the tests show that you need to adjust your meds A DOCTOR HAS TO HAVE SEEN YOUR RESULTS AND YOU THEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE A COPY OF THEM because if the results have been seen and adjusted they [ should ] have been placed onto your records ......the practice cannot deny this ......and cannot refuse to supply them to you upon request ---- I get ours within 1 hour of a request unless I am with our doctor who prints them off directly and gives them to me [ about 90 seconds ..... but then again I do have a super gp ---- if he can do it why not others ?.....hope this is of help alan xx

[helvella in reply to Clutter]

I think that our lab can get the results from a morning blood draw done the same day. So the delay in availability would be down solely to the "doctor must see them first" protocol. For that, I suggest they should be available after three working days. Blood draw Monday morning, results on computer by end of Monday. Then Tuesday and Wednesday to allow GP to view. And so available to you on Thursday. (That is still far linger than it should be.)

[beaton]

I agree with Alangardner about collecting 'scripts from the surgery. I've had problems before with refusal to prescribe repeats I have ordered online,because not enough time had elapsed. No consideration to facts like holidays etc.. Also wrong brands. The last order I put in online was sent to the wrong pharmacy, which was very inconvenient.I now still order online but collect from the surgery .

[fiona]

I don't get my prescriptions sent direct to the pharmacy either. I've actually overheard one or two problems, such as something not issued as patients needed a review, but meanwhile left to run out and still had to walk round.

They've got to know me and my Liothyronine and order it in each month anyway. If I get an owing slip, it tends to be for one hypromellose, when I've been given the other, so I'll just call in when passing by.

As for blood results, I was always told to wait a week, to be sure doctor has seen them too.

[Clutter]

Thank you Rod, Alan, Beaton and Fiona. I'll be taking your advice about collecting my scrip from the surgery in future. I'll be able to deal with any omissions & errors on the spot then.

I find it frustrating to be told to make an appointment with the doctor to discuss my results, especially with the delays involved in getting an appointment. I prefer to have the results in front of me when I see the doctor in any case. I shall advise the practice manager that I'm reluctantly prepared to wait a couple of days to enable a doctor to review results but expect a printout to be available to me after that.

[Clutter]

I think I'm getting the surgery trained, but boy, they are damned hard work :/

Response to 3 requests for rpt scrip & complaint to P.Mgr:

Letter follows. You need to make an appointment with the doctor to discuss your medication prior to further issues. Yours sincerely

Response to request for printouts:

TFT results received but not VitD and BF. Next electronic delivery from the laboratory is tomorrow at 6.00 a.m. All results received by then will be waiting for you at reception. Our charge for this is £10.00.

Dear Mr. S

Re: TFT, VitD & BF drawn 31/12/13:

Financial constraints preclude me from paying £10 for copies of my test results.

I still want the results and as they are less than 40 days old I should like to view my records, without charge, and make my own notes. If Tuesday morning isn't convenient, please advise a good time.

Dr. B wrote to me 2/1/14 to advise that Folate drawn 31/12/13 is low. I should like to see that result plus B12 and VitD when they're available.

Yours sincerely,

JB

Dear Ms B, Our senior receptionist, Mrs ZM will be contacting you soon to arrange an appointment for you to view your results.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Clutter]

Good for you! It's important to let them know when they're falling short of the mark. (What on earth do they mean by 'prior to further issues'?)

This link is always worth sharing: nhs.uk/nhsengland/thenhs/re...

[Clutter in reply to puncturedbicycle]

'Prior to further issues' sounds like a threat doesn't it?

I suspect they're peed off because I accused them of poor practice, discourtesy and of compromising my health in my complaint.

Not too bright winding up a hypothyroid woman denied ADs though. I have links and I ain't afraid to use 'em

ps thank you x

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Clutter]

I thought they were trying to say get your meds sorted now with gp to avoid future problems (uh, sounds like you did this already and they dropped the ball or moved the goalposts to overdo the sporting metaphors) but used a borderline-illiterate turn of phrase to express that. I wonder if it was just a peculiar way to say 'now' as in, 'see your gp now to sort out meds'.

The link is mightier than the sword! x

[Clutter in reply to puncturedbicycle]

You may be right. I hope so, I don't want to be 'threatened' by the practice admin.

I had a meds review late November, which is why I find this so perplexing.

Really don't need this cr*p. Will try to make an auto booking at 6am ugh!