For those following you already know the recent challenges faced.
On Wednesday 21st November 2018, I put in request for repeat pain relief medications. According to the practice rules this gives them more than ample time for doctors to respond to Chemist request and all medications not included in blister pack to be dispensed.
First challenge:-
1. Telephoned Chemist who during our conversation rudely stated: He didn’t care whether or not the doctors did prescription! 😱 Believe me not taking things out of context or being melodramatic. As a matter of fact, am putting his attitude/behaviour rather mildly!
Step 2 - telephoned the surgery and spoke to their receptionist there who told me that he had no business speaking to me like that. Whilst she is sorry abt my experience, she would not take my request but rather told me to call back the Chemist as he needed to put the request in writing on my behalf 😧
Step 3 - Medications are delivered on Fridays. When the courier came there was no pain medications whatsoever - just blister pack. By the time you can fully appreciate the extensive excruciating pain am in. My sympathetic nerves has now started to give me sharp sticking pains under my left rib cage, my body and hands cold and hands started turning blue.
Step 4 - explained to the courier my plight. Even showed him the empty bottle and gave him the empty boxes and message to relay to the Chemist that the meds were needed urgently. In the Chemist defence, the courier said maybe you will receive it tomorrow - that’s today.
My carers are now beginning to feel my pain again trying their best to make me as comfortably as they could knowing the pains will keep me awake for the 3rd night running. And expressed their frustration saying this is abuse and they didn’t like what was happening to me and would need to report it to their agency.
Step 5 - Weekend carer came on duty. Her first question was did you receive pain meds? Said No. she was furious. By this time any movement made however small was excruciating.
Telephoned the Chemist. He stated: wait for it: No doctor in that practice wrote up the prescription. None. He said he went there twice but none was given for me! 😳 He went as far as to check his computer system again, still there was none on the system. Said very little he could do and rang off. 😭😭😭😭
My last resort was to press the security alarm button who in turn dialled 111 and the whole procedure of processing carried out for me to receive what’s a routine prescription in order for me to have and be on top of my pain management programme. 😐
Please has anybody had to ever go through this whole shenanigans just to have & maintain your pain management programme?
The Raynauds, Lupus, Hugh’s Syndrome, sympathetic nerve, flare ups are at their highest
Asked 111 clinician for a Lupus specialist who understands Lupus to be contacted. She said there was an on- call doctor who would contact me from SW area. If anything further developed, I should return the call to them. What are they waiting for? For me to keel over and die? This is over 1 1/2 hours ago. Still no call. No meds. What other course of action must I take?
What other means can Lupus UK do besides round table talks with GPs?
I’m truly suffering here and am not the only one. 😭😭
Written by
denden
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I don’t have lupus but I take a drug that has to be ordered in specially.
I have had several problems with repeat prescriptions which are sent electronically to my local pharmacy and then delivered. I’ve even had other GPS refuse to prescribe other regular meds. As it used to take 10 days to get a prescription to the pharmacy, they state a few days. I always made sure that I have plenty of drugs as a backup.
You’re in a difficult situation cos you have run out, hopefully a medic can come and see you and arrange your medication.
I would speak to the practice manager at the surgery and raise a complaint, have you got your medication written up on a letter from the hospital that you can show them. It’s not on, making you feel so stressed about this when you are unwell. Running out of medication when you have done your best to get a repeat and they are just not doing it for you.
Unfortunately, doctors are so busy these days that they don’t have time to look at our notes.
I’ve got my medication sussed now, cos the pharmacy are so good since a new dispenser arrived about a year ago, but if she leaves the company I will be snookered.
Hello MEWS53, have been trying to get things in order but like you said past ridiculous. Moved to new neighbourhood/new GP added to my surgery causing havoc to what was a well managed meds. (Sigh)
Still waiting for the doctor to turn up. Then prescription and then possible finding 24 hour Chemist.
Does anyone know if 24 hour chemist that can deliver maybe as one off meds urgently?
There definitely needs to be some drastic changes.
My heating system is so high now feel as if I’m in the Sahara Desert!
It's such a palaver isn't it? I had another run-around yesterday when trynig to get a follow-on prescription for melatonin. The GP said they couldn't prescribe it without a specialist recommendation, and they hadn't received the report from my neurologist that recommended it - seven weeks after the review. I would therefore have to ring the neurology department and ask them to send the report to the GP and they'd then do a script. So once again, despite holding none of the reports nor the responsibility for communicating between secondary and primary care, I end up having to organsie all this.
Anyway, my surgery has an in-house pharmacist. I often find it useful to ring her as she can access my notes and authorise the community pharmacist to dispense. She's also a good person to speak with to check exactly what meds I have on repeat. Much easier than leaving a message for a GP to ring me back.
Otherwise, I guess it's just a case of using the on-call GP and whichever pharmacy is open. Here's the NHS guide to getting meds out-of-hours nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-bo... Hope this gets sorted pronto x
Hi Whisperit, still no doctor visit or medication. The Chemist spoken of yesterday said meds would not be available until Tuesday. This would be 1 week without meds
I am fortunate in this department, I ran out of steroids and literally had no feelings in my hands, I got to the pharmacist and he gave me some without a prescription. I think his seen me so much that he just knows i need it, which I am so grateful for. When you need your meds you need them ,there has to be something more practical for you . I hope you get sorted xx
Hi Lisalou19 some Chemist are really good that way. Unfortunately for me, am bedbound. My old GP from this practice has retired. Other Chemist has since deceased. Recently Moved to this side and am on the border. Those on the “new” side of the border finds behaviour unbelievably shocking and diabolical but their hands are tied saying I’m not under their jurisdiction 😞
On my “old” side, because of recent developments and Chemist diabolical attitude and behaviour I’m left holding the blade. 😭
Hi am
Just so sorry that you are left in such a state with no medication at all. They all need reporting. I would put it in writing as it’s more effective. I sometimes think it’s to cut down on medication so people just give up. I too have had similar problems. You have tried everything to sort it out so you have to try something else. I would go onto Facebook and tell your story to everyone then get a carer to call every newspaper in the country start with your local paper to have them send a reporter out to you and you can highlight what’s really going on for you and others like you. I would then get the carers to inform the Drs and chemist what’s happening. I can guarantee you will get your medication as I tried this last year and they have been much more supportive ever since. They do not like to be in the spotlight. They have left you with no options. I personally wouldn’t even tell them I would just do it. It will highlight the injustice against vulnerable ill people who are not getting proper care and treatment. Also I would look at changing Drs and chemists too. It may be better than what you are having to deal with. Plus have you thought about getting your medical records from the Drs and chemist that should shake them up 😂. Then they may just realise what they are doing is so wrong. I wish you all the very best in getting this sorted as it’s shocking in this day and age. We are supposed to be living in modern day society and they owe you a duty of care to provide a better service. Take care. Elena
It is good to be proactive - a step always slow to take. Very timid and hate stress because of the knock on effects on my health. Will definitely be taking some course of action come Monday
Our GPS in Edinburgh have an online system where you can order repeat prescriptions. Further the pharmacist has a system whereby you fill in a form for regular meds and they supply 3months worth sorted for the right doses every day. I think it’s experimental but it can be done.
I've had to chase the chemist or gp, depending who was responsible for delays on deliveries, a few times. The chemist was having problems with delivery drivers and since that's been sorted all seems well. Our chemist is next door to the surgery, both moved there to new builds a few years ago.
I order my scripts online these days after trudging to the old surgery for years and years until one day I felt so unwell I asked the man in charge back then if he'd be willing to deliver. I didnt think I qualified being so much younger but to my surprise he said yes of course and they've delivered ever since.
I remember ringing one time chasing a script and when the assistant realised asthma sprays were on the list she was quick to deal with it. I dont know what the problem is at your end denden but couldnt one of your carers go and find out??? or ring the practice and get some answers. I've had gps apologising for problems with prescriptions and admitting it was an admin fault...chase them up!!!! and keep chasing...thats what I did
Ive not read all your post, get in touch with the practise manager at the surgery and tha pharmacist at the chemist. ASK THEM TO GET THERE HEADS TOGETHER AND TO GET YOUR PAIN MEDS AVAILABLE ASAP OR YOU WILL BE WRITING IN TO COMPLAIN. That should do it, sorry you have been left in this predicament.
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