Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
GP Prescribing protocol in Haringey
The earlier thread about the GP practices in the area reminded me of an issue I've been puzzling over in recent weeks - and I wondered if anyone else had encountered it.
I take medication daily for a physical condition I have for life. Up until now, I've barely thought about it, as I've been given a three month supply every time I've requested my repeat prescription - provided my blood work is up to date.
For the past three months, however, I've only been given a 28 day supply each time - forcing me to go through the process of requesting a new one every month. In my case, I don't have to pay prescription charges because of the medication in question, but I understand I'm very lucky in this respect and that many people on regular drugs still have to pay for each dispensation.
I've approached my surgery twice in writing and once over the phone about this problem now, and have been fobbed off or ignored on each occasion: most recently I was told that the GP would call me on the same day I rang in, but he didn't call. From what I can gather on Twitter, this is a decision that has been made elsewhere, and may be a general policy.
Can this really be how it works now, and are there any other practices in the area doing this to their patients? Is this simply a way to extract more prescription charges out of those who are in the unfortunate position of having a condition that is not exempt from the charges?
If so, I think I'm going to get extremely and very publically angry about it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alison P on
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I get a couple of prescriptions on a repeat basis and still get both on a three month basis (have to pay charges). Having to get it monthly would be really annoying so understand your feelings. What practice are you with, I wonder if that makes a difference? (I'm at the Bridge medical centre).
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Permalink Reply by Abi on
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Fearnlea surgery - they're mostly quite good but this has got my back up. Hope it's just a mistake.
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Permalink Reply by KP on
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I had a 3 month prescription a while ago and I had to get it on a monthly basis
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Permalink Reply by Betty Careless on
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I'm with the Old Surgery and was on a regular repeat prescription which needed to be renewed every 3 months after a blood pressure check. Should have been simple except there appointment booking system is so obtuse that getting the blood pressure check done was really really hard. It was absoloutly possible to get anything at the beginning or end of the day meaning I was regulalrly having to take time off work for blood pressure checks
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Permalink Reply by 0au62mcjc4khe on
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I moved to my present GP just over 3 years ago, and have discussed this with my current lead Partner GP. She usually gives 60 days, but as I was already on a 3 month cycle, so as many products are in 28 or 30 day blister patient packs, we agreed my routine drugs would be prescribed in 84s, 12 weeks.
I monitor my drugs carefully and so I can talk to her at least every 8 - 12 weeks, and she has changed one tablet over the last year. Otherwise, for non repeat drugs it is par for the course. Again cost of drugs does come up, all of mine are generics, I have a document called the British National Formulary, which tells you the exact price. A lot of Generic drugs are way cheaper than the Prescription Charge, which frankly is a rip-off for many items! Each item that is prescribed has a handling charge, so it is in the health services' interest to prescribe on-going drugs quarterly, once the patient's medicine regime is settled. Otherwise if you are prescribed 21 x Penycillin capsules for an infection, then that is more economical for the NHS to give you the exact course of treatment.
But I am but a layman with a book, if you are not happy, talk to your GP, and get a season ticket if you have to pay for more than about 8 prescriptions per year. Check it out; I'm rusty as I no longer have to pay, except for aspirins!
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Someone i know has recently moved to West Green surgery because their last GP was a dangerous incompetent buffon. They say that West Green surgery is the best they've ever experienced (that's really saying something) they even travel a very long way to get there because decent health care is worth the travel and inconvenience. Good luck. http://www.westgreensurgery.co.uk/
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