Getting a repeat prescription

ShaunInLeeds

I don't go to the docs very often but this week I had to go in. So I got my prescription and then like a twonk managed to knock the bottle of stuff I got over when I got home......

So I rang up to organise a repeat prescription to get some more and was told I had to do it in person only.

What difference does it make if I do it over the phone or in person????

Now I'm having to go 3 miles out of my way after work hoping to get down there before they close, and then wait days for the prescription anyway!

Is anybody elses surgery like this or is it nhs practice these days?

candygirl

No I can do it over the phone:D:D

fluffnutter

I reorder my prescriptions online. I have to collect the actual script and take it to the chemist (although chemists do run their own service to collect from the surgery). But at some point I have to physically get involved - they don't deliver to my door!

However, this is only for the drugs where it says 'You may reorder X number more' (check your prescription). Some drugs e.g. antibiotics, where you'd only expect a single script at a time will be a bit more complicated and you'd possibly have to see the doctor again.

kathy206

It depends what the script is for. Antidepressants, some blood pressure meds, sleepers, strong painkillers and opiate withdrawal meds need close monitoring.
Is this really worth moaning about for the sake of a few minutes out of your day? You knocked the stuff over (accident I know but that's not your GP's fault;) ) If it's oramorph, methadone or something like that I can well understand the surgery being a bit cagey.Not suggesting that it is for a minute mind, just using these as an example.:)

Peanuckle

I order all our repeat prescriptions by email and collect them from the chemist, if an item needs renewing or the doctor wants to discuss it then a note is put on the slip and the chemist pops it in with the meds. If for some reason I need to order scripts earlier then 4 weeks since the last then I do have to go into the surgery to do it, but I think that's mainly because some of them are controlled drugs and they have to ensure that the early script is for a valid reason.

Could be that because it was for an item recently prescribed they want to check why you need double the amount?

Aginoth

I can do mine over the internet, then the surgery faxes the script over to my local pharmacy for collection. has been a brilliant addition to my GP's Services

giraffe69

My surgery has an online service which enables you to order repeats online. You can't phone and ask. The only alternative is to visit. They don't fax the pharmacist so you have to pick it up. It's better than what went before but not very convenient for those who are busy or less mobile.
I think the reasons for this variant or the other inconvenient ones are not for the most part to do with safety and checking but because GP surgeries do not regard their patients as particularly important. We don't pay(directly) and we can be treated more or less anyway the surgery practice wishes. No business dependent on attracting custom would succeed using the model beloved by many surgeries. They only do so because of the essentially captive markets that they have coupled with the fact that many who have to deal with them are not feeling at their best and aware that daring to argue could result in being struck off the list.

~Beanie~

I had a disagreement with the receptionist at my doctors over the same thing last week.

Every 3 months I phone and ask for another prescription of my contraceptive pill. No problem, pop to the Drs 2 days later to collect it. This week I was told that I had to jot down what I wanted on a bit of paper along with my name and address and take it into Reception, then go back 2 days later and collect the script.

I asked how long this had been in effect, the receptionist said 'since always'. Not in the 3 years I've been having the pill it hasn't! She wasn't prepared to do it over the phone and you can't do it online at our Docs so that meant 2 trips to the surgery instead of 1 :mad:

barbiedoll

My GP insists on personal applications for repeat prescriptions, they say that some patients will get multiple prescriptions and sell them on! :eek:

Our local pharmacy has a re-ordering service but that is only for recurrent medication, stuff that is designed to be taken long-term. They wouldn't be able to do it for antibiotics or for stuff that needs reviewing at certain intervals, such as blood pressure meds, contraceptive pills (because you are supposed to have BP checks every six months), and so on but they would for skin creams, asthma meds, insulin and the like.

It's a pain, I know!