Repeat prescriptions and seeing doctor

Abbey1991

I have some medication on repeat prescription. The prescription slips show a countdown of how many issues I have remaining available on repeat prescription. When the "issues remaining" shows as 0 there is a message on the slip inviting me to have a medication review.
I then call the surgery to ask if I need to book a medication review, and then they say that they guess I probably do if the slip says so, so they book a medication review with a GP for me.

Then when I have the appointment, the GP looks bored and tells me that I didn't need to book a medication review with her and just tries to get me out of there as quickly as possible.

While I don't want to waste her time, I don't know what the root of this problem is - is it the software which is overcautious? Or is there is a statutory requirement that the GP sees every patient every 6 or 12 months or something? What happens if I don't book the review - can "issues remaining" go into negative?

Thanks

surveyqueenuk

This happens to me too. I've started ringing the surgery and explaining that whilst my meds are up for review, there is no change in my requirements so can they ok it with the doc to save a wasted appointment. They are always happy to do so.

tensandunits_2

What I do is write on my repeat prescription words to the effect of "please can you keep this medication on repeat prescription? The hospital have said I need it for ongoing use" and just post it in the repeat prescription box at the surgery. The doctor then just puts it on repeat again for another few months. I rarely need to ask for a med.review with the doctor, and when I do it's normally just a telephone appointment.


My OH on the other hand, has a medication review about once a year and the doctor takes his blood pressure and orders some blood tests to check everything's ok.


I think it depends on what meds you are taking.

teddysmum

Most pharmacies offer a free service, where they request the drugs you need, collect the script (many do this electronically now) then have the package ready for you to collect ...or deliver to your door.


This way there is no need for a repeat, as they request, on your behalf, each month. Mine is left as 'same every month' unless I call to say that I don't need a particular as a 'one off'.


My green form has a statement that says ' review due on [date]' but the review doesn't seem to happen , as the date is still in January ,but my drugs are for life.

IAmWales

teddysmum wrote: »

Most pharmacies offer a free service, where they request the drugs you need, collect the script (many do this electronically now) then have the package ready for you to collect ...or deliver to your door.


This way there is no need for a repeat, as they request, on your behalf, each month. Mine is left as 'same every month' unless I call to say that I don't need a particular as a 'one off'.


My green form has a statement that says ' review due on [date]' but the review doesn't seem to happen , as the date is still in January ,but my drugs are for life.

That still counts as a repeat, a prescription still needs to be issued. Some pharmacies even call it a repeat prescription service If the GP felt they needed to see you they would not issue the repeat to the pharmacy.

Abbey there is no legal requirement for the GP to see every patient periodically. The GP sets the frequency of reviews, but can choose to reissue without seeing you. If they do insist you see someone do they offer phone consultations? That would be more time effective for you and the doctor.

Ames

I need to have a med review which includes blood tests every year, if I miss it I get text messages and letters reminding me, and warning that my meds will be restricted if I don't make the appointments.

That could just be because of the type/amount of meds I'm on though.

System

Although on my repeat prescription it says a review date I never get called in. I think the Doc must check it over, check on past blood test results and blood pressure readings before shifting the review date.

I did get collared by the pharmacist the other day though. He wanted to make sure I knew what medication I was taking and why I was taking it. Money for old rope I spose but the people outside waiting to see the pharmacist couldn't have been pleased as theres a lot of medication to discuss.

imho

If I don't book a appointment for the review I then only get 1 month supply of my prescription instead of 3 months.

pmduk

I had a medication review this week. For the first time it was conducted by a pharmacist working at the practice.

teddysmum

pmduk wrote: »

I had a medication review this week. For the first time it was conducted by a pharmacist working at the practice.

Ours does that and he is now allocated patients with minor (and not so minor, as abdominal pain, which could be anything is on the list) ailments .

teddysmum

IAmWales wrote: »

That still counts as a repeat, a prescription still needs to be issued. Some pharmacies even call it a repeat prescription service If the GP felt they needed to see you they would not issue the repeat to the pharmacy.

Abbey there is no legal requirement for the GP to see every patient periodically. The GP sets the frequency of reviews, but can choose to reissue without seeing you. If they do insist you see someone do they offer phone consultations? That would be more time effective for you and the doctor.

By 'repeat' I mean the patient doesn't have to periodically ask permission to continue ; the pharmacy sees to that and tells you if there is a problem.