For want of a pill.....

[Cockers43]

I feel I must share this saga (nothing to do with the cruise co)....

Last Monday my wife took her prescription to the doctors surgery with a screed written on it explaining why, because we were on a world cruise, she needed an extra month's supply. The receptionist said come back in a week because a doctor had to look at it - (don't they have to look at all of them ). So we agreed to return in a weeks time.

That brings us to today...
As it is a lovely sunny day we walked the 2 miles to the surgery (can't catch a bus anyway) and asked if the prescription was ready.
We were told no - and that the receptionist would put an urgent request through to our doctor to get it signed today. This surprised us for several reasons not the least being that we were under the impression that the practice operated an "open" policy and you saw any available doctor!

The conversation then went like this...
"Who is our doctor?"
"Dr B****"
"Who's he"
"She is your doctor!"
"Oh - should you not have told us about this?"
Silence.....
"Anyway about the prescription, why does it take so long"
"For special prescriptions you should allow 4 working days"
"But this is the FIFTH!"
More silence.

We were then told to ring back after lunch when it would be ready for collection.

3:30 we rang back and were asked why we rang and didn't we realise the doctors were VERY busy. A further note would be left for someone to ring us when it was ready.

As Val runs out of pills tomorrow I only hope the NHS can GET ITS FINGER OUT before her blood pressure (for which the pills are required) goes through the roof!

[Manoverboard]

Mobietta has to give 2 days notice and does so via an e-mail, any Doctor can sign a repeat prescription unless her own Doctor is in the process of doing a blood test or is making a change to her pills etc. In some cases they even deliver the pills to the village shops for local collection.

You are at the wrong practice

[Meg 50]

we have an arrangement with the local pharmacy whereby I take the repeat request in there and they take it to the GP, collect it and I go back a few days later to collect it. When we were doing a long cruise I requested extras and was so granted.

Last week I went to see the doctor and was given forms by the receptionist that once signed will bypass most of that - I tell the pharmacy my needs, he tells the surgery, gets the ok, and then dispenses - bypasses the paperwork.

there is also an online request facility which I hadn't got round to setting up - won't need to now!

[oldbluefox]

If it wasn't true it would be laughable. Sadly it doesn't surprise me as we all have similar experiences, not just with the NHS but in all walks of life.

We ordered some carpets for fitting tomorrow. My wife called in just to check one or two things...............

'I've come to check everything's in order for tomorrow etc ..................'
'According to my records the carpets have already been fitted'
No, your fitters are coming tomorrow'.
'Well, according to my computer the job's already been done and the invoice is due for paymnet'.
'I can assure you the job has not been done as I have just come from the house and there are no carpets'.
'Well that's what my computer says. Are you sure you have the right branch because the carpets are coming from Workington'.
'Of course I have the right branch. This is where I ordered them'.
'Ah well, it's nothing to do with me. I presume the fitters will be with you about 9.15 tomorrow if that's what you say...................'

Some people are simply unemployable and don't deserve what they get. Perhaps just as well it wasn't I who was stood there............ (especially as my team lost again on Saturday and I've not fully recovered yet!!!)

[Delboy]

I collect mine and my wife's regular prescriptions from the local Pharmacy once a month.
Went today to collect this months prescription for myself, they give me a little card, and on that is the date to collect my next months prescription, which is 6th January 2014. I only have one tablet to collect, on my wife's prescription there are 6 different tablets.

If I want the collection date changed because I am going to be away, or want extra tablets due to the time I am going to be away, then all this is arranged via the pharmacy.

I do have a cream on prescription I use, but this is not on repeat prescription, but whenever I am running out, I can renew the prescription on line direct with the doctors. I complete a form on line, but have to allow 2 days, they then send me notification informing me prescription is at the pharmacy for collection. Have to register for this service on line, we very rarely see the same doctor when visiting the surgery.

Copied this from our Doctors on line site

Order Your Repeat Prescription Online
Repeat Prescriptions

Your doctor may allow your prescriptions to be on a repeat basis. If this is the case the medicines authorised will be printed on the page opposite your actual prescription. When you need a further supply clearly indicate the items required and post or hand in the request to the surgery.

Patients can also email requests to Prescriptions..........

Alternatively you can now order online by following the link at the top of this page. First-time users are required to complete a simple one-off registration.

For your convenience your prescription can be forwarded to the chemist of your choice for collection of dispensed items.

Repeat Dispensing
If you have the same medication month on month with no changes how about trying Repeat Dispensing. This means that we will furnish your chemist with six months of prescriptions and you will just collect them from him on a monthly basis without having to order.

Medication Reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account. Requests sent to the chemist can take a further 2 working days to process.

[Stephen]

I feel I must share this saga (nothing to do with the cruise co)....

Last Monday my wife took her prescription to the doctors surgery with a screed written on it explaining why, because we were on a world cruise, she needed an extra month's supply. The receptionist said come back in a week because a doctor had to look at it - (don't they have to look at all of them ). So we agreed to return in a weeks time.

That brings us to today...
As it is a lovely sunny day we walked the 2 miles to the surgery (can't catch a bus anyway) and asked if the prescription was ready.
We were told no - and that the receptionist would put an urgent request through to our doctor to get it signed today. This surprised us for several reasons not the least being that we were under the impression that the practice operated an "open" policy and you saw any available doctor!

The conversation then went like this...
"Who is our doctor?"
"Dr B****"
"Who's he"
"She is your doctor!"
"Oh - should you not have told us about this?"
Silence.....
"Anyway about the prescription, why does it take so long"
"For special prescriptions you should allow 4 working days"
"But this is the FIFTH!"
More silence.

We were then told to ring back after lunch when it would be ready for collection.

3:30 we rang back and were asked why we rang and didn't we realise the doctors were VERY busy. A further note would be left for someone to ring us when it was ready.

As Val runs out of pills tomorrow I only hope the NHS can GET ITS FINGER OUT before her blood pressure (for which the pills are required) goes through the roof!

I would have insisted they get the practise/pharmacist manager out front for a 'word', followed up with a letter of complaint. I'd have kicked off big time. I've not time for incompetence.

[Cockers43]

Mobietta has to give 2 days notice and does so via an e-mail, any Doctor can sign a repeat prescription unless her own Doctor is in the process of doing a blood test or is making a change to her pills etc. In some cases they even deliver the pills to the village shops for local collection.

You are at the wrong practice

I know that! Have been for years! Still, can't complain, luckily we are both in good health!

What sort of notice does your doctor require for sickness? Ours is generally up to 2 weeks! No wonder A&E are so overloaded. I'll probably go there for my prescriptions next!

By the way, we usually use the pharmacy service, have been doing so for years. We only went to the doctors because of the problem I had had last month when the doctor refused my request for extra pills and never told anyone! Not me or the chemist! I had to speak to a partner (not "my" doctor) and plead with HIM to obtain sufficient pills for the trip.

Little wonder the NHS is in such a mess!

[Delboy]

Mobietta has to give 2 days notice and does so via an e-mail, any Doctor can sign a repeat prescription unless her own Doctor is in the process of doing a blood test or is making a change to her pills etc. In some cases they even deliver the pills to the village shops for local collection.

You are at the wrong practice

What sort of notice does your doctor require for sickness? Ours is generally up to 2 weeks!

We cannot make advance appointments.

We have two half hour periods each day to ring (8 to 8/30am) for same day morning appointment, (2 to 2/30pm) for same day afternoon appointment.

[Manoverboard]

Mobietta has to give 2 days notice and does so via an e-mail, any Doctor can sign a repeat prescription unless her own Doctor is in the process of doing a blood test or is making a change to her pills etc. In some cases they even deliver the pills to the village shops for local collection.

You are at the wrong practice

What sort of notice does your doctor require for sickness? Ours is generally up to 2 weeks!

We cannot make advance appointments.

We have two half hour periods each day to ring (8 to 8/30am) for same day morning appointment, (2 to 2/30pm) for same day afternoon appointment.

Ah, I forgot to mention that we can also make advance appointments if that is our need

[Cockers43]

Delboy,
Sussex isn't that far from Essex - I'm tempted to change to your doctor!

[Silver_Shiney]

I feel I must share this saga (nothing to do with the cruise co)....

Last Monday my wife took her prescription to the doctors surgery with a screed written on it explaining why, because we were on a world cruise, she needed an extra month's supply. The receptionist said come back in a week because a doctor had to look at it - (don't they have to look at all of them ). So we agreed to return in a weeks time.

That brings us to today...
As it is a lovely sunny day we walked the 2 miles to the surgery (can't catch a bus anyway) and asked if the prescription was ready.
We were told no - and that the receptionist would put an urgent request through to our doctor to get it signed today. This surprised us for several reasons not the least being that we were under the impression that the practice operated an "open" policy and you saw any available doctor!

The conversation then went like this...
"Who is our doctor?"
"Dr B****"
"Who's he"
"She is your doctor!"
"Oh - should you not have told us about this?"
Silence.....
"Anyway about the prescription, why does it take so long"
"For special prescriptions you should allow 4 working days"
"But this is the FIFTH!"
More silence.

We were then told to ring back after lunch when it would be ready for collection.

3:30 we rang back and were asked why we rang and didn't we realise the doctors were VERY busy. A further note would be left for someone to ring us when it was ready.

As Val runs out of pills tomorrow I only hope the NHS can GET ITS FINGER OUT before her blood pressure (for which the pills are required) goes through the roof!

I would have insisted they get the practise/pharmacist manager out front for a 'word', followed up with a letter of complaint. I'd have kicked off big time. I've not time for incompetence.

Me too. I would also be expecting the prescription to be delivered to my door.

[Dark Knight]

I cannot fault our local health service
I went to see my consultant last Friday: by the time I left 75 minutes later, blood test had been taken, schedule for new treatment, explained and organised, chest x ray organised and I had a brief introduction to my new out of hours nurse
The X ray dept rang me Friday, to say I did not need to wait till the 12th for n Xray and if I popped in today they would sort me out
so I duly arrived at the Xray dept at 0840 this AM and by 08.50 , my Xray was done and I was on my way home

Can't fault service like that

[Manoverboard]

Did they show you the X-Rays ?

[Dark Knight]

yep

I have bones and all sorts of other stuff in there
but they didn't find a heart

[Manoverboard]

If they did show you the results there and then then that is to be applauded ...

[Jan Rosser]

yep

I have bones and all sorts of other stuff in there
but they didn't find a heart

You'll have to change your name to the Tin Man (Wizard of Oz)

[Quizzical Bob]

I order my repeats online. It says a visit.

[Dark Knight]

Moby
the X ray took about 2 minutes , it was to see if I had had TB or not
they checked the x ray to see if it was okay and showed me it on a screen saying I was all clear for TB

I could not believe the speed of the whole visit , very professional

[Silver_Shiney]

Moby
the X ray took about 2 minutes , it was to see if I had had TB or not
they checked the x ray to see if it was okay and showed me it on a screen saying I was all clear for TB

I could not believe the speed of the whole visit , very professional

It certainly was.

Glad to know you're okay!

[Manoverboard]

Moby
the X ray took about 2 minutes , it was to see if I had had TB or not
they checked the x ray to see if it was okay and showed me it on a screen saying I was all clear for TB

I could not believe the speed of the whole visit , very professional

Then .... that is service of the highest order.

Not so long ago such things only happened if you went as a Private patient.

Glad you got the all clear re TB

[Dark Knight]

Moby
I was amazed, honestly

the only thing that annoyed me was I had paid for about 4 hours in the car park and was out in less than 15...bugger

[Quizzical Bob]

Moby
I was amazed, honestly

the only thing that annoyed me was I had paid for about 4 hours in the car park and was out in less than 15...bug*er

Fret ye not, DK, nearly half of your parking fee will go to the hospital.

[oldbluefox]

Moby
I was amazed, honestly

the only thing that annoyed me was I had paid for about 4 hours in the car park and was out in less than 15...bug*er

Did you not pass your ticket on to somebody parking up who may have been less fortunate? (Good deed for the day and all that)

Good news about your test though.

[Dark Knight]

OBF
I did. to a rather nice yummy mummy

[Meg 50]

Moby
I was amazed, honestly

the only thing that annoyed me was I had paid for about 4 hours in the car park and was out in less than 15...bug*er

I was sent for an ECG a couple of weeks ago. Was in and out in a brace of shakes!

OH commented he was glad I wasn't a couple of minutes quicker cos he would have been peeved to have paid for paid for an hour rather than 15 mins!