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So, last time I checked in with my doctor, I was supposed to stay on my anti-depressants for 6 months, then review coming off them.
Last Thursday I dropped a repeat prescription in at the surgery, and dropped by on the way into work to pick it up today. Instead of a prescription, I was handed my request note back with 'Needs review with doctor' scribbled across the top of it.
When I pointed out to the receptionist that these are important meds that I'm under strict instructions NOT to stop taking – and that I'd just about run out – she huffed and puffed a bit and finally went into get a doctor to prescribe them for me. Very reluctantly, as if she was doing me a huge favour. And then refused to hand the prescription over until I made a review appointment that according to my original doctor I'm not due for another two months.
It was just completely unbelievable. Mine are a common enough type of AD, and they're well known to have serious side effects if you suddenly stop taking them, even for a few days. So a GP/receptionist flat refusing a repeat prescription for them is mind-boggling. What's more, the surgery has full contact info for me, so somebody could have called me last week if there was any kind of problem with prescribing them.
Still absolutely furious. Now wondering whether to put in a formal complaint.
(This, ironically, came after pub discussions yesterday about while the NHS is a great institution and should be protected, that doesn't mean that there aren't some bits that are rubbish and in need of massive improvements. Jobsworth receptionists – as I'm pretty sure that's where the problem was – are probably pretty near the top of that list for me right now...)
Last Thursday I dropped a repeat prescription in at the surgery, and dropped by on the way into work to pick it up today. Instead of a prescription, I was handed my request note back with 'Needs review with doctor' scribbled across the top of it.
When I pointed out to the receptionist that these are important meds that I'm under strict instructions NOT to stop taking – and that I'd just about run out – she huffed and puffed a bit and finally went into get a doctor to prescribe them for me. Very reluctantly, as if she was doing me a huge favour. And then refused to hand the prescription over until I made a review appointment that according to my original doctor I'm not due for another two months.
It was just completely unbelievable. Mine are a common enough type of AD, and they're well known to have serious side effects if you suddenly stop taking them, even for a few days. So a GP/receptionist flat refusing a repeat prescription for them is mind-boggling. What's more, the surgery has full contact info for me, so somebody could have called me last week if there was any kind of problem with prescribing them.
Still absolutely furious. Now wondering whether to put in a formal complaint.
(This, ironically, came after pub discussions yesterday about while the NHS is a great institution and should be protected, that doesn't mean that there aren't some bits that are rubbish and in need of massive improvements. Jobsworth receptionists – as I'm pretty sure that's where the problem was – are probably pretty near the top of that list for me right now...)
