"Patients unable to contribute to care and…"

The practice uses an online system for appointments - I actually really like this, as it allows all patients to have their issues considered by a GP, and not a ‘first come, first serve’ like the usual call at 08:00.

The issue I have, is that the online system doesn’t allow patients to be involved in deciding their care and treatment. This has happened to me twice now, where a doctor has responded stating they will prescribe X and they do not allow patients to reply to this. This removes all patient choice in the care they receive (they actually prescribed me a medication I’m unable to have, and I had to start a new online request to inform them they would have to send a new prescription to the pharmacy).

I like the online system, but it should allow for people to ask questions about different options, understand side effects and collaborate with their GP about the best course of treatment for them, rather than just having to accept what the GP has said. It seems in reality the system is being used to get rid of people as quick as possible.