"Repeat prescription change from 3 months to 2..."

Today (07/08/19) at approximately 4:20 pm I visited Woolston Lodge Surgery and had a very unpleasant experience.

My usual repeat prescription was collected on Monday (5th Aug) by my husband, as I work. He took this to our local LLoyds Pharmacy (next door to the surgery), to be filled. To my surprise, I found I was only given 2 months supply (56 tablets), rather than than my usual 3 months supply (84 tablets).

I queued in the pharmacy to question this, they couldn't give me an answer.

I then went in to the doctor's surgery to question this.

I told the Receptionist I had a problem as my repeat prescription showed a 3 month supply but I had been given a 2 month supply. I gave her one of my repeat prescription sheets.

She took the sheet, did not read this, but asked what my medication was. So in front of all the patients waiting I had to state this out loud. Her attitude was of complete disinterest.

I admit that I was rather annoyed at the whole problem, this is my

day off and I work full time. I didn't want to be spending it trying to sort out a problem with medication I have had no option but to take for the whole of my life (since I was 18 in fact).

She disappeared and came back several minutes later to advise that 'We have to comply with regulations from the Southampton CCG. We are only allowed to give 2 month repeat prescriptions'.

She pointed to a paragraph on a newly printed repeat prescription sheet (in my name).

I replied: 'I have to take these pills forever, I'm not going to get better, it isn't something that is going to go away. This is really difficult for me.'

The Receptionist raised her eyebrows. A shrug of the shoulders. 'The CCG says we have to do this.'

I pointed out that this had happened before and my doctor allowed me to have 3 monthly repeat prescriptions given my circumstances.

Silence, another raise of the eyebrows. A slight shrug of the shoulders. 'Well that's it.'

I have had no notification, no warning. Just a changed prescription. The actual paragraph states:

'This is a standard encouraged by Southampton CCG to help balance continuity, compliance, medication review and reducing medicines waste.'

There is no use of 'enforcement'.

The Receptionist was extremely unhelpful and made no attempt to help me or solve the problem, or even accept I had a problem! An offer to make an appointment so I could discuss this with someone would have been useful. An apology about the lack of communication would have helped. I was just made to feel like an inconvenience.

I have never had any problem with the doctor's at this Surgery. However, I can understand the overview rating of 3.5 with front line staff of this calibre.