"Medication Reviews"

My husband and I are not happy about the way medication reviews are conducted without having the opportunity to discuss changes with a GP.

It seems that changes are being made just as a matter of course.

Recently, my husband had to come in for a review and had two lots of his medication changed, although he was perfectly fine on the medication he was taking.

However, since the changes have been made he has suffered several side effects.

He has since consulted with the doctor, who told him that he should not have had two medications changed at the same time because it makes the process of identifying which drug is causing the side effects more difficult.

He has been told by the doctor to eliminate one and he is still having side effects, which have worsened his condition.

I have also had my medication dosage reduced and luckily not experienced any side effects or worsening of my condition but I did not have the opportunity to discuss with a GP.

I know from talking to other patients at this practice that changes are being made and causing problems or people are not getting the medication they require and this is not good enough patient care.

Why can't the reviews be conducted by the GP?

In future reviews we shall refuse a change in medication until this has been discussed with the GP.