My prescription medicine had run out, so I requested a repeat prescription through Patient Access. Knowing that it would take at least 48 hrs before I could collect the prescription, I went to the pharmacy and explained the situation. The pharmacist kindly let me have, two weeks supply 'on account'.
A few days later my husband was passing the pharmacy and I asked him to pick up the prescription for me. He was told that there was no medication for me. I asked him if the staff had asked for my date of birth, which I assumed that he had got wrong, so a few days later I returned to the pharmacy myself only to find that my medication had not arrived there.
I went back to Patient Access only to discover that my request for a repeat prescription had been rejected, with no further information or reason why it had been rejected. I tried to ring the surgery, but got a recorded message asking me to go on line to ask my GP.
back to the computer I asked why my request had been refused. Some time later the reply came 'you need to have a blood pressure test and a blood test'.
I went to the surgery and made an appointment. When I went to the appointment I found that it was for the 'Blood Clinic', where the blood tests were taken. I asked the health care worker if they could also take my blood pressure, to which the reply was that this was the blood clinic and I only had a 5 minute appointment so they didn't have time to take my blood Pressure.
I went back to the reception desk, explained the situation and asked if someone could take my blood pressure whilst I was here. The receptionist said No! I asked if they could make me another appointment for a blood pressure test, explaining that it was important, as I could not get my regular medication until I had this done. As luck would have it another member of the reception team was passing, who told me that there was a self check machine in an alcove just of the waiting room.
Several days later I received a letter from the practice say in that I should have another blood test in 2 months time, and a referral form had been left for me in reception.
Back to the surgery, where the form was waiting for me, but when I asked if my prescription could now be collected, as I had had the required tests I was told that I would have to make another request. This done I asked why I had not been informed that I needed the tests before my prescription was renewed and was told that a doctor would have texted me. I explained that I didn't have a mobile phone and didn't believe that my landline could receive texts, and was told that a doctor would have phoned me. I had no such call, nor have I had one subsequently. Fortunately my second request for a repeat prescription was eventually granted, just before my 'on account' drugs ran out.
Thank Heavens for my local pharmacist!
"Request for repeat prescription."
About: Lower Clapton Group Practice Lower Clapton Group Practice Clapton E5 0PQ https://www.lowerclapton.nhs.uk/
Posted by MFS (as ),
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