Been summoned to doctors with symptoms of cold!

[Caramelblonde]

Hi there,thoughts on this please.Doctor is withholding my repeat prescription unless I go to surgery today for review.I have cold symptoms,auto immune disease and run out of meds now.

You're being a bit daft, just go and wash your hands after.

Just go, keep your distance from other people so that you don't give them your cold then wash your hands after.

I had to go today to get my checks done before issuing. Fine, was expecting it.

Got there, GP asked what the problem was and then proceeded to tell me my prescription was at reception and had been signed by the dispensing nurse yesterday so no need to see her at all.

if you have told them that you have cold symptoms, and they still want you to go in, then that decision is on their shoulders, however ill advised it may be. If you have recently travelled to affected areas, or been in contact with those that have, or who have the virus, then do all you can to avoid contact with other people (sit/stand to one side whilst waiting) and seek the GP's advice as to whether you should be tested.

I’m not sure what you want to report them for? They need to review medication.

Med reviews are normal. It either tells me on my prescription or on my online ordering section.

My citalopram is reviewed yearly.

I think they’ve done quite well to fit you in quickly despite the pressure surgeries are under.

I went to gp with shingles once. I informed them before hand and they put me in a private waiting room. I'm sure they could do the same, or they may even do it over the phone.

Stop panicking.

The first symptom is a fever.

If you don't have a fever, you just have a cold.

@inwood I’m glad my GP surgery doesn’t waste appointments like that where they could be seeing actually ill patients.

I’ve literally never had a “med review”.

Advice is not to go IF you have travelled from an affected country.
GP is entirely reasonable asking for a review.
You sound put out .

gingersausage depending on what meds you're on, that could be negligent, as doctors are required to at least clap eyes on everyone who is on regular medication at least once a year (unless it's stuff like hayfever meds or moisturiser for eczema). However it's possible that you have attended for other things and that has been counted as a medication review.

I’ve literally never had a “med review”

I thought repeat prescriptions were reviewed every year, is that not normal practice?

It does really depend OP, if it's a controlled drug or you require review for you safety, they are bound by policy if you require your BP checked first, weight taken, bloods checked etc. My meds say the date I'll need a review on my repeat prescription form as I assume is standard.

If you are concerned you are carrying coronavirus or 'the start' of it etc why have you not called 111 to be tested?

Touch as little as possible, use hand sanitizer, don't touch your face, wash when you get home. All you can do otherwise is call and say you are too unwell to attend or are 'self isolating' which ultimately is what you are doing if you are suggesting it isnt safe to go out to the GP.

I'm immune compromised and haven't been given or seen any advice to 'go nowhere near the GP or hospital'. Only the general online advice to avoid crowded areas and use common sense and judgement. I've moved a couple of non urgent hospital appointments as it seemed wise but will have to attend for infusions or get medication or I'd be very ill anyway so it's a bit irrelevant IMO.

I’m glad my GP surgery doesn’t waste appointments like that where they could be seeing actually ill patients.

I’ve literally never had a “med review”.

Medication reviews are absolutely not a waste of appointments - in some situations it would be negligent not to have regular reviews.

Doctors need to be sure that medication is still working properly and that the user is not struggling with anything untoward before continuing to issue a regular prescription.

I have to go every 6 months to get my medication reviewed and reissued.

Don't see any issue with it.

gingersausage it will depend on what medications you are on as to whether you need a review, how often, and how that should take place.

There are many reasons why a review with the patient is necessary - a long term health condition (are the meds working, are there side effects, are there now better treatment options?) medication that can lead to long term dependence, medication that can only be taken for a certain period of time, and so on.

Your GP may well be reviewing your medication periodically, but your particular medication and/or condition may mean that you don't need to be there. For other more complex situations the patient may need to be present.

I am dreading this scenario. I am immunosuppressed and have my medication review this month. I cannot stop my drugs without the risk of dying.
The last time I had to go to the GP it was because they wouldn't prescribe my ABx for a severe bacterial infection without a face to face appointment, even though my consultant had faxed and emailed all my test results and the required treatment to the surgery. I had to sit and wait in a packed waiting room for 45 minutes. I sat as far away from everyone as possible, I still picked up a virus.
If you are immunosuppressed it is a nightmare.
That, on top of my existing infection, nearly put me in hospital.

As a PP said, corona isn't the same as a cold. Go to the appointment.

@endofthelinefinally - that sounds extremely stressful, however surely secondary care (your consultant) should have prescribed the needed treatment not the GP (e.g. via the hospital pharmacy) as they ordered the tests and are therefore medicolegally responsible for acting on the results? This would also have prevented the situation.

Is your medication to suppress your immune system to treat your autoimmune disease?

You may fall into a category that needs to stop them temporarily if you’re sick. I imagine GP’s are being especially vigilant at the moment since you need your immune system working to fight off viruses. Same reason you have to keep your vaccines up to date and make sure you’re up to date with any live vaccines before you start the medication.

Even if the above is not the case your GP will not take the decision to call you in lightly (even in normal circumstances). They’re trying to do their jobs and keep you healthy, there’s no need to go on the defensive and berate them for doing that.

If you think you have corona virus, the advice is to ring 111.

There are signs on our local gps advising you not to enter, but to go home and ring 111.

Also, he/she is not withholding your medication. You have an appointment today. The gp can issue you with a prescription then.

Also, why have you waited until you run out to reorder your meds? Our surgery likes a week notice, or at least a couple of days. It’s not their fault you have left it to the last minute. Also, our surgery will usually issue you with enough meds to cover you until the review date.

Goodness, I'm on morphine patches and co-codamol together and I'm lucky to get a review, I usually have to beg for one then take a half day off work because it's always at an inconvenient time.
I had one the other day and this was at my request. I do think it's important as this time I've been referred for surgery as well as a prescription.

I am surprised they won’t do it over the telephone to be honest. Double check with the receptionist. If this is the only reason they want to see you then I’m sure your GP would prefer to do it on the phone too. DOI: I am a GP.

The consultant just didn't want me trailing miles to the hospital and hanging around in the hospital pharmacy. I completely understand that he thought it would be a case of picking up a Px. I am on methotrexate and have pretty good shared care arrangements with GP, so I suppose he thought he was helping by sending the pathology results and everything over.

Could you not ask for a phone appointment?

Sometimes due to ongoing conditions I cannot make it in and they will grant me a phone appointment instead.