so cross at problems with the nhs today

[elliejjtiny]

I don't know the solution or even if there is one but I need a rant.

We have had issues with repeat prescriptions not being ready on time recently. It happens on the automatic system so either the dr surgery computer or the pharmacy computer somehow knows when we need meds and hopefully gets them to the pharmacy on time. So many times recently it's gone wrong because either the dr surgery or the pharmacy are short staffed because of people being off with covid. In our house this is a massive pain if DH doesn't get his sleeping pills or DS doesn't get his bedwetting meds for a couple of days but not life threatening.

But today my Grandad could have died because he didn't have his pills that stop him having a heart attack. He didn't want to make a fuss like many elderly people so he waited until he needed a and e before telling anyone. He's ok now and got his meds but it's ridiculous that he has survived a world war, cancer, heart attack, covid etc and then nearly died because someone couldn't get his meds ordered and dispensed at the right time. I bet he's not the only one who has ended up in a and e because meds weren't dispensed in time or the gp didn't have any appointments. It's just so needless when if the drs surgerys and the pharmacies were working properly there would be less pressure on a and e and less ambulances queuing up at the door.

I get you. And I sway massively between being so so grateful and so so annoyed!

yesterday I found someone almost dead on the road and the ambulance was here in 3 mins. I was in awe at how he was gunna get treated (and hopefully be okay) for free and how damn responsive the ambulance service was.

then other times I’m like fighting to get my clients in the doctors for weeks for something not a&e worthy but could well turn into!

Can you pick the prescription up from the GP and take it to the chemist instead ?

I was told all local pharmacies are short staffed so the pick up times for prescriptions are significantly longer. I now pick mine directly from GP.

I use a pharmacy delivery company. They email me and text me when I am due to order my meds, I click the link then press request medications the prescription gets approved and is generally with me in around five working days
Would never go back to using a local pharmacy for my regular medication again.
I do have to remember to ask the GP to send them locally if it's a short term prescription though.

I order my repeats directly from my pharmacy, they order from the gp. It isn't automatic though. I wouldn't trust any nhs computer system to be that good.

Is is annoying.

It happens a lot with our pharmacy but they will give out a few days worth of medication to tide you over while it gets sorted - is that something your pharmacist will do?

If you use Boots switch - I've had nothing but problems for months. Dp uses Lloyds online which haven't been late though been very close. Our boots hasn't had a pharmacist since Christmas so just use locums - as they are the designated out of hours pharmacy for the north of the county it's particularly difficult if you have a late appointment or an emergency, it's hit or miss if they are open in the evening (meant to be until 11pm).

By the way it very much isn't my gp, they authorise within 48 hours, it's boots here

Seriously I really do recommend using this service, it has totally removed the headache that getting prescriptions issued can be:
www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/

The whole situation is awful. No wonder hospitals are struggling so much when so many people end up there because of failures from GPS and pharmacies. I’d put in a complaint with the surgery just so that all these problems are properly acknowledged and documented.