Trouble accessing GP services in London

[animalculous]

Ds1 has adhd and gad and is having a great deal of difficulty obtaining his repeat prescriptions. He's actually had to stop his Ritalin because he can't deal with the problems involved in getting a prescription. He's on two other anxiety meds, which are non complicated and totally mainstream, but the surgery app is no longer working and his email requests are ignored. He can't get through on the phone either. He's regularly running out of meds and works full time and can't get to the surgery. He had to phone 111 today to get an emergency script. He's having to do this regularly now. I've even had to send him some of my meds (the same meds) down in the post, next day delivery. He will literally receive a message either refusing them or saying it's been done and it hasn't. Either that, or the script is sent to the wrong pharmacy.

A few years ago I saw something online about an NHS online GP service for Londoners and I was wondering if anyone knows anything about this and if it's still going. Any information gratefully received.

A small rant. If the sodding government want disabled people to work, they have to understand that, for some of us, we can't do this without medication and it should be a basic human right to get a repeat prescription. My own GP surgery failed to do my repeat this week for my antidepressant and the same happens to ds2. They're taking the piss.

Has he tried using the NHS app? If his medication is on repeats he should be able to
order through there.

Really sorry. I didn’t read the end bit properly. NHS app might not help.

Yip, they ignore it.

I offered to pay for pushdoctor for him, but don't know if it can be used for something like this. How are people managing?

It might not be issued as he’s due a review. People on ADHD meds need regular weight, BP and possibly an annual ECG doing.

They should tell him that though. Can he speak to someone or email the practice manager?

Also ADHD meds aren’t always issued on repeat as they may remain on an acute prescription, and need regular review if prescribed under a shared care agreement.

Maybe the easiest option might be to change NHS GP surgeries as it sounds like the problem is with his actual surgery. There was a shortage of Ritalin (or rather, methylphenidate) for many months in London but that seems to have finally been resolved a couple of months ago as I no longer have issues getting mine.

I’m a Londoner (with ADHD) but have never heard of an online NHS GP service for Londoners.

If he has evidence of his repeat prescription, he could try setting up an online account with Boots or similar as most of the online pharmacies will request a repeat prescription from your GP on your behalf these days but it may not be this simple with methylphenidate being a controlled drug so subject to extra checks.

When he's asked for a review they tell him there's no appointments. Either that or they don't answer the phone. I know he did used to get his weight and bp done.

@Sidge makes a very good point re him being due a review. My GP surgery declines repeat prescription requests with no explanation when I’m due an annual review (in this instance, for my asthma). I only find out this is why when I ring up and have a strop. Apparently my psychic powers fail me.

I've messaged him to ask if this is what's happening.

Has he complained to the practice manager?

No he hasn't. I've told him he should write to them or change surgeries.

GP may not be willing to precribe ADHD meds as needs a shared care arrangement.

To be frank, it sounds like he needs to throw his weight around with his current surgery. It’s London, having a strop and getting the arse is often required when you need to get things done on the NHS. Sad but true. Try charm first of course but when that fails, foot stamping is needed.

Was his ADHD diagnosed on the NHS or is he under a shared care agreement? When was his last review with his psychiatrist?

He doesn't see a psychiatrist. He was diagnosed privately when he was eight then again as an adult under psychiatry uk by a consultant who works for the nhs. They accepted his diagnosis and were prescribing the Ritalin.

He's definitely not one of these Instagram adhders who've diagnosed themselves. He is badly affected, but mamages to cope after a fashion. He has significant problems though and chronic gad.

He may benefit from going into a local pharmacy and having a chat with the pharmacist he usually gets his prescriptions from.

They are typically better than GP practises on identifying what the issues are, and knowing which are easier to deal with for specific topics.

I think you are talking about GP At Hand who provide an NHS service. They have a bunch of physical clinics around London and you have to live within reach of one of those to be eligible for the service.

I used them until recently and found them pretty good. However they are not making the profit they wanted from their NHS contract and are scaling services back

So it sounds like he has a shared care agreement if his GP has been prescribing his meds. An annual review is usually required by a psychiatrist (ie ADHD specialist) for shared care agreements for ADHD meds so it sounds quite possible that this may be overdue and that’s why he’s not being prescribed his meds. But as an adult, he needs to drive this conversation with his GP surgery to find out if this is the case.