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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that government cutbacks shouldn't start affecting medicine/prescriptions for children?!

99 replies

StaM · 17/12/2012 10:53

My child has had a throat infection since Friday. I've been giving her Calpol over the weekend; it's had little affect whatsoever.

So today i popped into my local GP and asked at reception for a prescription. The receptionist said my dd might not get one because of all the cutbacks. She then said i might be lucky because Dr. Stuart (made up name) is in, and he's normally good with prescriptions.

I honestly thought she was joking.

Is this a new thing. Are the NHS seriously making cuts in prescriptions for children now?

Totally disgusting.

OP posts:
MrsKeithRichards · 17/12/2012 10:58

Just buy some, you get sachets in the pound shop. Less hassle.

Original poster
StaM · 17/12/2012 10:59

*effect. Hate getting those two mixed up Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
StaM · 17/12/2012 10:59

Buy an antibiotic? It's a prescription from a doctor she needs. And they said she might not get one because of cutbacks.

OP posts:
Jingleflobba · 17/12/2012 11:03

Not heard this at all and I feel like I've been living there recently...
In fact my GP always makes sure we're stocked up with paracetamol to go with the antibiotics they prescribe so sometimes they're doing double prescriptions and costing the nhs more.

MrsKeithRichards · 17/12/2012 11:03

You didn't mention antibiotics.

Lesbeadiva · 17/12/2012 11:05

Are you sure she needs antibiotics? They don't give them out for sore throats. My children have both had a rather nasty bug going around.

WelshMaenad · 17/12/2012 11:05

Sorry, we're you asking for a prescription for calpol or for an antibiotic?

Why would a doctor issue prescriptions willy nilly for sntibiotics for a child without examining it? Are you a doctor yourself? How do you know she needs antibiotics?

AllSnowballsAndNoKnickers · 17/12/2012 11:07

Anyway - it might be a cut back in the wholesale prescription of antibiotics. Keep using them for ailments that don't need them and before you know it they won't work on anything.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 17/12/2012 11:07

How do you know she needs antibiotics?

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 17/12/2012 11:09

Surely you would need an appointment to get antibiotics?

Any GP who hands out antibiotic scripts without seeing patients is a fool on several counts. Overuse of antibiotics leading to reduced effectiveness, and all the costs come off their bottom line!

chandellina · 17/12/2012 11:10

It sounds to me like they thought you want more calpol on prescription.

Or they may prefer not to give out antibiotics like candy, since they usually aren't actually necessary.

Original poster
StaM · 17/12/2012 11:10

For an antibiotic. Wasn't aware you can get Calpol on prescrption.

My daughter suffers from recurrring tonsillitis. This is the exact same infection she had two months which she was given an antibiotic for.

Our GP's don't normally see people with no appointments. So you've to phone or go in to the reception, tell them your symptoms, and they forward it on to GP, who in turn writes a prescription. I didn't push for an appointment because she gets it all the time, and i know what it is.

I just couldn't believe she said my dd might not get one because of the cutbacks. I didn't realise that was even legal. Depriving a child of medicine.

OP posts:
AnneTwacky · 17/12/2012 11:13

My DD got anti biotics for a throat infection a couple of weeks back.

I don't think you would get them though unless your dc had actually been in to see the gp and they'd diagnosed a throat infection.

MrsKeithRichards · 17/12/2012 11:13

Don't practises manage their own budgets? It's not the government saying to antibiotics. I'm sure She'll get what she needs

shesariver · 17/12/2012 11:21

If the infection is caused by a virus then antibiotics would be pointless as they only work on bacterial infections. I think the receptionist may have been referring to calpol, there is now way if anyone needed a medicine on prescription they wouldnt get it, cutbacks or no cutbacks. We can get medicine like calpol on direct care from our local pharmacy as well, where the pharmacist prescribes it and it doesnt cost.

Original poster
StaM · 17/12/2012 11:23

No, Anne.

Because my daughter has recurring tonsillitis every few months, they don't need to see her every time. It's on her records, so i just call up and they normally prescribe her an antibiotic no problem. But today is the first i heard she might not get one.

My Gp's normally give out prescriptions without seeing patients, if symptoms are told to receptionist over the phone. Sometimes they'll ask for the patient to come in though, but i can't imagine there's enough hours in thr day to do this with every person? I would have thought this normal?

OP posts:
bradywasmyfavouritewiseman · 17/12/2012 11:27

My Gp's normally give out prescriptions without seeing patients

That's probably why they are trying to cutback.

MrsMiniversCharlady · 17/12/2012 11:27

Calm down. It was probably only the receptionist giving her opinion. Save yourself some stress and wait until the doctor has actually told you that you can't have one before getting in a stew about it.

PoppyPrincess · 17/12/2012 11:29

They have to see you before giving out anti biotics, a sore throat doesn't necessarily mean there's an infection, if it was just a virus causing it then anti biotics wouldn't help.
From your post you made it sound like it was calpol you needed a prescription for, maybe the receptionist misunderstood you too, they are cutting back on giving prescriptions for things you can buy over the counter.
I'm sure if anybody (adult or child) genuinely needs anti biotics then they'll prescribe them.
Sounds like a misunderstanding to me.

perceptionInaPearTree · 17/12/2012 11:32

The receptionist sounds very unprofessional.

I have not heard anything about free treatment for children being discontinued.

MrsKeithRichards · 17/12/2012 11:32

I can't believe you don't need to at least speak directly to a gp or practise nurse.

Bananapickle · 17/12/2012 11:34

The NHS is not cutting back in this way - if your child needs a prescription she will get one. Who knows what the receptionist was talking about. At our surgery you can't get a prescription for a child without seeing a doctor so maybe your doctors have changed their policy on giving out perscriptions.

WeWilsonAMerryChristmas · 17/12/2012 11:35

I thought your OP referred to Calpol - fair enough!

However, you won't not get a prescription for antibiotics due to cutbacks, she's talking through her bum. You may not get one due to the fact that it may not be necessary. I am Shock that a surgery will had out scripts without seeing someone to be honest!

MsElleTow · 17/12/2012 11:38

I doubt very much that a doctor is not giving a child who genuinely needs antibiotics a prescription because of cutbacks!

If I were you, I would stop giving my DC antibiotics so regularly, as well, because she is likely to become resistant to them!

PoppyPrincess · 17/12/2012 11:47

Fwiw I don't think I've ever come across a dr's receptionist who actually knows what they're doing or what they're talking about. I think the list of criteria for the job is...

  • must be able to make a good brew
  • must be able to engage in long conversations with colleagues about utter crap whilst ignoring waiting patients at the desk
  • must be able to hold the phone between chin and shoulder so can stuff face with chocolates/cream cakes/sweets through out the day
  • being able to read the time is preferred but not essential
  • people skills are not required

Honestly they make me so mad. I swear at my dr's there's more women stood around doing nothing receptionists than there are doctors and nurses.