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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think it's the GP's system that is wrong, not me?

23 replies

spookysal · 17/12/2012 13:29

We are only allowed one inhaler a month in our surgery. If you put in a repeat prescription too early, they simply will not sign it.

I have been ill this month, and all bugs/viruses go straight to my chest and make me more wheezy esp. at night, so I've been using more of my blue inhaler.

I ran out on the 7th but wasn't due a new one till the 9th, so spent two days using dd2's inhalers (which isn't ideal because when hers runs out they will want to know why she has used her so quickly)

I phoned up on the 9th to get a phone appointment with the doctor. They try to deal with most things over the phone if possible as it's a busy practice. But I was told not to bother the doctor, just to pop in and they would request an inhaler for me. I knew this would cause problems as you have to wait 48 for a repeat prescription to be signed but the receptionist on the phone told me it would be fine.

So I popped in and requested a new inhaler. And yep, it caused massive problems.

I was told I would have to wait 48hrs for a repeat to signed. I explained I knew the repeat prescription policy, I had phoned in the morning to speak to the doctor as I had run out due to being ill. Receptionist (a different one I think) told me that the doctor wouldn't have dealt with me anyway just for an inhaler.

I said shall I just go home and die of an asthma attack then? Not a great thing to say I know, but I had just done as I was asked (waited the full month and also phoned first thing in the morning to speak to the doctor and then popped in as told to do) She said I should have put the prescription in 48hrs earlier, I explained I had done that before and it hadn't been signed as I was told it had to be put in a month to the day exactly. I was then told to go and wait in the waiting room. So me and the dc waited ages in the waiting room, I went back in and was given a prescription which wasn't signed but was told it would be ok to put in the pharmacy attached to the doctors. I said thank you and went to leave but a nurse said 'you will have to wait 48hrs next time'. We won't do that again. As if she was doing me a favour and I was the one in the wrong. I told her that it's the system that is wrong, I didn exactly as I was asked and if you have to wait a month for an inhaler they should issue it at the end of that month, not make you wait another 48hrs for a repeat prescription rule. She walked off saying 'we just work here, we just get paid, we don't make the rules. Which is a fair point but why don't they listen to the problem instead of shouting your business around the reception for all to hear.

And also what constitutes a 'month'? I've been told by one person t it has be the exact day ie 9th October so next one 9th Dec. Now I've also been told by the last nurse that I spoke to that it just has to be a 'different month' so I could put one in on October 31st and collect another on the 1st Nov????

AIBU to think they don't even know the rules themselves? And AIBU to think this is an inhlaer, it's a life saving medicine, you can't just tell someone to wait 48hrs for one? Or refuse to issue it because they think you have used it to quickly?

If I went to the hospital with an asthma attack, they would lecture me for not having a spare. It's impossible to have a spare. The hospital and the doctors preach completely different messages.

WIBU just to lie next time about whats wrong with me so I can just get an appointment with a doctor? I know it's wrong but I can't face another argument in front of everyone.

OP posts:

CailinDana · 17/12/2012 13:35

That is absolutely bonkers. Bonkers!! I don't have asthma I just have a nasty cough and the last time I saw the doctor she gave me two blue inhalers. I don't even need them to breathe, they're just for easing the cough.

It sounds to me like they realised they were issuing a ridiculously large number of inhaler prescriptions because people weren't using up their old ones/losing them etc. and so they instituted this procedure to deal with it without actually thinking it through. It is beyond ridiculous.

You need to write a detailed letter to the practice about it and insist that the policy is changed or you will take it further. It could easily result in someone dying, and all for petty rules.

DozyDuck · 17/12/2012 13:36

I would request an appointment with the doctor because you are using your inhalers quicker than a month and want to discuss the best way to go forward.

That said you don't HAVE to tell the receptionist why you want to see the doctor. Just say 'I'm really sorry but it's personal and I don't want to disclose it'

Theicingontop · 17/12/2012 13:36

WIBU just to lie next time about whats wrong with me so I can just get an appointment with a doctor?

The receptionists ask what's wrong with you before you get an appointment?! What?! Surely since they're not medical professionals they have no right asking you, let alone determining whether you need medical assessment. I just ring my surgery and ask for an appointment, the furthest detail I go into is whether I'd like a female doctor. That's shocking.

Yes, I would lie next time, and give your doctor a good ticking off for the stupid one-a-month policy while you're at it. The cold can be a trigger for some people, surely they know that. My doctor's brilliant and always makes sure I'm one ahead with my prescriptions, so I do have spare. They're being completely unreasonable. Maybe if they had to live with being wheezy and incoherent for a week before they're 'allowed' their medicine they'd change their bloody minds.

Musomathsci · 17/12/2012 13:37

Beyond ridiculous, this is positively dangerous. Agree that ou can't just let this go. Complain to the senior partner at the practice.

Original poster

spookysal · 17/12/2012 13:37

It's only because I've been unwell Dozy, normally a month is ok.

But with the cold weather and all the bugs I can see it happening again.

OP posts:

supadupapupascupa · 17/12/2012 13:38

you can go to ASDA, ask for an emergency inhaler and they will give it to you. They then contact the surgery on your behalf i think.......I think the sell them too.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 17/12/2012 13:39

Why are you having to tell them why you need an appointment? Since when did a receptionist have qualifications which enable them to decide what is worthy?

I would raise the issue with the surgery manager (if that even exists, I have never had to complain) or get an appointment with a GP the next time you need to order one and raise it with them.

saintlyjimjams · 17/12/2012 13:39

Unless they redeem themselves in other ways I think I would switch surgeries and send a letter to the practice manager saying why

GrumpyCrossPatch · 17/12/2012 13:41

I think the system is probably correct and so are you. I suspect that the mechanism is there to force you to see a doctor for worsening symptoms or poor control if you are getting through more than one per month, which is exactly what you tried to do. IMHO the people being unreasonable here are the receptionists/nurse for not understanding that acute asthma can be life threatening and for taking on responsibilities above their level of expertise (and possibly the GP for not explaining how they want the system to work to their staff).

I agree with the poster who said just book an appointment next time and refuse to disclose the reason. Get well soon.

Original poster

spookysal · 17/12/2012 13:42

Yes, we have to say what the problem is and then we are told if we allowed an appointment or if the doctor will call us back and see if he actually needs to see us. Phone appointments are all the rage at my surgery atm.

OP posts:

Sidge · 17/12/2012 13:44

That's ridiculous.

I'm the asthma nurse where I work and whilst the prescription clerks will bring to my attention patients that they feel might be over-ordering inhalers (which could indicate poorly controlled asthma) we wouldn't deny anyone a salbutamol inhaler. ESPECIALLY where they were using it appropriately i.e. whilst suffering a viral illness that had exacerbated their asthma.

I would ask to meet with the practice manager and the lead GP and ask them to explain their rigid prescriptions policy and question why there is no flexibility.

DontmindifIdo · 17/12/2012 13:46

If they ask what the problem is, you can say "sorry, it's confidential, I don't want to discuss it with anyone other than the doctor." They do only ask to see if it's emergancy or not (as they will have some emergancy appointments they can give out, so you'll just end up in the normal cue). I would do that as soon as your inhaler has run out, regardless of if it's been a month yet and tell your GP it's because of this policy you have to waste his/her time.

MustTidyPlayroom · 17/12/2012 13:55

You can go into any pharmacy for an emergency supply - take your repeat order slip with you as evidence and expect to pay between £5 and £7.65 for a standard salbutamol inhaler.

Sirzy · 17/12/2012 13:56

That is madness. DS has severe asthma and has times when ventolin inhalers can last him as little as 5 days. Ventolin shouldn't be restricted, I always make sure I have a full backup for DS.

With daily inhalers they can say how long one should last but that's impossible with ventolin

Original poster

spookysal · 17/12/2012 14:07

I wish I had a back up. I get really scared when I feel mine start to get low and I am not due one. Also I get paranoid about losing it.

I've tried to talking to the doctor. I explained that I just wanted a spare and he gave an appointment with the asthma nurse who told me I probably just use it too much when I don't need to.

I tried to explain I only use it when wheezy and tight chested but she said she is over dependent on hers and so I probably am as well. And that the NHS can't afford for us to use it like that anymore.

After that conversation, I gave up tbh. I try to stick the one month rule as best I can, even if means using dd2's. But now its a month and 48 hours plus an argument thrown in.

I really need to change doctors.

I think I will write a letter. But as they always seem to think they are in the right, I doubt it will do any good.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 17/12/2012 14:11

Can you ask for a review of your preventers to try to get it better controlled?

DontmindifIdo · 17/12/2012 14:11

write a letter to the practice manager and keep going to see the doctor, when it's clear you (and I assume others) are wasting resources by this policy they might have to rethink.

NatashaBee · 17/12/2012 14:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ballstoit · 17/12/2012 14:15

I would ring and ask to speak to your usual doctor on the phone. I'd explain the situation and ask them to come up with a reasonable suggestion.

I have had the same problem with my Thyroid medication, as receptionists wouldn't let me request a repeat prescription early when I was going on holiday. Had to get a call back appointment with GP to get it early. They also refused to prescribe an increased dose following a consultant appointment as it was half way through the 2 months of medication they prescribe. Again, had to waste a telephone appointment with GP to get it sorted.

OutragedFromLeeds · 17/12/2012 14:16

The receptionists at my surgery usually ask what you need the appointment for, I think it's so that they can send you to the appropriate person i.e. doctor/nurse/nurse practitioner. This was the same at my previous doctor as well. I think if I didn't want to say that would probably be ok though.

WandaDoff · 17/12/2012 14:18

My doctor told me to double up on my inhalers when I'm ill.

They are talking shite & putting you in a dangerous situation.

Can you change to another surgery?

Acky123 · 17/12/2012 14:20

Technically, using a whole Ventolin inhaler in a month means your asthma is well out of control and you need your medication reviewing.

I've only found out recently from the asthma nurse that not using preventers properly and using my blue inhaler too much is actually dangerous (scared the crap out of me).

But that's not the point - refusing you an inhaler that you need (and denying you a spare) is disgusting. I used to go through the same rigmarole trying to get my inhalers until I moved surgery.

You definitely need to complain and move surgeries if possible. I know I would get wheezy just worrying about not having enough inhaler left :(

Acky123 · 17/12/2012 14:23

BTW - I understand you can end up using it a lot more when you've got a cold.

What I'm trying to say is that their one month rule us daft anyway, because to use a whole inhaler in a month means you're using the equivalent of 6 puffs a day.

I've been told needing more than 6 puffs of ventolin a week means your preventers aren't working and that you need an asthma review. So their one month per inhaler isn't in a patients interest anyway.

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