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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it shouldnt take that long to get the pill..

30 replies

Chattymummyhere · 23/04/2013 11:59

Got just over a weeks worth left, I get told ring up when you have a weeks worth left and you will be seen in time before you run out.

So I ring up yesterday as I know what they are like, no answer at all just the waiting line message that if it is not an emergency please hang up and call back later. Get though today to be told no appointment she can give me for nearly 2weeks and I am to ring back every day at 8:45am and 2:30pm to see if they can get me an appointment. Not that she has booked me an appointment for say 2weeks time just in case I cannot get one before so I could spend the whole of this week ringing up twice a day to get nothing to them be told another 2weeks??

I have to go every 3 months which takes the mick anyway without not being able to get an appointment when in nearly out and on holiday next month.

Guess I can see why so many young teens are pregnant in my area/at that doctors surgery, and before anyone says walk in center is only for the morning after pill, I believe our gum? clinic shut down so the only option is the doctors.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 23/04/2013 12:01

"Guess I can see why so many young teens are pregnant in my area"

I believe condoms are widely available at all times of day and night.. and help prevent a lot more than just unwanted pregnancy.

KobayashiMaru · 23/04/2013 12:05

just ask them to leave you out a prescription, or go further out to find a family planning clinic. Take responsibility for yourself, ffs.

Original poster
Chattymummyhere · 23/04/2013 12:06

That's true, but surely having good access to things like the pill from the doctors also helps and acts as double protection should a condom split.

OP posts:
NotYoMomma · 23/04/2013 12:07

Ringing on the day you want an appointment is not unusual.

Get to the clinic or get a condom

YABU

Original poster
Chattymummyhere · 23/04/2013 12:08

KobayashiMaru

Doctors wont give a prescription for the pill without seeing you, I don't drive which is why I am registered at my local doctors, Gum clinic shut down, so apart from changing doctors there is not anything else I can do.

OP posts:
NotYoMomma · 23/04/2013 12:08

There is the MAP

And the pill isn't 100% anyway. Just ring when they told you

You could always shock not have PIV

Kt8791 · 23/04/2013 12:09

I think they can write u a prescription for 1 months supply that u can just pick up? Don't they give u 6 months at a time?

Original poster
Chattymummyhere · 23/04/2013 12:10

Ok so I am BU...

I just thought the whole easy access to contraception is flawed when you cannot get an appointment, I rang up for an appointment today to be told nothing for 2weeks yet to still ring up everyday..

NotYaMomma why should I have to change what contraception I use purely because the doctor is over booked/unwilling to do a repeat prescription ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Chattymummyhere · 23/04/2013 12:11

Kt8791 normally but the new doctor only seems to give out 3months worth at a time

OP posts:
whois · 23/04/2013 12:11

It is v easy to get the pill. Google your neares sexual health drop in clinc and go there, be prepared to wait a bit. Simples.

Mabelface · 23/04/2013 12:13

I'd be pissed off too and agree that access shouldn't be difficult. I would also count taking the pill and trying to get a new prescription as taking responsibility for yourself. As for suggesting the MAP as a regular form of contraception, that's just ridiculous.

Fillyjonk75 · 23/04/2013 12:17

I agree, I don't think it's as easy as it should be to get free contraception. YANBU if the surgery says allow a week for an appointment and it takes at least two. They should manage expectations the other way round.

When I was 17 and living in Greater Manchester (hardly the back of beyond) my "local" FP clinic was two bus rides away. I was too embarassed to see a family doctor who knew me. I would hope sexual health services have improved now but I bet there are many areas who don't have great access to such services.

Fillyjonk75 · 23/04/2013 12:18

Also I only had to go for a pill check once a year when I was on it, after the initial year or so. The rest of the time I'd get a repeat prescription for 6 months worth.

SpottyTeacakes · 23/04/2013 12:18

I don't understand why you have to see the doctor? Round here you get a repeat prescription that you hand in at the doctors (little post box) and two days later your pill is ready to collect at the chemist Confused same with all regular medication.

Original poster
Chattymummyhere · 23/04/2013 12:21

I don't understand it, I asked before and was told its because they have to regularly check blood pressure/weight etc Nurse cannot do it for some reason.

My old doctors was every 6months and the nurse would do the checks and just run though to get the doctors to sign but again no repeats without being seen first.

OP posts:
Dahlen · 23/04/2013 12:22

YANBU OP. Easy access to contraception is a human right in this country. It's not a case of having to use additional contraception for the outstanding days you don't have any pills - it will be a further 7 days on top of that. Not to mention what if you were allergic to condoms.

Ok, you could abstain from sex, but why should you have to when you have a right to free, accessible contraception?

This is why contraception should be given out by dedicated staff or separate clinics, rather than through already stretched GP surgeries. Or, alternatively, rolling appointments should be set up automatically for women who need their prescriptions renewed.

SpottyTeacakes · 23/04/2013 12:22

What a pita. That would completely put me off using the pill. Yearly check ups here.

samandi · 23/04/2013 12:38

YANBU. Some medical practices have very annoying appointment booking procedures, making it difficult to get appointments. Some posters don't seem to be aware that these can differ quite widely between practices, as do procedures when it comes to issuing repeat prescriptions for the pill.

fedupofnamechanging · 23/04/2013 13:22

YANBU. you shouldn't have to stop taking the pill every 3 months because your doctor can't give you an appt for 2 weeks.

I would phone up and make an emergency appt without telling the receptionist the purpose of the appt. Then just ask the doctor for a repeat prescription.

Alternatively, I would change surgeries. This is not practical, long term.

strangertides · 23/04/2013 13:28

YANBU, that system would drive me nuts. I found it annoying enough to have to go back every six months for a repeat script, so I switched to an implant. Won't you consider taking something more longer term like the Mirena or implant, it's also much more reliable as there's no risk you'd forget to take it or of it interfering with medication.

hellsbellsmelons · 23/04/2013 13:35

My doctors was always OK - could easily get a repeat prescription.
I have the implant now - great and lasts 3 years!!!!
Highly recommended and no periods - result!

specialsubject · 23/04/2013 13:45

your doctor's surgery are administrative fools. Mine does an online repeat prescription service and when I needed a check, I see a nurse. I've also just persuaded them to prescribe 6 months at a time, there's no need for adult women to have to get a prescription every 12 weeks.

you shouldn't have to change contraception just because they can't do the monkey admin work. That's ridiculous.

change doctors or complain. Or both.

MrsBeep · 23/04/2013 13:52

Have you tried asking the receptionist to get the doctor to issue a repeat as long as you book an appointment for two weeks time? Explaining the situation to her and saying that your pills will run out in a week. If they won't do that then I would ask to speak with the practice manager.

Original poster
Chattymummyhere · 23/04/2013 13:53

Strabgertides I had the depo and it was horrible, whilst on that I decided I wanted something I could control so that if it does not agree with me I am not left stuck agreeing with a doctor about removing it like many a thread I have seen.

Will look into changing doctors although I have heard they are all just as bad around here, shame the pharmacy cannot prescribe be so much bloody easier.

OP posts:
BraveLilBear · 23/04/2013 15:10

That's just daft. Is there a medical reason why you need to a) see a doctor and b) need to see one every 3 months? Do you keep changing pill or have high blood pressure/weight issues?

I went to the Family Planning Clinic for years because it was drop-in. I often had to wait up to 2 hours (more so after age 25 as they give priority to under-25s) but it was easy enough. Got six months supply at a time, and only needed doctor sign-off once a year (if no problems) or if something changed.

Before that, I used to see a nurse at the GP. I thought all GP surgeries had to have a nurse qualified to hand out pill prescriptions tbh. Having moved house a lot, I have lived in a number of health authorities and different surgeries within those HAs so have a fairly wide-reaching experience.

What a chronic waste of GP time, issuing repeat pill prescriptions. I would strongly echo MrsBeep's suggestion of asking for a repeat prescription with a proviso of seeing someone appropriate as soon as is possible.