To ask for (repeat) prescription for me during child's GP appointment?

[TammySwansonTwo]

I need to take my twins to the GP on Monday - one has an eye issue, the other potentially a chest infection.

I am on longterm medication but as one is a controlled drug it's quite a ballache to get as a repeat (go all the way there to drop off a request, pick it up and sign for it two days later, take it to chemists who order it in, then go back a day later to pick it up). With twins, let alone poorly ones, it's a challenge involving a bus journey and a walk each time (they're a really good Surgery so don't want to move, it's not far just awkward to get to involving a massive hill and no direct bus). This time the repeats have run out anyway so will have to be issued by a doctor in person (or maybe over the phone).

I don't want to waste an entire precious appointment just going in and getting regular prescriptions. Having said that, I don't know if it's massively out of order to ask them to just print off my prescription while I'm already in there with my boys - I don't know if this affects their funding or something as well (e.g. they wouldn't be paid for having seen me)?

Would it be okay to ask? Really don't want to be any trouble to them but it would save me a massive amount of time and energy that I don't really have.

I always make a double appointment if it's a complex issue, or for two people. And without fail, the GP thanks me when we leave for doing it. On that unscientific sample, I'd say to book a double and then ask your GP when you leave if that was right, and they want you to do so in future?

GPs these days seem like teachers, in that what we see is iceberg-like compared to the mass of record keeping done behind the scenes. So several problems in one appointment means they get more and more behind and presumably don't just run late, but have to stay on late, too.

In fact the sensible thing: when you book, ask the receptionist what the practice prefer? They may be able to just get a script waiting for you, no need to see anyone. We have that for all of ours. No need to see anyone if it's a recent and/or simple one.

Problem is, it can lead to mistakes. Eg, GP sees child, then goes into your notes to do your script, then perhaps you mention you forgot to ask for something else for the child, but GP forgets to switch back to their notes again. Could lead to script being done for the wrong person.

It’s probably easier to have one rule for all, to decline this. Even though you only need one item, what about the next parent who asks, but they have 5 or 6 items, some of which require BP check?

I asked this once during DD1’s appointment and GP informed me they couldn’t access my information to do this as my notes were ‘locked’ as I wasn’t on the appointment list.

However, I am not sure how true this was, as during another appointment with DD2, the GP accessed DD1’s notes to find out her dairy allergy history.

My pharmacy does all the repeat scripts for me too. I just go and collect the stuff. Much easier.

But I wouldn't have any qualms about asking for a repeat during another appointment. Seems efficient to me.

Sorry OP but I don’t think you are being fair and that you are trying it on.

I really hope you’ve booked a double appointment for your twins issues and aren’t trying to do two, no sorry three issues in the same appointment.

You say you don’t want to waste the massive amount of time and energy that I don't really have. Well sorry I don’t want to wait for my booked appointment as people are taking advantage of the system.

I’m prescribed codiene, not a lot admittedly, every other time I speak or email reception and the add it to my other repeat prescriptions. The Dr reviews and signs these I assume in their own added time (I reckon there’s a lot of additional hours) rather than when they are supposed to be seeing other patients

Thanks - those of you who get CDs collected by your pharmacy, that's really helpful. I will ask my pharmacy if this is a possibility as it would save me a lot of trouble.

ontheboardwalk you think I'm "trying it on"? Don't be so ridiculous. I called on Friday and told the receptionist what was happening with my boys, and she booked them in and told me what time to come with them on Monday. I have no way of knowing if she booked a single or double appointment, it's her job so I assume she knows what she's doing.

Codeine is not a controlled drug, so it's not quite the same, and my practice don't take prescription requests over the phone or by email.

I don't have an appointment booked for me - I don't really want to take up an entire appointment for what is less than 60 seconds of work (literally printing an existing prescription). If they can't do that in the appointment that's fine, I will simply hand in a request form at reception on my way out. I'm not sure what you think I'm trying to pull?

What I’m saying is speak to the receptionist, don’t rock up to another persons appointment and expect your request to be serviced

Hi,I have a controlled drug in with the uncontrolled drugs,once a month I go to my chemist and pick up my entire months medication,tick the boxes for the ones I want next month and go home.they do everything else.I can get it delivered but as its next door that's a bit tot😅
If your chemist can do this service it will no doubt help you out.
As to asking,if you explain why you are requesting this there's no harm done.hopefully he will understand and comply!🌼🌼

Thanks Karma - I will definitely ask my pharmacy about this, would be a big help and they're very helpful generally (there was a cock up last month and they bent over backwards to sort it out with the practice).

I'm not expecting anything - I was asking if this is something that other people do, since I've never done it before, and wondered if it was worth asking.

My darling mother has an appointment on Monday morning (she’s in her 70's) as we're related I’m sure the Dr won’t mind if I rock up and ask for my repeat prescriptions at the same time!

Please just speak to receptionist whilst you are there not the GP

Honestly, just have a chat with reception and ask what they prefer. I'm also on a controlled medication - just started and 1st month is consultant prescribed, so haven't had to get the GP to do it yet - so I will have to ask them the same. Timodene and asthma and eczema meds aren't quite the same, are they!

It's always best to talk to the reception staff. In my experience they are nice people doing a challenging job and getting crap all the time. If that practice wants you to book a double, then they'll say; if they think it's poor form as some here feel, then they'll say that, too.

I hope the meds at the pharmacy route works out.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever had twins with a nasty virus, one of whom has a serious illness and compromised immunity, and really debilitating conditions yourself? Would you need to drag your sick mum out with you in the cold when you need to go back again in two days to pick up a repeat?

I'm not sure why my question has made you so angry - obviously if the doctors are running late or time is used up I wouldn't even ask.

Thanks perfectstorm I'll have a word tomorrow and see what they say

Would highly recommend this app, Echo, for repeat prescriptions - a friend uses it for her BP stuff and it's a lifesaver. Perry sure they can do CDs, too. Avoids the GP appointments and the pharmacy visit and you can get your repeat prescription medication in the post!

What I know is that any NHS employee accessing the medical records of someone they are not officially looking after at that point could lead to instant dismissal.

I really don't think, as YOU do not have an appointment, your GP will be able to do this. There may be a way around it, so ask, but understand if they say no!

Presuming you have a separate appt for each child?

I would do it.

Some of my colleagues would not.

(GP)

Thanks - I'll look into it. The difficulty I have with some of these services is the long turnaround time which is tricky when you've got meds you can't request in advance of when they're due. Will definitely have a look at my options though - if the receptionists aren't too busy tomorrow when I go in I will ask them about which pharmacies still do collections and what the best way to handle it is. My little twin's condition is exacerbated by the cold and by bugs so makes it really tricky at this time of year to take him out.

Thanks Too - I will ask very politely, and only if I'm not causing any delays. No problem if they can't.

It may be moot - the boys are really struggling tonight so we may not make it until Monday without them being seen at this rate. Poor little guys.

I’m on max dose of controlled drug, Tramadol, I put my request in with my gp online, (could also telephone or tick the box on my repeat list and hand in at survey) I then go to my chemists two days later and it’s there, but also have option if chemist bringing it to my house.

They should be offering a way to put your request in without you having to go the surgery, even controlled drugs. How would bed bound or people with mobility issues put their request in. I’d ask about this at reception before the appointment.

MY surgery have several signs up, one abiut providing treatment for the person the appointment is booked for, anither for only dealing with one issue per appointment, my GP def would not do this and probably wouldn’t be impressed with me, I’d once asked for a prescription of my contraceptives during my conjunctivitis and he refused.

If you don’t always see the same gp they may want to look at your history, a doctor who doesn’t your history will have to take time reading your notes, even one you do see all, the time should still want to check to make sure.

I would say to ask the reciopnist when you arrive if it’s something you can do, also ask about other options of getting script in.

My GPs surgery have become a bit shitty about CDs scripts, they used to be able to be physically collected by the pharmacy, but now they insist I have to collect them in person

I submit the repeat request online, and the two non CDs are sent to the pharmacy electronically. The two controlled drugs scripts however have to be collected from reception in person - which is really frustrating, as that means two trips to the pharmacy (because they always have to order the meds in, as they don't keep such large doses of oxycodone in stock). If they'd been able to collect the physical scripts they could order the meds for me and call me when they're in and I'd come in to collect. But since they've changed the rules that means two trips. I understand why they have to be so careful about CDs, but the pharmacy used to be able to collect physical scripts for CDs, so it's just frustrating to have to jump through hoops

At least now we can do the annual medication review over the phone, and I don't have to take up a valuable appointment that someone else could be using just to see a GP so they can go 'so you still have a spinal injury and epilepsy? OK, I'll put the meds on repeat for another year', and we can do that on the phone. They'll probably introduce a new rule saying you have to see a Dr to be reviewed every 3 months or something ridiculous now I've said that!

I work in a GP surgery and we've been given new guidelines for controlled drugs - patients have to collect and sign for the script in person.

Yes it is a major ballache but the surgery hasn't made the rule up to pi$$ off the patients - we've been given these rules to follow - because, unfortunately, there are many deceptive patients out there who claim that the pharmacy must have forgotten to collect that script, or that their mate collected it for them and lost it, sold it - blah blah blah.
There are always reasons for all new rules.

You said that your prescription had run out of maximum issues and had to be done by a GP this time (which would usually give you a month's notice with which to book your appt) - were you also told to do this by booking an appointment for a 'medication review'? If this is the case then it's unlikely that they'll do the script for you on Monday during your twins appointment...

Whilst you think that would be a waste of an appt (believe me, I've had enough people scream abuse at me for relaying what the GP tell us to) but - particularly where a controlled drug is concerned - it is not a waste of appt.

They still have to go through the motions of asking if the drug still works for you, any probs? Dose might need altering up/down and do on. They then need to type up that info on your file, reauthorise that medication and set up the next amount of 'issues' i.e; 4 months, 6 months, 12 months. That then need to be issued and signed.
Controlled medications do get misused/abused and this is why they have to be do strictly monitored. Controlled medications usually cause addiction - so this is another reason for strict monitoring.

Whilst many patients know that they will be on medications 'long term' - permanently the GP still has to monitor it.
As such they have to do medication reviews - if anything goes wrong it is their signature on your issued prescription.

Even when hospital consultants want patients to be on a medication - the fact that the GP is the one who prescribes it to a patient again means stringent monitoring - because it's their signature on that script not the hospital consultants.

I hadn't meant to waffle on quite so much, but people just don't know this information and sometimes it does help to know.

Thanks for that post. It's personally very helpful.

Delilah has summed it up perfectly.
And as another poster has said, the stuff you see and notice in your appointment is the tip of the workload iceberg.
Personally, if it's a double appt for the children and I know you and it's a repeat thats already authorised (not one due for review) I'd do it. Otherwise I'm afraid I wouldn't. But I wouldn't be annoyed at you for asking.