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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

... to be peed off with GP who recommended I use expensive potions but didn't write me a prescription?

30 replies

sazzybee · 28/07/2007 19:35

Went to see the GP about some dry patches my 4 month DS has on his skin. He recommended I use E45 cream liberally on the baby every night and only wash him in E45 bath oil. The cream costs £10 for 500g and the bath oil costs £4.50. I just agreed and walked out but now I'm feeling aggrieved that he didn't write me a prescription so that I could get the stuff free. Do GPs have to pay if they write you a prescription or something?

Is it unreasonable for me to have expected him to write me one so that I don't have to pay?

OP posts:

WigWamBam · 28/07/2007 19:36

Prescriptions come out of their budget, yes.

But he should still have written you a prescription.

Go back and ask for one - or telephone him and ask if he can leave you one with reception.

Pitchounette · 28/07/2007 20:27

Message withdrawn

3andnomore · 28/07/2007 20:29

YANBU....sometimes for adults they don't prescribe things, becasue it's cheaper to pay for certian things outright then paying prescription charges...but for a child, where it's free for the parent, they blining well should prescribe....especially as for now it's trial and error, because there is no way knowing that your lil one will respond well to e45, etc...

kslatts · 28/07/2007 20:54

When I take dd's to the gp if he recommends they have calpol he always asks if I have any at home and if I say no he gives me a prescription for some, it's always a big bottle. YANBU.

motherinferior · 28/07/2007 20:56

Might also be worth trying - especially for washing - aqueous cream, which you get very cheaply, in HUGE tubs.

3andnomore · 28/07/2007 20:58

mi...it really is trial and error and things like aqueous cream or even the most expensive of all oilatum really didn't work for any of us...
but yes, if it works aqueous is a good option...

3andnomore · 28/07/2007 20:59

Oh, we use now, in the bath, grapeseed oil wiht a few drops of lavender...whch worls great as a moisturiser without any yukkie extras and the lavender is calming but I also love the smell...

Original poster

sazzybee · 28/07/2007 21:01

Thanks all - didn't know if I was just being really cheap

I didn't know that about the HV - have to take DS in for his jabs next week so will see if she'll write a script for the cream

OP posts:

LyraBelacqua · 28/07/2007 21:02

My GP refuses to prescribe Calpol, but the old one did. I can easily afford Calpol but would rather not pay if I don't have to.

motherinferior · 28/07/2007 21:02

And/or the generic 'oily cream', which has loads of paraffin wax in it?

Sidge · 28/07/2007 22:19

GPs are getting huge smacks on the wrists now and being told to reduce their prescribing costs as most are over budget.

So they usually stop writing scripts for over-the-counter medsication and creams so that they can afford to prescribe truly expensive prescription-only medication for patients.

Sidge · 28/07/2007 22:20

Oops can't spell tonight - meant medication

LyraBelacqua · 28/07/2007 22:27

Well that's fair enough then Sidge. I don't begrudge paying for my Calpol if it means someone can have their cancer drug or whatever.

fruitymum · 28/07/2007 22:30

No you are not being unreasoable. You could telephone your GP and ask for him/her to write you a presciption - thus saving you and them time on an appointment.Also health visitors and many practice nurses can prescribe - often HVs run a dry skin clinic if E45 doesn't help. DD has excema and we have been using Aveeno which is an oatmeal coildal cream and bath emollient with great results - it is available to buy over the counter but your GP etc can prescribe it.

ivykaty44 · 28/07/2007 22:38

Instead of E45 cream you can use Aqueous cream - a hugh 500g tube is approx £3.

My friend had the same problem as you have just had and it was recommended she got aqueous cream as it is much much cheaper. Boots sell there own and tesco sell there own comes in a none fancy white jar.

3andnomore · 28/07/2007 22:45

Aqueous cream and e 45 is not the same...most pproducts have their little differences which can make all the difference....

ScottishMummy · 28/07/2007 23:14

if u have a specific clinical need eg dry skin then go back your GP and request a prescription for that specific condition- it is aprt of the GP patient Assessment process, a dialogue about your needs

e45 and aqueous cream are different emollient preparations

HappyMummyOfOne · 29/07/2007 09:24

Our surgery wont do scripts either for Calpol etc that can be bought over the counter - they have a list in reception thats worded nicely but to the effect of dont ask the doc to prescribe calpol, cough medicine, paracetamol etc.

My ds has excema and he does prescibe for creams, if its over the counter and I run out i just pop and buy some rather than bother the doctor but i need a script for his stronger cream so have to get that.

Furball · 29/07/2007 09:29

when i had ds 6 years ago, the doctor did tests and said I was anemic (sp?) and that I should go and buy some iron tablets. When I told the midwife she was horrified.

Cloudhopper · 29/07/2007 09:29

I don't think it's unreasonable. It could be that he meant to give you a prescription, but forgot?

When I needed to treat dd1 for eczema, they gvae me a huge bottle of Diprobase and a big bottle of emollient bath wash (Oilatum) on prescription. This was a repeat prescription as well so that I can go back whenever.

It isn't that expensive in the context of other drugs that GPs prescribe. Some drugs cost thousands per year per patient. Not to mention GP salaries - heading towards 200k in some cases!

Don't be ashamed to go back and ask for a repeat prescription.

SweetyDarling · 29/07/2007 09:35

It would never have occured to me that a GP could prescribe an over-the-counter moisturizer! I assume that would mean you get it cheaper? (sorry not from UK)

3andnomore · 29/07/2007 09:48

Sweety, if the prescription is for a child forinstance, it will be free. And if you have a child that needs lots of creams or potions or whatever, it oculd really add up if you have to buy it....

foxinsocks · 29/07/2007 09:57

it is worth trying the aqueous cream first - in fact, most GPs will suggest this as the first cream to try.

Every child is different and you can't really tell which cream moisturiser will work for their skin and which won't (E45 does nothing for my two) so if money is a bit tight, it might be worth starting with the aqueous.

They are cutting back on prescriptions - I think it comes from the health authorities (forget what they are called - is it Primary Health Trusts something like that) - my medication got recalled last month, I ended up taking it late and really suffering grrrr.

edam · 29/07/2007 10:21

Blimey fox, do you mean they didn't let you have your prescription?

foxinsocks · 29/07/2007 10:24

yes

consultant prescribes it for me (from hospital) but they can only give you 4 weeks (I think it is) then you have to go to the GP to get more.

I sent the script in as I normally do and got a call saying they hadn't realised they were prescribing me this certain drug (they'd been doing it for 6 months!) and it wasn't on the PCT list and so they weren't going to give it to me!

In the end, they relented but it took a while to sort out and I ended up being without it for a week (not life or death but it buggered my system up). They have made an appointment for me tomorrow to go and 'discuss' it with them (personally, I think they should be talking to the consultant but hey ho!).

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