Or are GP Surgery...Contraception

[Kaboni19]

I haven't had to go to my current GP surgery often so I'm still getting to grips with how they operate.

I have a few days left of my contraceptive pill so I've called up for a repeat prescription.
I'm informed that I can't do this, I have to come in and be seen by the nurse to have my blood pressure taken first.
Odd for two reasons, 1) Upon being prescribed this pill in the first instance I was advised to have a nurse appointment but when I turned up for it, receptionist said I actually had to see a GP for prescription first because this surgery hadn't seen me before.
GP appointment wait was terribly long, no one had told me this previously and I had been on this same pill the year before I was pregnant.
Once I told them this they allowed me to see the nurse who just got a doctor to sign the prescription and off I went.
2) No one told me about blood pressure at original appointment AND I have to do this every time I want a repeat of the pill

The worst part is the next available appointment isn't until 24th of October

Is this a rule anyone else has to deal with it?
Do you think I just call back and hope to get a different receptionist in case they're making it up as they go along?

I think the whole thing is utterly ridiculous and they should fully inform patients of stuff like so they can be prepared.

I always had to have a blood pressure check every 6 months when I was on the pill. And that had to be with a GP. That was at two different practices.

@Seeline 6 months in understandable but I find every 3 a little excessive

Yes you need regular blood pressure checks when you're taking the pill. How many months worth did you get last time?

But it's not up to you really is it? You're not the Dr. When a clinician prescribes something they are responsible for you and it - hence regular checks to make sure it a suitable for you.
Perhaps as you are taking regular medication it would make sense to know the reorder process in plenty time?

You can buy the pill privately from Lloyd’s Pharmacy by filling in an online form... I would probably do that to tide you over and have a back up supply, if you can afford it (I remember it being £30-£50 for a six months supply when I looked, depending on the type of pill).

Sorry, reading that back it's sounds a bit arsey I didn't mean to be - just a bit blunt!

And I’ve always had six months of the pill at a time, at least. Are you over 35?

Did you tell them you are running out and can they give you the prescription while you wait for the appointment? Ours does that.

They should give you an emergency prescription for a supply and then allow you time to get your blood pressure done.

Mine insist on having blood pressure checks for the Mini Pill. Every time I go through a rigmarole (due to their own ludicrous processes) where I end up suggesting if I become pregnant I will take further action and they would miraculously find me an appt. It’s tiresome.

Could depend on area and pill. At my last check I was given a years worth.

Superdrug do it too.

Says from £2.50 per month here... and you can just get 3 months supply

onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/ad/female-contraception?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZDtBRDvARIsAPXFx3A-7K68d4vXjjEMQ4Mt2L7tHJKqoIn4vCFqNgNhXuQ-NENEa-qtA9AaAsg6EALw_wcB

When I was on the pill I never got more than 3 months at a time and you couldn't order on repeat, you had to visit the GP

When I was on the pill I had to have 3 monthly blood pressure checks- depends on your general health and risk factors. It might be annoying but theyre just trying to prevent health problems further down the line

Depends what type of pill .
Mini pill you dont need a BP check
Combined you do.
Im on Cerelle and just get 6 months at a time from Lloyds online for £15.
Got fed up with taking a day off every 3 months and trying to get an appointment just for that

I have to have a review every 12 months, and get prescribed 6 months supply of the pill with each prescription - can they give you a longer prescription?

My gp gives 12 months with blood pressure check at 12 months. However this year it was a nightmare getting app so i paid for the pills and ordered with no issues with Superdrug online. They only do 6months but its easier for me

My gps make no sense I’ve gone from every six month to every three months and just been prescribed a yers worth. It’s bonkers. Be so much easier if the pharmacy could just prescribe free contraception since they can do weight and blood pressure. It would free up so many gp appointments.

I always used to get six months on repeat with just an annual check, but now have to have a bp check every 6 months. So I think protocol has changed.

It’s not just you, I find my surgery very obstructive. They’ve recently, and arbitrarily, decided I just need an annual blood pressure check.

Basically I had a young, male receptionist tell me they can’t renew my prescription until I’ve had a check up and they don’t have any appointments available. I asked, “so how do I access this contraception?” and he replied “you need to ring up and make an appointment”. I pointed out that that’s literally what I was trying to do and he said I’d just have to wait until 6 weeks time when more appointments would be opened for booking.

So it’s not just you OP, the situation is at crisis point.

I used to only get 3 months at a time, it was then pushed to 6 months ( however i was seen quite regularly for another reason so had to have my blood pressure taken anyway) so this seems quite normal unfortunately.
Have you thought about the injection?

I get 6 months worth on every appointment, in the instance I run low and the appointments are after I’ve run out, they will issue me a months worth. My GP never checks my blood pressure (previously they have) I guess as you are a new patient you will have to go along with it until they can prescribe longer prescriptions

A sexual health clinic can give you a repeat of it; they check your blood pressure there and give you 6 months worth - normally you can get an appointment within the week or go to a walk in slot; you can find your nearest online

However, I've only even had my blood pressure taken when I was first prescribed the pill

My GP does this, used to be 6 months but now annually. I think it’s a good idea as it can have serious side effects.
If you ask they can usually give you 1 month while you are waiting for an appointment

You can buy the some forms of contraception from Lloyd’s online doctor, I buy mine every six months as I can’t be bothered faffing with the GP. £15 for a six month supply.

Not just you. My GP only gives me 3 month Pill prescriptions and I have to go in and do my BP and weight every single bloody time. It’s ridiculous. Never had this in my previous doctors.