To rage at free phone GP service

[youwonjaneohmygod]

I have access to a free phone GP service through work (non NHS). They put the prescription through to a pharmacy who then deliver the medicine to your door.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis via surgery four years ago and have been taking the POP continuously since then to manage it.

I’m trying to avoid going near health care settings at the moment to avoid getting sick.

I asked for 3 months supply of the POP and the GP was reluctant to prescribe over the phone. She kept trying to manipulate me into going to my local practice - “You know you can get it for free on the NHS!” Etc.

I explained that I think it’s worth paying at the moment, I’ve been taking it safely for 3+ years, I would just prefer to not go near a GP surgery at the moment. She said she’d give me three months worth. I paid £16 including delivery, all fine.

Until it arrived and it was only 28 fucking days worth!!!!

Had such a serious rage when it arrived - I just feel so undermined. And furious that I’m now going to have to go through the whole process again so soon. I’m young and fit, have been taking it for years, the medicine’s been around for 30+ years. I just don’t believe this would happen to men.

AIBU to be furious?

Maybe they will send you a pack a month.

Furious yabu. It’s an extreme reaction. Annoying, yes.

Can't you just contact your GP to send your prescription to a pharmacy and they will deliver it? You might have to pay a delivery charge but will still be cheaper.

I realise you are angry and frustrated because they seemed to go back in agreeing but there are strict rules about certain medications. Raise a complaint if you feel it has been unreasonable but I'm not sure that your level of anger is normal. This has happened to my DP on several occasions (they take many different medications)

Your point about men is silly though, I've known many men who have this happen (related To my previous career is the reason I saw it so often) and women. This isn't a sex based issue , why have you pulled that out of thin air?

Why can't you get a repeat prescription from your GP if you have been taking it for 4 years?

I don't think that many men get endometriosis.

I’m sure you can get it delivered to your door monthly on the nhs. I think you can arrange that with the pharmacy.

Hi all, thanks for your responses. I can see I was being a bit unreasonable.

I think what made me fume was that I felt like I had to beg on the phone to be allowed it in the first place, and the GP was quite patronising.

It’s good to hear everyone feels it’s nothing to do with it being the pill and that it happens to everyone. I moved to the UK a few months ago and access to the pill can be an issue in my home country.

If you'd contacted your own GP practice in the first place it would have actually been straightforward.

Do you not need blood pressure check for a prescription? Also you're at risk of blood clots on this medication.

You realise that covid isn't being treated at gp surgeries in the UK? It's very safe and you can't hide forverr.

You're being absolutely ridiculous.

Those kind of telephone services provided by employers aren’t really meant to deal with routine, ongoing issues. That’s meant to be the job of your GP and probably why the doctor you spoke to wasn’t keen on doing it.

They are meant for straightforward one-off stuff, that they can deal with easily, like antibiotics for a UTI. So you don’t need to take time off work to go the doctor, or off sick. This is why your employer provides it.

Your NHS GP is open just call them

I needed a consultant letter in order to be given the pill on a continuous basis, especially as I'm older, at high risk of dvt and have migraines.
It might be a good idea to request referral to a consultant via the NHS or privately if able to via works medical insurance, as then this issue won't occur.

Notmyfirstusername of course the same issue would occur. It's the prescribing doctor's responsibility to ensure medication is safe, if the GP doesn't feel it's safe to prescribe, then a letter from the consultant will get the OP nowhere.
Anyway, it's a moot point. OP, if you're on the POP, it should be very easy to do a telephone pill check. You don't need a BP check for this pill, and if the GP wants to check your BP, then this could even be done with the GP/ nurse coming out and you sitting in your car! Just give them a ring.

Mylittlefidget, interesting as my GP did have concerns and refused to prescribe until he'd had a response from my consultant explaining the reasons behind my Contraceptive pill use.
I'm at a large practice with 10+ GPs, each has looked at and referred to the consultants letter In their notes before prescribing. I'm not a dr, but to me having that reassurance from the consultant regarding the consequences of my not taking the pill is the only reason those GPS are prescribing that medication.
Maybe any GPs out there could explain if they would be more comfortable with a consultant explanation as a back up for prescribing something they would usually not prescribe, to see if the OP would be wasting her time with a consultant referral.

Just contact your surgery and ask them to do it.
I did the same for my prescription, i filled in a form, got a text and hour later that my prescription was sent to my local pharmacy, and my prescription was ready within an hour.

Most GPs are more than happy to prescribe POP long term
Fewer risks and does not need monitoring in same way as COCP.
Faculty of sexual health and reproduction have said POP safe to prescribe remotely during covid lockdown so would suggest you contact your GP

You can also get it from superdrug online for a fee, think it was twenty something for six months supply.

I used to order it online from Lloyds as the NHS don’t seem to want to prescribe Cerazette but use Cerelle which didn’t work for me.

You can get repeat prescriptions delivered to your door for free. Go on Pharmacy2U. You order it through them, they contact your GP who approve the prescription and it's sent to your door free of charge.

They even send you reminder emails to make sure you get your medication on time.

can't you just request it from nhs doctor.
I've not had to go to my gp for any of my medication. just the chemist too collect

Maybe she has put you on a ‘batch’. Ie. The pharmacy has been sent 3x 1 month prescriptions, and they will be sent to you each month. Many surgeries don’t like to routinely issue three months of meds, hence monthly (or two monthly prescriptions).

GP surgeries are probably lower risk that your average supermarket. Our local one has a Covid area which is separate to the rest of the surgery. GPS all wear ppe if seeing patients. They also change gloves in between patients, unlike supermarkets cashiers who keep them on all day.

My NHS doctor has given me a years supply of the mini pill for the last 2 years.

At least you get your's delivered. I have to go get mine every month.