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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Drs Receptionist

25 replies

PeaceLilyPatty · 02/07/2021 16:24

I love my drs surgery, have been there all my life, never had a problem.
My DD and DS work long hours and my mum is frail so I always order their prescription over the phone when they ask and then the gp sends it to the pharmacy and I pick it up, simple!
Except not today, I ordered my DS regular medication on Monday, lovely receptionist said she would get it sent to the pharmacy.
Now, our local pharmacy has got new owners and going by Facebook rants and the queue outside I thought I would phone the gp and make sure it's been sent to the pharmacy before I go and queue.
Well today's GP receptionist refused to tell me if it had been sent or not as its data protection breach.
Is it tho? They allow me to order the medication over the phone, the pharmacy let's me pick it up. I just wanted a yes or no if it had been sent or not! I know whatbthe medication is and my DS has a note on his records that I can speak to the GP about him as he has bad anxiety and previous depression.
Incidentally I've asked before and had no problems. It's just makes everyone's lives more stressful
AIBU?

OP posts:
DraughtyWindow · 02/07/2021 16:30

Why not phone the pharmacy instead?

RedMarauder · 02/07/2021 16:35

Different receptionist?

Receptionist fed up of being blamed for the shit caused by the new pharmacists but telling you that to be polite?

Or have the receptionists been pulled up on telling different members of a household about prescriptions, appointments, etc so now the practice have had to be come stricter?

The GP practices I've belonged to since the early 00s don't allow telephone repeat prescription requests you have to do it either in writing or online.

If your entire family starts doing yours in writing you can create a template where you state the medication and state which members of the family the practice are allowed to discuss the prescription with.

doyouneedtowean · 02/07/2021 16:40

Yeah, you should have phoned the pharmacy to ask if they had it ready for you.

Doctors are already stretched enough as it is to be answering random queries that can be solved by someone else/yourself.

Original poster
PeaceLilyPatty · 02/07/2021 16:47

I've been trying to phone the pharmacy all day! Literally since it opened. It's engaged all the time, I think they must have taken the phone off the hook. It's such a shame as the old pharmacist was brilliant, all through covid never a queue or a problem.
The surgery welcome repeat prescription orders over the phone, they don't have a problem with that.
The receptionist today spent so much time umming and arrghing over weather she could tell me if it had been sent to the pharmacy or not. I just wanted a simple yes or no. She said herself that she could see I was named on my sons notes as being allowed to speak to the gp if needed.
It's just so frustrating as I will have to wait till Monday now

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 02/07/2021 16:48

Most pharmacies do a repeat prescription service now OP.

If members of your family have the same regular medication just sign up for the repeat prescription service, I do mine with Boots, and the pharmacy will order it from the GP and text you when it's in store ready to collect.

You can even get it delivered to your door if you sign up with a pharmacy that does that.

Saves so much time and toing and froing for everyone.

Notaroadrunner · 02/07/2021 16:51

Given your Ds has it noted on his file that you can discuss him, she should have just answered the question. Otherwise, as she's new she would have just been doing her job, not knowing that you usually call up on his behalf.

doyouneedtowean · 02/07/2021 16:52

I've been trying to phone the pharmacy all day! Literally since it opened. It's engaged all the time, I think they must have taken the phone off the hook.

That’s not the doctors surgery’s problem, though. It’s not a reason to phone them.

Justcallmebebes · 02/07/2021 16:54

We order online and pharmacist sends text when meds are available to collect.

Not helpful to you tho. Sorry

CopperBear · 02/07/2021 16:58

If there's a note on DS's file to say to speak to you then she had no right to not tell you. However, if you didn't make that clear to her or ask her to check the file then she can't possibly know everyone's situations so better safe than sorry. Unfortunately for you, it's for the greater good that you were inconvenienced this time than that private medical information is given out to anyone who phones up. YANBU but neither is she - just one of those things imo.

QueenBee52 · 02/07/2021 17:03

Well today's GP receptionist refused to tell me if it had been sent or not as its data protection breach.

what an utter knob 🤣😂

I hope you got your DS's script 🌸

namechange30455 · 02/07/2021 17:03

I struggle to understand why anyone would faff about with phone calls and trips to the pharmacy for repeat prescriptions for three adults who could all have them set up to be ordered online and delivered?

QueenBee52 · 02/07/2021 17:04

@namechange30455

I struggle to understand why anyone would faff about with phone calls and trips to the pharmacy for repeat prescriptions for three adults who could all have them set up to be ordered online and delivered?
Delivered ????

is this new ? 🤔

pigsDOfly · 02/07/2021 17:09

Yes, you can get your repeat prescription deliver to your door now.

It's a service that's been around a while now.

Original poster
PeaceLilyPatty · 02/07/2021 17:13

She admitted she could see the note on his file, she didn't even ask my name.
And she couldn't tell me why I have been able to phone before and get an answer, or why I am able to order the prescription in the first place if its not allowed.
We used to use tesco but they gave my DD the wrong epilepsy medication so we

OP posts:
SesameOrangutan · 02/07/2021 17:14

@namechange30455

I struggle to understand why anyone would faff about with phone calls and trips to the pharmacy for repeat prescriptions for three adults who could all have them set up to be ordered online and delivered?
A lot of people don't want their prescription delivered because they like to support small local businesses like pharmacies and, given it costs you the same amount either way, they'd rather their money go to a small business than a big organisation. Pharmacies provide vast amounts of knowledge and expertise and often catch mistakes that GPs make or make recommendations for better medications or combinations of medications. They can offer advice on side effects or symptoms too - this doesn't happen with the delivery services. Delivery also isn't available everywhere. So, that might be why.
katalex · 02/07/2021 17:20

I use Pharmacy2U. I've never had any problems with them. You log in, tick the items you want and then they do everything else. The GP approves it and then Pharmacy2U will post it to you. Rarely takes more than a few days in my experience.

FlyingBattie · 02/07/2021 17:21

I order mine on an App, and can when it's ready- think it's called doctor link.
Can your DM/DH/DS download that and order, and let you know when they are ready to be picked up?

katalex · 02/07/2021 17:21

Forgot to add, YANBU.

QueenBee52 · 02/07/2021 17:24

@pigsDOfly

Yes, you can get your repeat prescription deliver to your door now.

It's a service that's been around a while now.

I did not know this... 😳

that is brilliant.. Thank you 🌸

Original poster
PeaceLilyPatty · 02/07/2021 17:36

The little local pharmacy doesn't deliver and tesco is the next closest and they're rubbish. I will look into it tho.
DS just txt me to say he's got a txt from the gp saying his prescription has been sent to the pharmacy. Bit late now as its closed😕

OP posts:
HalzTangz · 02/07/2021 17:36

Why don't your children order their medication through the NHS app and list your mobile phone number as the number to text when medication arrives at the pharmacist. It literally takes 2 minutes to order a repeat script through the app. Even working long hours I'm sure they can spare 2 minutes to order meds.
Alternatively they could give you their sign in details.
You could set the app up for your mother to and order online for her

HalzTangz · 02/07/2021 17:39

No, I've been doing it a few years now

Original poster
PeaceLilyPatty · 02/07/2021 18:00

@HalzTangz yes I will look into this thankyou.

OP posts:
QueenBee52 · 02/07/2021 18:32

Mumsnet is marvellous for info 🤣💕

Original poster
PeaceLilyPatty · 02/07/2021 22:38

It certainly is @QueenBee52😃

OP posts:
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