GP will not prescribe treatment for child's Threadworms. Is that standard?

[sharesinNivea]

I have just had a requested callback from one of the practice doctors as I suspect my child has worms, where she advised me that I am not eligible for a free prescription for the treatment, as they are 'too busy to deal with common childhood complaints such as threadworms' and expect parents to take full responsibility for their child's health issues amd treat it themselves.

I don't know if it is worms but it matches photos I've googled (not a pleasant 10 minutes!) sonasically the doctor is recommending a treatment without even examining first.

When I said that I'm currently on income support, she said that Child Benefit is awarded precisely for this reason, to buy medication for your child amongst other expenses, so she will not offer me a free prescription for threadworm.

It's £11 per pack and there are three in our family, two children and myself, that's an entire week's Child Benefit!

I'm not a dole scrounger by any means and I scrimp amd save to high heaven to afford to live on benefits as a lone parent as we receive zero child support from their father, but spending £30 on medication when I assumed this is what the NHS Is for...? I have after all worked since the age of 18 until 36 when I had my children, hasn't that helped pay for free medication for my children?

They've just had headlice too at £15 a pop and I need to buy a follow up bottle in 7 days for that too, obviously I don't expect free prescriptions for headlice lotion, but as these threadworms are causing major discomfort and are contagious...oh I don't know. Tell me if I'm wrong and this is standard practice, please :/

Drs are under a lot of pressure to cut budgets. It's normal to not get prescriptions for medication available OTC.

That includes some eczema creams, and oils, paracetamol, antihistamines , headline treatment and worming stuff.

I think it's pretty normal. It's just bad luck that you've had the nits and worms to deal with so close together.

Not much use now, but a Nitty Gritty comb costs £10, lasts forever and works brilliantly.

why waste money on headlice treatment- wet combing is vastly more effective. I think threadworms and headlice are part and parcel of having kids and would never dream of asking the doctor for treatment for either. You can get rid of worms but insisting your kids scrub their nails with a nail brush with every handwash, putting them to bed in tight pants under PJs and wearing mittens/gloves to stop them scratching their bottoms. It;s hand-bottom-mouth reinfection with worm eggs that keeps them around so long. If you break the cycle effectively they should be gone in a week-10days

One pack of worming medication usually treats a familyof four - check with the pharmacist. You ddon't need prescription stuff for headlice - tesco value conditioner and a comb works just as well. I agree if you're on benefits there is an argument for getting the worm medication free, but it won't cost as much as you make out.

I don't have experience but I think this isn't right. I'd go back to my GP with proof of income and ask for a prescription.

Proof of income is nothing to do with it as kids get free prescriptions anyway. But for things that require prescribing. Not stuff that you can buy yourself without one.

It may be worth seeing another dr maybe the next one may be a bit more sympathetic

4 pack of Ovex is £7.65 at Boots. You can prob get generic tablets cheaper than that. It would not occur to me to take up a GP's time for something so trivial that the pharmacy can easily advise you on.

Are people not aware of NHS minor ailments? Boots are one pharmacy that run it - I have had free hayfever meds and nit treatment for my children this way. It's there to stop people going to their GP for prescriptions for the more minor complaints.

You have to specifically mention the minor ailments scheme and you can't demand a certain product. If the ailment is covered, they will provide you with their choice of medication for it.

It is great to use it occassionally, as and when required and is there to relieve strain from GPs.

Children should have free health care. Parents too if on certain benefits. I have had calpol and ibuprofen given on prescription. I'm currently getting gaviscon on prescription as I am pregnant. So saying if it is available over the counter you can't have a script is incorrect.

Speak to either a different doctor, attend a walk in centre or make an appointment with a different doctor. And complain to the practice manager. It is the doctors job to deal with health issues common or otherwise.

And next time you get nits I'm sure if you take the affected dc with you, boots give you free treatment. Hth.

all our chemists run a minor ailments service and will provide headlice treatments, worm treatments, etc free of charge for anyone who would be eligible for free prescriptions. It saves having to go to the GP for minor issues. I'd check and see if it available in your area

I should add the minor ailments scheme is free, but obviously only for those already with free prescriptions, including children.

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pharmacy/Pages/Commonconditions.aspx

There's a very funny book by Babette Cole called Doctor Dog....I'd get that to help reinforce the importance of hand washing etc.

We've had both headlice treatment and worm treatment (was a very traumatic scout camp!) from the pharmacy minor ailments scheme.

Our pharmacist is lovely and if she can use the minor ailments scheme to help, she will. Go and ask about it :)

m.boots.com/mt/www.boots.com/en/Ovex-Family-Pack-4-Tablets_11628/

This is £7.65 for 4 tablets. You only need one tablet per person.

Boots own brand is exactly the same as Ovex but cheaper.

(not a lot cheaper mind you - £6.90 for 4 tablets)

It does not cost £11 to treat a family for threadworm

www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/ovex-tablets-family-pack-p3879.html

We bought a family pack of tablets from TESCOs for £6. For a famiily where the adults are not entitled to free prescriptions it far cheaper to buy a family pack of Ovex than go to the GP and get a prescription.

I feel it is disgusting for a GP to refuse to prescribe ovex to a family on income support. Child benefit is there to feed the children not to treat threadworm. Does your GP really expect you to choose between eating and treating threadworm?

It may well be worth you contacting PALS

www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx

To make a formal complaint about your family being refused treatment for threadworm on the NHS.

Many years ago I went to my GP with threadworm asking for advice as I was a breastfeeding mother at the time. The pharamist refused to sell me medication with a GP say it was OK. I was prescribed different medication for free on the NHS.

you still need to treat 2 weeks later so will need 2 pack

If you click on directions then it says a single dose kills the worms.

Thankyou for the advice about the minor ailments scheme which I will look into having never heard of such before.

Imnkt annoyed with the doctor, just surprised she was so insistent about my Child Benefit being there for buying medication when neccessary. That's fine, but not when the cost impacts so much on an already limited income surely.

Yes, the tablets cost £11 in my local chemist. It's an independant chemist, perhaps they're dearer.

Also a wee tip for getting rid of the worms, after a bedtime bath, stick a good glop of vaseline (or nappy rash cream) around the anus area, then put tight pants on underneath pjs. Bath again in the morning, put pants on a hot wash. The vaseline is supposed to stop the worms from being able to lay their eggs and helps break the cycle.

a single dose may kill the worms but if any eggs hatch then the next dose gets the baby worms before they lay any more eggs

I think there may be a certain age perhaps under 2 that a dr should evaluate in case of worms. Maybe I'm imagining it. My DD had a suspected case of it but I was made see the GP as my other daughter was a baby at the time and she couldn't have tablets. Anyway it turned out DD1 had something else anyway, but we did get the meds for free a whole family pack x2 to allow for 2 treatments each. The liquid form allows for many treatments as it's 5mls a time and the bottles quite big.