Asthma Review - what is involved

[LillianFullStop]

I have just tried to get a Ventolin prescription on Superdrug Online and my order has been refused due to me not having had an asthma review in the last 12 months. Their online doctor suggested I go to the GP to get an asthma review and in the meantime if I experience and asthma attack to call 999

I'm 28 weeks pregnant and have only 2 months valid left on my inhaler. I would rather have a full one on hand in case I catch this coronavirus as my asthma is triggered by viral/respiratory infections. Sounds dangerous to tell someone we can't prescribe an inhaler but if you experience an asthma attack please call 999 - on top of all the calls 999 are expected to get I need to wait until I have an ACTUAL asthma attack before they give me one?

The only alternative I can see is to book in for one of these asthma reviews so looking to see if anyone can shed some light on what is involved. Do I need to go in person? Does it need to be a GP or nurse. My GP is only doing telephone consultations now and with the latest briefing on the risks to pregnant women I'd rather not be going in to a GP practice and be exposed.

i doubt you'll be offered an asthma review in the current climate. Most surgeries have stopped face to face consultations. Do you not pro actively arrange these on an annual basis? The appt would ordinarily involve seeing an asthma nurse, measuring your peak flow etc

Try speaking to your GP by telephone - I'm sure they'll be more than willing to send over a repeat prescription to their pharmacy to get you out of their hair

Agree with above. My annual asthma review - which was booked for this Thursday- has just been cancelled along with all other face to face consultations. Ring the surgery. They will almost certainly prescribe over the phone.

My asthma review is with a nurse, have to blow into a tube to see how strong my out breaths are, then will ask questions like how do I use the Inhaler and how often. I don't see why it can't be done over the phone this one time though

My last (pre corona!) asthma review was done online :-)

Thanks for all the responses! I will try to book a telephone appointment to start and see what the GP says.

I really really would rather not wait until I have need of 999 as I suspect it would be inundated as it is especially if it can be avoided by me having an inhaler on hand.

I emailed my GP surgery and wanted to order an extra and my review is due and rhet advised my prescription would be authorised as non urgent appointments are cancelled. I'm sure your GP will help.

Have a look online. I did my last asthma review in my GPs website.

Thanks for all the advice!

Got a telephone appointment with the GP and they prescribed over the phone so I have a spare inhaler now (the one I have expires at the end of May) - they will schedule in an asthma review once the practice reopens for normal appointments