GP surgeries closing and contraceptive prescriptions...

[EMacCoffee]

Hi, I don't know if this is the right place for this but I just don't know what to do really.

Does anyone know what will happen if GP surgeries are forced to close (which many already have) and you need a refill of a contraceptive pill prescription?

It may be a silly question but as someone who's very anxious about this whole thing my mind has found another thing to focus on today.

GP here. While many surgeries are technically “closed”, we’re all still there (or working from home if self-isolating) but just not seeing any patients unless absolutely necessary. I’ve been on the phone to patients all day and we’ll all still be doing repeat prescriptions. You shouldn’t have a problem. Good luck.

@Onemorehitandillcrumble can I ask a question about prescriptions please? Mine automatically goes to my a pharmacy electronically but last time they didn't have my pill and couldn't order it. The backed it out (I had another item on it) and I phoned around until I could find the pill but because I didn't have a paper prescription the new pharmacy had to search on the system and I was waiting about 45 minutes until they found it.

I can't change the nominated pharmacy online, I have to phone the surgery and of course by then it's too late! Is there any way around this? Would the surgery post me a paper prescription? (I know you won't know how my surgery operates, I was hoping for an idea!)

The only place that always seems to have it is Pharmacy2u but I've been told they aren't that good.

I'm due a new implant in June, fingers crossed there's some relief to the current GP situation by then. If not we'll just have to make do with condoms.

@Standrewsschool it's not an emergency, no, but some women - like me - take hormonal contraception to manage endometriosis or other gynaecological conditions. For me, getting the pill has much more serious consequences than having to use condoms.

Thank you everyone! Your messages are very reassuring. I'll ring them (seems I'll have plenty of time to do it as I'll be at home lol).

Before I posted this I pretty much knew that someone would say it wasn't an emergency, use condoms etc (that's why I was slightly worried about posting this). But thank you for all the help.

Our surgery had asked people to call and they will get a telephone appointment to decide if they get to see a doctor.

I was due to have my implant changed this week but cancelled as I'm coughing and self isolating. GP did a prescription over the phone for the mini pill until I can go in, obviously can't collect now. Not the end of the world and my GP was very helpful.

Will your pharmacy deliver @Stellaris22?

@PinkSparklyPussyCat
You could request a paper copy -our does not post them out unless you provide an s.a.e though. Could you speak to your nominated pharmacy in advance & say you are putting a request in & ask them to check their stock situation before ordering? That way you will know if you need to go through the hassle of contacting the surgery to change where it’s sent to.
If your pharmacy constantly struggles to get them though it might be worth permanently changing. It must be very stressful having to do all that checking & running around.

I guess the pharmacy could, it's literally just down the road. But it really doesn't feel right to request it when they are probably stretched right now. If it was for my asthma then I definitely would ask.