Moved to UK. Dr. refusing to prescribe meds

[SoDiana]

HI there,
I'm in a bit of a tizz. I have moved over from Ireland and have registered with a GP practice here. GP here, despite getting fax of my prescribed meds from my GP in Ireland, refuses point blank to prescribe my meds until he receives a detailed history from my GP in Ireland. Apparently they can't get through to my doctor today.
Basically, I'm on two anti-depressants and 2 other meds for other conditions. If he doesn't give me my meds today, I will be 5 days going cold turkey off my anti-depressants by Monday. This is potentially lethal for me as it has taken literally years to get my meds to a point where my condition is stable.
What in God's name can I do?
Urgent advice required!!!

I cannot see how you are going to develop a therapeutic relationship with your new doctor - will you stay with this surgery?

Glad you're getting sorted but I think the GP was right to be cautious. Especially when it comes to medications for mental health they just can't take any chances. It's not a vendetta. He's just doing his job and I'm sure he was trying to do his best for you.

It's a relief you've managed to reach a compromise to get you over the weekend though. Things really can get messy from a health point of view when you're moving country.

When we visited the UK recently dh had forgotton to bring his medication. We phoned NHS direct who told us to go to the doctor on call (it was weekend), and she prescribed enough meds for our holiday.

Good luck with the crisis team.

It's not withdrawal symptoms I'm worried about. It's feeling suicidal without it that worries me.

I think your GP is being ridiculous (and I am a GP). I've prescribed agomelatine, it's not a red drug where I am. They should continue to prescribe and refer urgent to psychiatry if they're worried about it. Waste of a crisis team referral. Could you try a different GP? Either within the practice or different practice?

I asked to be referred elsewhere today but was told that because I am now registered with this GP, nobody else could prescribe for me.

His refusal for Prozac was ridiculous. Agomelatine may be a bit more problematic but like jarof above I would have tried my best to sort something out for you and I would have taken you on as a temporary resident whilst trying to sort out your documents. Welcome to UK general practice which is falling apart at the seams.

The GP would have been right to be cautious... But he wasn't being cautious was he?

He was refusing to treat her. He was being dismissive and refusing to engage with the patients medical needs and the situation at this moment... Or planning for the future. That's not cautious, that's unprofessional.

He was refusing to prescribe even the very standard Prozac, and making the patient jump through impossible hoops for no reason (as its clear he has no intention of prescribing).

He then refused to take responsibility for the consequences of his decision to refuse treatment.

He left a very vulnerable person (who has said she's attempted suicide over 100 times) without the only medication which has stabilised her mental health... Over the weekend, without any support or under any kind of care, without any kind of plan or alternatives.

It sounds like he only referred the OP to the crisis team to get rid of her, or certainly under pressure from her.

I'd say that was being incredibly risky, not cautious at all!

Might be worth a complaint to PALs. I'd be terrified at anything more than 24 hours with no Prozac personally let alone anything else.

You can always change GP at a later date.

Did the crisis team sort you out, OP?

I hope you've got what you need now.

Would a private prescription from your Irish GP be accepted here? Does your Irish GP also have a GMC number? Maybe speak to a pharmacist here. If they will accept a faxed private prescription, then at least you can get enough meds to see you through the next few days.

tywysogesgymraeg

"Valdoxan is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history."

That warning is generic and added to all medication pages on the NHS medicines guide. There is nothing special about Agomelatine.

I don't understand why the OP GP is being so difficult really, if he has the letter detailing prescriptions from the Irish GP then why place additional hurdles up for the OP. Crisis team referral seems like a waste of time if the OP is stable on her current meds then she just needs them continuing and maybe a routine appointment to review at a later date.

How you doing today?

Hope you're alright OP.