Gaps in HRT as unable to get GP appointment!

[watersign]

Just that really.

It's almost impossible to get an appointment here. Same day system where you call at 8am. I'm right now currently 40 something in the queue so won't get anything when I'm eventually through.
I called and explained to the surgery (after the scrum for appointments), nothing available to pre book, so I managed to get a temporary short term supply of HRT to give me more time to secure an appointment.

I'm coming to the end of that now and I still haven't been able to book anything. The last gap without HRT gave me an extra period of bleeding and the return of hot flushes. So what do I do? Can I buy it online does anyone know?

why do you need a GP appointment, I order mine every two months by filling in a slip at my surgery, I haven’t been in contact with a Dr for years.

Just say you need another supply of hrt. If needs must get blood pressure done at a chemist

Why do you need to see them? Can’t you do a repeat?

You can buy online if you have an active prescription, my daughter did this when HRT supplies were patchy. It’s expensive but might tide you over.

Pharmacist may give emergency supply.

have you tried e consult or getting clarification of what info they want? If you are stable and happy they may o my need bp and weight which you can submit

Not sure if any easier but could you get a nurse appointment? When this happened to me, The surgery booked me in with a nurse who can issue the same prescription again as a tide over.

My surgery has a repeat prescription eform that I just fill in every couple of months. Does yours have a service like this? I only speak to the nurse (with a special interest in the menopause) not even the Dr about HRT and only perhaps once a year.

They won't let me. That was the first thing I tried. They tried to order a repeat prescription but contacted five days later (while I was waiting and checking with the pharmacy) and said I need a review.

I’ve got mine on a repeat prescription and message the surgery through the Patient Access website when I need some more. You can get it sent automatically to a nominated chemists so you don’t need to physically pick up the prescription.

Also, why have you left it until you are going to run out before trying to make an appointment?

I buy it online. I buy 6 months and pick up my repeats from the gp as normal. After last year I don’t want to risk not having it. I certainly didn’t mention I buy it privately. Any box that says I give consent to pass my info to my gp (or whatever it says) I leave unchecked.

Can you explain what's happened before?

Legally, all meds need an annual review- including HRT.

Some women get a review after the first 3 months.

You should get 3 months supply (at least) at a time, and then an annual review.

If this isn't happening contact the practice manager.

I buy it online. I buy 6 months and pick up my repeats from the gp as normal.

I don't know what you mean.

Do you buy 6 months privately and also get 6 months on the NHS from your GP?

Buying privately is hugely expensive, online.

I think people are missing that the OP has already had one month's HRT since she needed a review. I'm sure they'd do a further one but they can't continue to provide them.

I would go onto the surgery (or phone or email) and speak to the receptionist, ask them to send a note to the on call GP.

I think people are missing that the OP has already had one month's HRT since she needed a review. I'm sure they'd do a further one but they can't continue to provide them.

A review could be by phone perhaps?

@watersign Is what the PP says right?
Were you given a month's supply and then told to book for a review and the month has now gone?

Also, why have you left it until you are going to run out before trying to make an appointment

Please don't! I haven't. I've been unable to get through. The emergency supply was supposed to give me more time to try to get through. I'm now running out of that.

How much emergency supply did you get?

PP is correct, but reviews, phone or in person, still have to be booked same day. I have been trying but in desperation am considering trying to buy some.

I have a two week supply left currently. I could phone again tomorrow morning but it will be the same thing I should think.

Practice pharmacists can do medication reviews - or at least mine does. You might find they are easier to get an appt with.

Practice pharmacists can do medication reviews - or at least mine does. You might find they are easier to get an appt with.

hardly any practices have on site pharmacists.

@watersign You're just going to have to keep redialling all day every day OR can you submit an e-consult form then the drs will read it and offer you a phone appt or ask you to come in?

As an aside, I've never had a review in coming up for two years. They keep asking me to, but still prescribe regardless. I just reorder on the app, and also have the HRT cut price form, so it costs me practically nothing.

Can't you go to reception and say this?

Is there NOTHING available in advance? I can see appointments on patient access at my surgery, even though they are three weeks hence.

Can you do an econsult and get them to call you?

If you have two weeks' supply left I would try calling for a review appointment on Friday 22nd.

I work in a GP surgery & the final working day before Christmas is always quiet. People tend to only phone if they have urgent issues, infections etc, hardly anything routine.

Trust me, with us it's the easiest day of the year to get an appointment.

Hi OP - Have you looked at your GP practice’s website for an eConsult option? At my surgery it’s not exactly in prime position so you might need to hunt around. That lets you add your weight, b.p., and any concerns and might be what counts as a ‘review’ nowadays.

There are lots of online pharmacies that will prescribe you HRT...I have ended up doing this a couple of times due to local shortages of patches. Its not particulalry cheap but might be worth a one off? Just google 'buy HRT online' or similar.