Surgery rant!

[Northerner]

OK, after extolling the virtues of my surgery many times here they've finally gone and done the dirty on me. Just been to collect my repeat and they have changed it from 300 strips to 100 without consulting me. Livid! So, instead of having to order every 6-8 weeks, I will have to order every 12-14 days - NOT! I will be writing them a very firm letter! Grrr!!!! 😡 Of course, they haven't altered my needles or anything else, so everything else will last about 8 weeks. Pointless!

 

[AlisonM]

No explanations offered I suppose? That would be too much to hope for. 🙄

 

[AJLang]

That is extremely annoying. Are you going to ask them to change it back?

 

[Northerner]

No explanations offered I suppose? That would be too much to hope for. 🙄

None whatsoever!

That is extremely annoying. Are you going to ask them to change it back?

I most certainly am!!! What is most annoying is that I had a prescription review the other week and it was not mentioned at all. Not blaming my particular GP for that as she is not the one who changed it, it has been done by whoever signed the prescription. I'm writing to the lead GP.

 

[Cleo]

You have my sympathies! Its completely pointless as they're adding to their OWN work load as well. I know all surgeries work differently BUT are you able to ask one of the Doctors to call you to discuss this? or can you take an appointment to speak to a Dr face to face?. When they've stuffed up my prescription (which is often) I usually call and they get a Dr to call me back to discuss. Good luck!!

 

[Northerner]

You have my sympathies! Its completely pointless as they're adding to their OWN work load as well. I know all surgeries work differently BUT are you able to ask one of the Doctors to call you to discuss this? or can you take an appointment to speak to a Dr face to face?. When they've stuffed up my prescription (which is often) I usually call and they get a Dr to call me back to discuss. Good luck!!

I'm putting it in writing so I have a record, and also because I intend to include information from the Diabetes UK advocacy pack on test strip restrictions:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Advocacy/test-strips-advocacy-pack-0912.pdf

If the surgery are applying this restriction across the board (which seems most likely) then they clearly need educating!

 

[Cleo]

I'm putting it in writing so I have a record, and also because I intend to include information from the Diabetes UK advocacy pack on test strip restrictions:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Advocacy/test-strips-advocacy-pack-0912.pdf

If the surgery are applying this restriction across the board (which seems most likely) then they clearly need educating!

Sounds like an excellent approach ! good luck and please do keep us posted!

 

[Northerner]

This is what I have written:

I am writing regarding the recent decision to reduce the number of Accu Chek Aviva blood glucose testing strips on my repeat prescription from 300 to 100 per repeat. This has been done without consulting me and therefore without knowledge of whether this is appropriate for my needs.

I have Type 1 diabetes and test on average 6-8 times per day. I need to test for a variety of reasons, but have a valid reason for every test, using the information in order to stay safe and maintain good blood glucose control. This is reflected in the fact that I have maintained an excellent HbA1c since diagnosis five years ago. I need to test before administering insulin doses, for cases of suspected hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia, and to monitor the effects of changes to my diet on my levels. I am also a runner and need to test before and sometimes during exercising to ensure my levels are within safe limits. I also need to test more frequently during periods of illness, or when my insulin requirements are changing due to a number of factors thus making insulin dose calculation less reliable. Furthermore, it is a requirement of the DVLA that I test before driving, and during long journeys in order to avoid hypoglycaemia.

Restricting me to 100 strips per repeat will entail putting in a new request every 12-14 days instead of the current 6-8 weeks. All other items on my repeat provide for 6-8 weeks supplies. It is illogical and inefficient therefore to place this restriction on my supply of test strips since it entails not only inconvenience and wasted time on my part, but also extra work both for the surgery and pharmacy, and therefore extra cost to all parties. I feel that this is an unnecessary and inappropriate use of NHS funds.

I would ask therefore that you restore my request for 300 Accu Chek Aviva test strips and issue me with an amended repeat prescription. If you wish to discuss this further, please contact me

Have I missed anything? 🙂

 

[AlisonM]

Nope, I think you've covered anything.

You might, perhaps, ask whether whoever changed the prescription, consulted your usual GP first? If they had, he would presumably have pointed out the short-sightedness and saved you the price of a stamp.

 

[Northerner]

Nope, I think you've covered anything.

You might, perhaps, ask whether whoever changed the prescription, consulted your usual GP first? If they had, he would presumably have pointed out the short-sightedness and saved you the price of a stamp.

I think it's pretty obvious that it's a blanket ban, I doubt if they went to the trouble of assessing individual cases Delivering it by hand when I go to collect the box of strips that Boots owe me from this morning's collection! Makes me wonder actually, as I normally get 6 boxes and they only gave me one, does that mean they are really low on those strips, or is it automatic to give me 50% of requirements when they are low on stock? Would I have been given 3 boxes if I'd still been down for 6?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds good to me.

8 weeks is a bit of a stretch for 300 strips, if 100 will only last you a maximum of 14 days though...

 

[Caroline]

My tablets are another pain in the what we sit on. One lot I get every 8 weeks and another lot I get every 4. I've asked the nurse to change it I've asked the dctor to change it, I've written to the practice manager and still no change. I work full time, so it is difficult to keep trotting down every few weeks to get a repeat prescription, especially as it is a 15 minute walk because no buses stop near the surgey.

 

[Northerner]

Sounds good to me.

8 weeks is a bit of a stretch for 300 strips, if 100 will only last you a maximum of 14 days though...

In practice I use my spare meter for some tests, ordering 50 Freestlye strips as and when - fortunately these haven't been removed from my script as well! So the 300 last me more like 6/7 weeks. 🙂

 

[mcdonagh47]

I think it's pretty obvious that it's a blanket ban, I doubt if they went to the trouble of assessing individual cases Delivering it by hand when I go to collect the box of strips that Boots owe me from this morning's collection! Makes me wonder actually, as I normally get 6 boxes and they only gave me one, does that mean they are really low on those strips, or is it automatic to give me 50% of requirements when they are low on stock? Would I have been given 3 boxes if I'd still been down for 6?

I've noticed that my pharmacy ( an independent) which has been brilliant for 21 years is now giving me owing notes particularly for insulin.
I think it is probably another flavour -of-the-month management strategy idea like the Japanese "Just in Time" which now dominates the economy.
There are spin-offs of Just in Time like DME and Customer-led Inventory. They don't waste time or money carrying inventory/stock until the goods are actually asked for. And they just tell customers - don't wait till the last minute to order. It puts the customer in charge of inventory.

 

[Northerner]

I've noticed that my pharmacy ( an independent) which has been brilliant for 21 years is now giving me owing notes particularly for insulin.
I think it is probably another flavour -of-the-month management strategy idea like the Japanese "Just in Time" which now dominates the economy.
There are spin-offs of Just in Time like DME and Customer-led Inventory. They don't waste time or money carrying inventory/stock until the goods are actually asked for. And they just tell customers - don't wait till the last minute to order. It puts the customer in charge of inventory.

Sounds a likely scenario Although this is one of the things that got me when I agreed to get my repeats via the pharmacy - if they know what is required then why didn't they order it in?

 

[Flutterby]

the pharmacy only had half of my strips today although they said they are being delivered later today so could just be one of those things.

Your letter sounds good to me Alan, it is so annoying and infuriating when they do this. When my GP took over from the old one he automatically did the same, no discussion or anything. Not a good start really - you'd think they'd have a chat and find out a bit more about individuals first. Needless to say he soon got to know me!! Good luck with it.

 

[Northerner]

the pharmacy only had half of my strips today although they said they are being delivered later today so could just be one of those things.

Your letter sounds good to me Alan, it is so annoying and infuriating when they do this. When my GP took over from the old one he automatically did the same, no discussion or anything. Not a good start really - you'd think they'd have a chat and find out a bit more about individuals first. Needless to say he soon got to know me!! Good luck with it.

I imagine it's a lot easier to put out a blanket restriction and then deal with the complaints, but it flies in the face of 'no decision about me without me'

 

[MargB]

When all my meds were reduced from 56 days to 28 days nobody said anything so I went along to the chemist to pick up and laughed when they tried to hand over this small bag. Told them it must be wrong as my meds usually filled a big bag. But no, only one box of each thing and no owing notes. Chemist explained it was a new ruling that surgeries only prescribed for one month at a time.

Had a review with my GP a couple of weeks ago and made a crack that I panicked a bit the first time the drugs were reduced to one month as I thought no-one expected me to need two months! Half joking but her face was a picture.

The explanation is that it is being done to prevent wastage. I would say that those of us on regular meds are the least likely to waste medication, it is those who only take for a particular bug or virus and stop taking them as soon as they feel better. I/we are on meds for life - we take them!

 

[Hazel]

[
The explanation is that it is being done to prevent wastage. I would say that those of us on regular meds are the least likely to waste medication, it is those who only take for a particular bug or virus and stop taking them as soon as they feel better. I/we are on meds for life - we take them![/QUOTE]


I so agree with your comment Margaret. The only wastage I have is the fast amount of packaging you have to throw out. I would love to go back to bottles of pills, instead of bubble packs

 

[MargB]

Oh Hazel, so would I. Some of those blister packs are little blighters and the number of cuts I have had from opening them!