I'm epileptic, and take anticonvulsant medicine. I have a regular four monthly appointment with my neurologist, who checks progress, occasionally changes dosages, etc. She then writes to my GP to keep her informed of my condition and organise prescriptions etc. Every month I go to my GP's surgery to pick up a repeat prescription from the reception desk. I've got two days of pills left, so went as usual to pick up my prescription today. I was told I need to have a "review" with my GP before I can have a repeat prescription. I was told it was a standard part of the process when you've had a repeat prescription for a while.
My GP is of course not a neurologist; knows nothing about my condition other than what my consultant tells her, and has never seen me since I started taking my medication. I work away from home a lot (as I will be for the next few days), and have a very busy job, so it's incredibly inconvenient for me - and an utter waste of expensive time for my GP - to have this consultation.
I've complained and made a special request to be given a repeat prescription without a "review". The receptionist said it's extremely unlikely. And the most likely result is that by the end of the week I'll be left without any medication - for a condition where the most likely cause of seizures is withdrawal from my drugs.
How ridiculous.
"Ridiculous bureaucracy at my GP practice"
About: NHS England London NHS England London
Posted by danielr (as ),
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