"Left without medication again"

Since the last incident, I have run out of medication at the weekend again. I was supplied with what a nurse from the ICS assured me was 2 week's worth of medication on in early Feb. I duly made an appointment for the next week with my GP to arrange for a further prescription which will not be a repeat as the meds have been changed.

However I discovered in mid February that I was on my last dose. Concerned that I had taken too many on a previous day or had mislaid some, I checked the box. The box stated 36. I take 3 tablets a day, so this would last me 12 days, not 14days.

I had to contact NHS Direct in order to see an out of hours GP. I got a prescription for 6 tablets, but was subject to a rather humiliating scolding that I must have taken too many tablets, and I should have checked my meds properly. I didn't argue - they were just a person at a computer. I am used to being treated this way.

To cut a long story short, I was left to find an open chemist, pay for a 2 day prescription, and the costs of taxis. Please don't tell me to buy an annual prescription card because that is cheaper. I do, but it is still money.

I would like to ask:

1. How much money has all this cost the NHS?

2. Why do I have to be the 5th person with final responsibility to ensure my medication supply is correct? The prescription was issued by a doctor. The box has two trained pharmacists' signatures, then went through the hands of a trained nurse.

3. Who has the various notes that either corroborate or not what I was told verbally? If I take notes, will they be deemed accurate?

4. Who is in charge of all this?

5. I live alone. If I were to be seriously ill through a lack of attention to the concept of duty of care, would it be put down to my long-term psychiatric condition and hence a clear conclusion that I am also mentally incompetent? I do trust this second story demonstrates I can at least count, read and write.

Finally, two things

1, Thank you for referring me to PALS, who provide a good service but is unfortunately only available during office hours Monday to Friday.

2. Well done to the doctor who reduced my prescription for diazepam. This is good medical practice. As I don't find them addictive, it is of no matter to me. But it is also good medical practice to inform the patient, in the same way that it is good practice to ensure that non-addictive and essential medication is supplied. in sufficient quantities.

Apologies for the length of this. I thought it would be helpful to explain in detail.