No big deal, but....

I do believe our health centres/GP surgeries are cracking under the strain. I have been hypothyroid for more than 25 years. In all that time, I have been invited, once a year for a check up (blood tests etc). This year however, to date, I have not been asked to attend and it must be some 18 months since my last check up. I have made an appointment to see the doc in the next couple of weeks.

I have said on another thread that DH and I do not now get called in for review of medication and DH had a letter saying in as many words that it is our responsibility to see that we do.When I rang to make an appointment for us both I was given a telephone consultation in 3 weeks time.

petra if you GP uses computer generated prescriptions there will be a record of that somewhere and at the pharmacy where it was dispensed. I don't know about cracking under the strain but practices certainly seem to be constantly 'refreshing' their admin. At our practice even if any tests results indicate a problem the practice does not contact the patient - 'its the patients' own responsibility the guidance notes say. I do like being able to book appointments on line and usually do so well in advance (I have regular BP and meds reviews). I haven't had to test the system by needing an urgent or emergency appointment. I like being able to tap in to the computer screen when I arrive as well so no more queuing at the reception desk. Our practice seems to be very busy but well organised - no complaints here.

I take several medications on a daily basis for PD and this is permanent unless the Consultant changes the treatment. Recently one of the tablets was removed from the repeat prescription form for no reason. After some hassle (I was getting short) the surgery issued a prescription but it is still not on as a regular requirement so I will have to go through it all again when I need a new supply.
I appreciate that GPs are under strain but my problem is only creating more work.

One of the things that slightly worries me is the repeat prescription system - it just seems to plough on into eternity without anyone ever having the time to review the patient's condition and their need for the drug.

Mishap Our practice is very pro active regarding the repeat prescription system, unnecessarily at times - I order on line. I am constantly getting a note on the counterfoil of the prescription to 'See doctor to review this medication". Grrr... I have done this several times.
First on a phone appointment and I was assured all was now in order.
Still I was again later told to 'Review'....
I did so at an appointment and doc went though my meds. and so all is in order.....
You think !! last week two of my items had 'Please Review' marked against them.
I saw this as I left the Practice and returned to the desk. Receptionist said that whoever writes the prescription just sees that it is pain relief and automaticallty puts it to Review.
What if I made an appointment every time I saw 'Review' ?
What older person may get upset having thought that all had been sorted and then believes it isn't.

daffydil I found that when a medication dropped off the repeat on the computer.... it needed a doc appointment to have it reinstated.

I wish that our practice were as diligent - I do feel concerned about this.

Yes we get recalled every so often to review meds- our practice keeps on top of this.

I appreciate that it may be necessary to review repeat prescriptions from time to time but in my case the consultant sends a report every time he sees me letting the GP know if there is any change in medication. If, as coolgran said, I have to make an appointment to see the GP to have the item restored to the repeat prescription then that is only taking up time when he/she could be seeing someone with a problem.

My own view is that I would prefer GP's to err on the side of caution when it comes to reviewing medication. My own surgery does this very well; I have repeat prescriptions and twice a year I'm asked to go in for a medication review and for blood tests. We can then discuss my meds and whether they are still appropriate etc. in light of my blood results.
My mother on the other hand has been on some medication for years and never had a single review. As a consequence she is now addicted to co-codamol and her diabetes has been left unmonitored because she is on Metformin.

Surely it is not up to the GP to remove from my medications one which the Consultant Neurologist wants me to continue to take for the Parkinsons particularly without at the very least asking me to disuss it with him. On another occasion when the Consultant added a new medication and informed the GP I had to chase it up several times before I got the first supply. Do the GPs never read the reports?

Mishap my drugs are reviewed every 6 months and no review, no repeat prescription! Easy.

I've had it on my prescriptions that only 1 more will be issued without a review but the review never happens and the note disappears.. I can't remember having my meds reviewed but I do go in for blood tests and BP checks regularly whether this is an adequate 'review' I have no idea.