Doctors???

[jennyjoan]

Called into doctors to get my regular prescription hoping that after my "big" letter to her the "asked for medication" would have been on the prescription. Wasn't - asked receptionist did doctor read the letter - she is "scrutinising" the screen "oh it says - doctor will read letter soon" - what do you think of that.

[ummmm]

Depends on what was in the letter and the urgency of it.

[EcclesCake]

Why didn't you just make an appointment rather than clutter up the Drs day having to read a letter from a patient requesting a script that may not suit them. A face to face discussion or even a telephone consult would have been much, much more expeditious for both parties.

[Mamyalynne]

I'd be disappointed too as it was a while ago you sent the letter.

[jackthehat]

Sounds like your GP is busy and will read your letter as soon as s/he is able.

[THEMOTLEY1]

I always thought the Doctor prescribed what the patient required, I've never come across a system where the patient picks their own medicines before, I reckon that could catch on.

[ummmm]

My OH is on a repeat prescription. When we joined our local surgery the doctor refused to issue it without seeing him for a consultation.

[jennyjoan]

@Eccles - how would she know what was in the letter and the urgency of it if she had NOT read it.

@motley - have been prescribed this medication and suddenly one month "stopped".

[hc4361]

Did he prescribe something else instead, jenny?

[jennyjoan]

@Mamy - was sent end of July - having said that she was off on holidays for 2 weeks -

[Mamyalynne]

Having tried the letter route, I do agree that it's now best you go in and ask why this med was stopped and more importantly if it was helping you, why it can't be continued.

There must be a reasoning behind it.

Make an appointment.

[ummmm]

JJ - there is a good chance that it's been read by someone else and they've noted it a non urgent.

Do you think doctors have the time to read every bit of post?

[EcclesCake]

If it is such an urgent need of yours, why write a letter instead of making an appointment?

You seem to have a strange relationship with health professionals, your recalcitrance is making it harder for them to serve you properly.

[jennyjoan]

to be honest - I know this receptionist and it was her that I gave the letter to some weeks ago - and it was the same receptionist today and when she was looking at the screen her answers were convoluted - I said I thought doctor was back last week - oh she was, but she was in for a day then out and in and out all this week - very weak answers - i don't think the doctor got the letter at all.

[ummmm]

Then make an appointment to see the doctor face to face.

[Mamyalynne]

I think you now know the answer - if you want straight answers from the GP, you'll have to do it face to face.

Hope you get things sorted.

[EcclesCake]

Reading a letter, especially one you described as 'big' takes time away from flesh and blood patients. Appointments are typically ten minutes, it could easily take that long to read your prose and then not be able to interact with you.

What did you hope to achieve by a letter versus an appointment?

[Smowball]

If it was urgent I'd have gone into the surgery and explained to the receptionist and said I needed to see the doctor.

[Tilly2]

JJ, you obviously don't trust the receptionist. You need to speak to the doctor face to face. Make that appointment.

[Peter Pedant]

come back later

my doctor has just got a kicking from their surgery inspector/regulator and is going thro a phase of that. things will settle down ...

[Islay]

I don't understand why if you had an urgent issue you would send a long letter rather than spend 2 minutes actually speaking to the doctor.