URGENT-Refused Insulin

[amj789]

Hi-I had made a total of 3 (valid and non abusive) complaints to my GP surgery this year-none of which they responded to. Then I had appointment on Monday-during which I was angrily ordered to leave the practice because of the complaints and because I had asked on a local Facebook page for recommendations for a new GP. It was shocking after being there since 2007 (previously zero complaints made in all that time).
The new practice I registered with said I have to get at least a months supply of all meds before they can prescribe for me...but my old surgery are behaving very poorly- ignoring my requests for Insulin for over a week now. I am going to run out and do not know what to do? Is there any other source I can be prescribed Insulin from. Desperate here-hope someone can help
Thanks

UPDATE-I have insulin again!!! My daughter was so furious-she rang the Practice Manager and asked if a preventable death would be good media for them....next thing..there is a prescription for me...
What a shame both surgeries didn't seem to care....

 

[mrspuddleduck]

Who at the new practice told you that? I would make an urgent appointment at your new GPs, take a copy of one of your old GP prescriptions and explain in person that you need a script for insulin or you'll run out. I know how stressing and upsetting this situation must be but if possible avoid criticising your old GP to your new one. Rightly or wrongly, first impressions last!! Good luck, Sue xxx

 

[amj789]

Who at the new practice told you that? I would make an urgent appointment at your new GPs, take a copy of one of your old GP prescriptions and explain in person that you need a script for insulin or you'll run out. I know how stressing and upsetting this situation must be but if possible avoid criticising your old GP to your new one. Rightly or wrongly, first impressions last!! Good luck, Sue xxx

I totally agree with you- I have not-and will not-share details/specifics about my former surgery to anybody-just want to leave and forget all about it.
It was the receptionist who told me...
A good idea to make an appointment-but I wont be their patient for a week from yesterday when I handed in my registration..going to run out before then unfortunately. Will try again with the new surgery-Thank you

 

[mrspuddleduck]

Phone them and tell them the receptionist that you are really sorry and you know you are only just registering with them but you are an insulin dependent diabetic and a problem has arisen with your insulin. The receptionist shouldn't query that and should give you an emergency appointment with either a GP or the diabetic practice nurse. At my practice the very least they would do is get the diabetic nurse to phone me back. If its like mine, you will have to call about 8.30 am to get it sorted the same day. Sue xx

 

[muggle666]

could you not phone the diabetic clinic and speak to a nurse there and explain, they may be able to help you out, mine have been great with things like insulin and bg strips, i would certainly try hope you get this sorted very quickly, good luck x

 

[poohtiggy]

Just spoken with my daughter (NHSempoyed) & she says as soon as you handed your registeration in you became a patient and could at that time have made an appointment to see a gp. It's only two days to weekend so you need to contact them. The receptionist has no power to decide whether or not you can see a doctor, just tell them you need an emergency appointment and it's private, you do not have to explain yourself to receptionists

 

[amj789]

Thank you-receptionist said I was not a patient for a week-but anything is worth a go at this point! prtty scary to think I could end up without any...
Many thanks

 

[amj789]

could you not phone the diabetic clinic and speak to a nurse there and explain, they may be able to help you out, mine have been great with things like insulin and bg strips, i would certainly try hope you get this sorted very quickly, good luck x

Im going to try every single suggestion in the morning-and surely one of them will help-thank you

 

[amj789]

Phone them and tell them the receptionist that you are really sorry and you know you are only just registering with them but you are an insulin dependent diabetic and a problem has arisen with your insulin. The receptionist shouldn't query that and should give you an emergency appointment with either a GP or the diabetic practice nurse. At my practice the very least they would do is get the diabetic nurse to phone me back. If its like mine, you will have to call about 8.30 am to get it sorted the same day. Sue xx

I had already told her it was for my insulin-she shook her head and said i had to get if from former GP-not a great start witha new practice-but will try again-might get a different person!

 

[poshtotty]

I have no knowledge of insulin but I have in the past run low or out of other meds and my chemist has given me an emergency supply, after phoning my surgery and getting them to fax a prescription through. The promise of a prescription by fax was enough for them to dispense the prescription on the spot. This might be another option for you - and let the pharmacy sort it out with the surgeries.

Don't worry. There has to be a solution

 

[Gaz-M]

worst comes to worst you will have to go to your hospital and explain there, hopefully it will not come to that

 

[muggle666]

i would ask to speak to the manager at the group practice and explain to them at both surgery's, they have a duty of care to patients and they must adhere to this by law. other wise they are breaking their own code of practice and this could result in you being very ill. the receptionists seem to be a law unto themselves and think that they are above reproach they are not, you could also ask for a telephone appointment with a gp if they cannot see you, hope this helps x

 

[tim2000s]

Personally I would turn up in person, thump the receptionist and find another practice. If the receptionist is that stupid about critical conditions, what can you expect going forward. They should at least have offered an emergency appointment (as is standard in other practices I have used when forgetting insulin).

 

[donnellysdogs]

A bit hard sometimes to het to speak to a Practice Manager.. May need a bit of gentle perseverance to do so.

 

[rosserk]

Hi have you thought about ringing 111 and explaining your predicament? Or calling in at a drop in centre and explaining the problem you have. They should be able to access your medical records and see that you are I salon dependant. 111 usually take all your details and then pass the information to a doctor who calls you back the NHS doctor can even call your old practice for you. Hope you get it sorted soon you must be really stressed out which is going to impact on your health.

 

[ButtterflyLady]

One of the features of a good complaints system is that people can make complaints without fear or favour. Once your insulin is sorted, I would take this matter further with the health complaints body you have in the UK. In NZ there is an independent Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner and people can contact them and things get sorted out really well. It's completely out of order the way you have been treated.

All the suggestions above are good ones. I hope things gets sorted quickly and easily for you.

 

[Rob2006Scott]

Don't you just love medical receptionists! My DSN has written a prescription for me and this was dispensed at the hospital pharmacy. Good luck.

 

[ickihun]

I also thought that once you'd signed up to your new dr they owe you duty of care. Goodluck and persist. Very upsetting to hear this still happens in 2015.

 

[amj789]

One of the features of a good complaints system is that people can make complaints without fear or favour. Once your insulin is sorted, I would take this matter further with the health complaints body you have in the UK. In NZ there is an independent Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner and people can contact them and things get sorted out really well. It's completely out of order the way you have been treated.

All the suggestions above are good ones. I hope things gets sorted quickly and easily for you.

Thanks CatLady-I will certainly be raising this incident to a higher level-cannot believe the attitude from the receptionists
I updated the original thread-as I now have insulin! Phew

 

[amj789]

I also thought that once you'd signed up to your new dr they owe you duty of care. Goodluck and persist. Very upsetting to hear this still happens in 2015.

Receptionists seem to be a law unto themselves!