FAQ
- You sent me an appointment reminder and I texted back to ask you to change it. Nothing happened!
Appointment reminders are automated and while the text back facility exists and you can cancel your appointment, it is not able to book one for you. If you would like to be able to manage your appointments online, please sign up to Patient Access.
- I am going away for 4 months and requested my repeat medication. You only gave me 2 months’ supply. I need my medication!
Unfortunately, our prescribing guidelines do not accommodate 4 months’ of prescribing medication. If a patient goes abroad for more than 3 months, they should ensure to source their medication in the foreign country either via local health services or purchase. GP practices are not obliged to prescribe more than 3 months’ supply of repeat medication.
- You have changed my medication from 3 months to 1 months! I cannot afford the prescription charges. You are the only GP practice in Brent that does this!
The practice follows guidance from Brent CCG and the BMA when issuing repeat prescriptions. It takes into consideration patient safety (monitoring long-term conditions) as well as demands on the NHS. Medicines shortages also mean that practices are requested to issue prescriptions for shorter frequencies to even out demand and ensure adequate supply for all who need these medications. We often hear that pharmacists tell patients they were not aware of these changes. Brent CCG assured us that community pharmacies are advised of these changes. The NHS Low Income Scheme is able to help patients who have difficulty paying for services. https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/ or https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/get-help-with-prescription-costs/
- I am not registered with a GP and I need urgent help.
We appreciate that regitering with a GP can take time the forms need to be processed and acknowledged by NHS England. Patients often only register with a GP when they become ill and this can mean that there will be a delay to routine care. People still have access to medical services even if they are not registered with a GP practice. The following options are available and further details can be found on https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care/nhs-out-of-hours-services/
- NHS111 / NHS111 Online
- Urgent Care Centres (UCC)
- Accident and Emergency Department (A&E)
- Walk-In Centre
- Minor Injuries Unit