Medication reviews

Author
Discussion

rolex

Original Poster:

3,116 posts

265 months

Monday 4th July 2022
quotequote all
I've been on repeat prescriptions for a number of years blood pressure and statin tablets. Usually see the practice nurse every couple of years for a med review. Suddenly everything has changed the review is now over the phone. How the feck do they check my blood pressure over the phone? Is this a cost cutting thing? Should I complain?

Vasco

17,377 posts

112 months

Monday 4th July 2022
quotequote all
rolex said:
I've been on repeat prescriptions for a number of years blood pressure and statin tablets. Usually see the practice nurse every couple of years for a med review. Suddenly everything has changed the review is now over the phone. How the feck do they check my blood pressure over the phone? Is this a cost cutting thing? Should I complain?
Have they actually said that they'll check BP over the phone ?. Isn't it just a *review* - i.e a discussion as to how you feel, any concerns, weight, exercise etc ?. Many with high BP use their own monitor at home and they may assume you have one too.

anonymous-user

61 months

Monday 4th July 2022
quotequote all
Vasco said:
rolex said:
I've been on repeat prescriptions for a number of years blood pressure and statin tablets. Usually see the practice nurse every couple of years for a med review. Suddenly everything has changed the review is now over the phone. How the feck do they check my blood pressure over the phone? Is this a cost cutting thing? Should I complain?
Have they actually said that they'll check BP over the phone ?. Isn't it just a *review* - i.e a discussion as to how you feel, any concerns, weight, exercise etc ?. Many with high BP use their own monitor at home and they may assume you have one too.
Very possible with your last point.

My review is phone based now just to make sure I’m having no I’ll effects from what I take. I’d prefer that than having to go to the surgery tbh.

Onelastattempt

442 posts

54 months

Monday 4th July 2022
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My blood pressure review consisted of a text message to go to the surgery and pick up a form to record my blood pressure twice in the morning and twice in the evening for 7 days, then hand it back in . When I handed it back in they then said the pharmacist would call me to discuss my medication and and told me this would be on 18 July at 11 am.
This is my first review for three years because basically my GP surgery shut its doors due to covid , but still cannot get a face to face with a doctor or practise nurse.
My asthma review consisted of phone call from a practice nurse who basically asked me if I was still managing my asthma well, lasted less than two minutes.
I managed to give myself an umbilical hernia last August, and it was quite tender so as it was a Saturday got an appointment with the out of hours Surgery nearest to me by phoning 111.
They saw me within an hour , knew what it was straight away and told me they would have to inform my GP who would arrange an hospital appointment to see a consultant. On the Monday morning a phone call from my GP surgery from one of the doctors there said they agreed with the diagnosis and would arrange for me to see a consultant.
My GP surgery seems to have gone completely hands off and are leaving all the work to other people.

tonyvid

9,875 posts

250 months

Monday 4th July 2022
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I had a text for my last couple of medication reviews(BP and Statin) - to online-submit some blood pressure readings and my current weight, and to also follow a link for a blood test at the local hospital. Last time it must have seemed ok as I got a text a couple of days after the blood test to say that he had reviewed and keep it up for another 11months. Well there you go...

anonymous-user

61 months

Monday 4th July 2022
quotequote all
Onelastattempt said:
My blood pressure review consisted of a text message to go to the surgery and pick up a form to record my blood pressure twice in the morning and twice in the evening for 7 days, then hand it back in . When I handed it back in they then said the pharmacist would call me to discuss my medication and and told me this would be on 18 July at 11 am.
This is my first review for three years because basically my GP surgery shut its doors due to covid , but still cannot get a face to face with a doctor or practise nurse.
My asthma review consisted of phone call from a practice nurse who basically asked me if I was still managing my asthma well, lasted less than two minutes.
I managed to give myself an umbilical hernia last August, and it was quite tender so as it was a Saturday got an appointment with the out of hours Surgery nearest to me by phoning 111.
They saw me within an hour , knew what it was straight away and told me they would have to inform my GP who would arrange an hospital appointment to see a consultant. On the Monday morning a phone call from my GP surgery from one of the doctors there said they agreed with the diagnosis and would arrange for me to see a consultant.
My GP surgery seems to have gone completely hands off and are leaving all the work to other people.
Without wishing to state the bleedin obvious, have you been assertive on the calls? I only ask as my GP surgery is just like yours BUT on the couple of occasions where I was not happy with a phone consultation I caused a bloody massive fuss on the phone and get seen.

They are ducking useless on the whole though.

Chromegrill

1,100 posts

93 months

Monday 4th July 2022
quotequote all
Without you having had the review you don't know how the nurse intends to review your blood pressure. Aside from attrnding the surgery, most pharmacies will check it for you on the spot if you ask them to, just for starters, and you can tell the nurse the result. Some people have their own machine. And there are times where you might want to be kitted out with continuous monitoring machine for 24 hours.