Care Opinion

Why do we end prescriptions on Fridays?

Posted By happily752

"Why do we end prescriptions on Fridays?"

About: Ashley House / Substance Misuse Service

(as a service user),

I went to the chemist 3pm on friday afternoon to pick my prescription, the chemist advised me that this was the last day and I would need a new prescription for tomorrow.

By the time I got the bus fare together, it was to late to get to Ashley House and there was nowhere to go for help until Monday morning.

I know it was my responsibility to make sure my prescription was sorted out, but with everything else that is happening its easy to lose track.

If my prescription had ran out on any other day I would of been able to come to Ashley House and get help. I have been doing alright and sticking to my prescription, I could of done without this.

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Responses

Response from Philip Gibson, Team Manager, Community Drugs Team 14 years ago
Philip Gibson
Team Manager,
Community Drugs Team

Submitted on 03/11/2010 at 09:15
Published on Care Opinion at 00:00

Prescriptions can start on any day and it is probably coincidental that yours was due for collection on a Friday. Some people actually prefer collecting on a Friday or Saturday due to other commitments during the week or they ask to collect on the same day they get paid for example.

I would ask that you speak to the worker who co-ordinates your care and request a change to your collection day which is more convienient for you.

If you have any problems again out of hours you can also phone the Ashley House help line 0845 601 1500 for support.

Your question has prompted me to reminded all our staff to ask our service users what day is better for pick up so thanks for taking the time to post this opinion.

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Response from Steve Eastwood 14 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Steve Eastwood

Submitted on 04/11/2010 at 11:06

Ashley House also provides a 24/7 helpline (0845 601 1500) which can be contacted outside of office hours. whilst this service cannot replace prescriptions, it should be able to provide you with some helpful advice to keep you safe as well as alerting your caseworker to your situation once Ashley House is open again.

I will speak to all the managers at Ashley House to ensure that everyone who uses the service is made aware of the Helpline.

Halton DAAT

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Response from Philip Gibson, Team Manager, Community Drugs Team 13 years ago
Philip Gibson
Team Manager,
Community Drugs Team

Submitted on 12/01/2011 at 12:48
Published on Care Opinion on 13/01/2011 at 00:00

Your posting has been really helpful to us in that it has resulted in on-going discussions both within Ashley House and the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust which provide the prescribing services within Ashley House.This has included Dennis Dewar the Trusts Patient Advocacy co-ordinator taking an interest in what you said and ensuring we are as adaptable as possible in ensuring that prescriptions do not end for clients on days which result in difficulties for them if there has been problems such as with collection.

The points I have made in previous responses to your question are sill relevent and we have to adhere to clinical guidelines to ensure safe prescribing ,especially at the start of treatment, however our Doctors will now change prescriptions as necessary so that they do not end on a Friday.

We are also informing people that now there are two chemists,Boots in Widnes and Lloyds in Runcorn that are open over the weekends offering seven day pick-up which will be helpful.

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Response from Dennis Dewar, PALS Co-ordinator, 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust 13 years ago
We have made a change
Dennis Dewar
PALS Co-ordinator,
5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust

Submitted on 18/01/2011 at 09:37

Thanks for taking the time to make us aware of this problem.

As you can see from Phil Gibson's comments above, our doctors will no longer write prescriptions that end on a Friday. This will mean that no one else will have the difficulties you did.

I think your posting is a great example of how we can improve our service by listening to those who use it.

Thanks again

Dennis

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