Flu jab rules changed in my area.

dreamdaisy

I rang my GPs today to find out why, for the first time in twelve (or possibly more) years, I had not received a letter about my annual flu jab. The reason shocked me.

It was routinely sent out to asthma sufferers in August (I have asthma, I use a reliever and preventative as needed) but due to the action of the humira and meth in smothering my over-active immune system I do not need the preventer anywhere near as much. As a result of this I have not 'ordered' it from my repeat prescription list for some while so according to the new PCT guidelines in my area I am no longer classed as asthmatic - ergo no letter.

I then explained about the humira and meth but because these are prescribed by the hospital and NOT the GP I am not listed as being immuno-suppressed so again, no reason for a letter.

I am being 'done' on 26 October, and from now on I will have to request the flu jab: the surgery also requires physical evidence of my meth habit, so I shall take the syringes with me on that day. They will not put this in my notes as the meth etc is not their 'concern' (as she put it).

If I had the energy I would be arguing (about what I am not sure ) but I don't so I won't. I am peeved however, if I hadn't thought to chase this I could have missed out altogether. It's not that I cannot think for myself ('cos I can, and sometimes do) but please, any of you out there who have not had your usual letter or whatever, do chase it up. Your PCT could have changed its rules and you may not be aware. DD

PS I always want to put TCP!

cebeem

received an invitation for the jab today...never had one before.
So looks like its changing the other way here.

cebeem

an offer to get one done that is......not just by opting not to have one.

mig

Hi DD,hubby and i had flu jab last week,after hubby had his stroke i got flu jab for free as i was his carer at the time,i was not old enough at the time nor had i got arthur,this time new nurse doing the jabs gets on her high horse wanted to know why i was getting jab as you have to be 65,so me getting on my high horse(much too hubbies discomfort)told her as i was on immunsurpressants i got to get the jab,oh thats alright then,talk about ajobs worth i could have smacked her being the lady i am walked away with a look of distain.Mig

tjt6768

I've got mine booked for friday.. Janet's is next week I think. Neither got a letter.
Janet for her heart thing and I've been having mine for years because of the liver thing.

Least they could have done was tell people the system was changing DD.. Bloody silly.

Mig, Ra said he'll lace her tea with a small amount of laxatives tonight

stickywicket

I'm not sure it's the PCT (but I prefer TCP), DD because, in ours, they seem to vary enormously. I, and Mr SW (because I am immuno-suppressed so he mustn't get flu) also haven't had our usual letters but, when he went to have stitches out and I went for a routine blood test, we were offered them on the spot.

Two other 'geriatric' couples in different practices in our PCT, were just told to turn up on a specific day and queue. (One queue was round the block.)

cebeem

I'm years away from the 65 mark so I wonder what has changed here? ....I will investigate the criteria in my area at my next appt..and let you know.

jillyb1

Here in Brighton , I am never "offered " my flu jab . I have to go and request or beg for it and my hubby had to point out that as my carer , he needs to be flu free too . Surely it's in their interest to ensure that those of us at risk of fluey infection should be protected ? Jillyb

salamander

Hi DD, you have highlighted a problem here that I have encountered too. It is not clearly marked on my notes that I am on immunosuppressants. I recently saw a junior doctor at the surgery for an infection who looked disbelieving when I said I was on Cimzia. She couldn't find a record of it and was v unsympathetic. To say that the Mtx is not their concern is negligent as you need more care, not less.

Also, I was once refused a repeat prescription of one of my painkillers as I 'hadn't asked for a repeat for 3 months.' I had to argue with one of the doctors to get it. My own GP is brilliant and pretty much gives me anything I want.

cacyhi

I had my flu jab done on wednesday. Ive been having them now for over 15 years because before I went into remission flu would always trigger a massive RA flareup.
I've changed docs since then, about 10 years ago but I still just ring up at the beginning of september and ask them to book me in and they just do it (had the pneumonia one a couple of years ago too,)

Do they view RA differently to arthritis, do you think? I dont actually know if other forms of "arthur" are auto-immune like RA but everyone on the kind of drugs I hear members talk about must have compromised immunity???

I think unfortunately its one of those things that really varies from area to area - coz my docs surgery were virtually pulling people in off the street for it this week!!! They even had receptionists wearing bright yellow T Shirts with some slogan on it and bunting hanging up over reception reminding people to book an appointment :!:

dreamdaisy

Thank you all for your replies. The lady at the surgery told me that the TCP had changed their guidelines earlier this year, and they are changing something else too in the very near future: all prescriptions will only be for a month's supply, so gone are the days of three months of sulph and dullers, I will have to renew every month. They do like to tinker with things that aren't broke, don't they? What a bunch of bored busybodies they must be: we will justify our tedious existence by making your health-compromised one more complicated than necessary. Twerps.

You raised an interesting question there, cacyhi, OAers are not immuno-suppressed as their version of arthritis is not an auto-immune caused one. As an attempt to define OA the term 'wear and tear' is often used, though that in itself is not accurate. If you have RA, PsA, PA, AS etc then the chances are you will be on the immuno-suppressing drugs and therefore more vulnerable to infection. DD

Sudden thought: Flu jab at 9am on a Wednesday, I usually do my meth on a Wednesday but my hospital insisited I miss the meth if I was having my flu jab - result! Who am I not to follow their guidelines? It's Friday, must remember the FA.

hileena111

Hi
Yes there is a difference and this is my first flu jab....{because I've reached THAT age } nothing to do with me having OA
I had to turn up to a clinic ....sorry cant remember who mentioned that....and the queue was all round the surgery and out the door where you book appts. along the hall and outside. Wonderful....thank goodness its only once a year
DD you mentioned PCT/TCP or whatever rules changing??? I moved GP's recently and from geting about 3 months supply of tablets from the original GP it went to 28 days....I assumed it was because it was a different GP and have been meaning to ask her but its not been top priority at the minute I must remember to ask her when I next see her.
Love
Hilena

theresa4

HI DD and anyone else this relates to

My GP noticed this a few years ago as I have no other reason for flu jab other than being immuno suppressed but all my suppressing meds including my injectable MTX come from the hospital.
HIs answer to this was to put all my hospital meds on my repeat prescription and stated as hospital prescribes or hopsital provides. That way my notes bring up I need a flu jab but also it checks when other GP's are prescribing that there are no interactions between the hospital drugs and GP prescribed drugs. He felt it was a necessary move to ensure my safety.
Maybe you could bring it up with your GP.

Love Theresa x

salamander

Thanks for that tip Theresa.

DD, I only get a month's prescriptions at a time now. And because I've started things at different times, I usually have to do a prescription run twice a month! I've tried to get them synchronized but not possible. I was even refused one drug by the receptionist as it wasn't due to run out for 5 days :roll: So I had to go back two days later to put it in again, and then two days later to collect. I'm going to switch over to the pharmacy collection service.

Of course, the three month to one month switch is to generate more money from those who pay for their prescriptions. It is a pain in the neck though.

dreamdaisy

The payment thing isn't a factor for me as I use a prepayment certificate: I wondered if it was more to do with stopping people stock-piling and not using meds. DD

stickywicket

I've only ever had a month's supply at a time except when I've asked nicely because I was going away. A friend in a nearby practice gets hers in 3 monthly ones.

julie47

I rang to invite myself for the flu jab which I will have in november, (made it november cause I was hoping the op would have been over and done with, I may have to delay it further.)

Rich has never been offered the flu jab, even though he is my carer.
Lisa and Rich (when lisa lived at home) were offered the first swine flu jab but only lisa had it because she was at uni.

juliepf x

cacyhi

I wish I had got a pre-paid certificate for my prescriptions this year - I have had so many since my op (where they keep changing the dosage and switching meds, its cost me a fortune - along with hospital parking fees (dont get me started !!!!)

I pay for my prescriptions but I dont think that matters in relation to how many months supply you get - I think it depends on what the drug is. I think it has a lot to do with "overdose amounts" with some drugs. I have only ever had 2 months of anything at one go and when you go onto something new only one month.

Having said that, when it is clear you are on-going with certain meds that are not likely to be changed, especially when gettin to the docs and chemist can be a problem seems riduculous. I suppose there is a "policy" and no one is allowed to be the exception at times, even if it makes sense. You have to be so careful you dont run out as you have to factor the turnaround time for 'scripts at the drs and figure in weekends and bank holidays and the fact that they may be out of stock at the chemist!!!!!! Nightmare (plus you have to put a letter/form in, you cant do it by phone either!)

sugarbuttie

I had my first ever flu jab on Monday (plus pneumonia which has rendered my right arm sore for a week).

I said, "Will you send me a letter this time next year to remind me I need another?" Nurse replied, " Oh good god no! You'll just have to remember that they are done every October and ring to make an appointment."

So.....if I don't call them...they won't call me!

I can understand they must be saving a helluva lot o money by doing this. Why then can't they just TEXT everyone instead of posting letters? Get everyone to provide mobile no at first flu jab....text them year after to tell 'em next one due. I know some folk will have changed their nos but lots of people will have moved house as well.

Technology seems to have evaded the nhs. Takes em 4 weeks to type letter to my GP telling her what tablets to give me..

Get 'withit' nhs....you are the only govt service to operate on such antiquated systems of ...LETTERS......hardly ANYONE writes them!!!!!!

hileena111

Dont forget that there are a lot of older people that dont have a mobile. Or if they do its for emergencies only....calls from them to someone.
My mam is 88 ...has a mobile, I've put in the family numbers for her, the taxi numbers that she will need when she is out {usually needs a taxi at least one way when she is out.} anyone else she has asked me to.
She rarely turns it on and if she did wouldnt have a clue how to access texts.
Doesnt matter how many times we have shown her....shes happy to be able to call someone if necessary.
I'm sure shes not the only older person like this.
Dont forget we think of people getting the flu jab as from young upwards beacause some are in that at risk bracket.
Think outside of the forum.....how many people arent at risk, but from 65 they need the flu jab but arent completely sure of all the ins and outs of texts. I'm not in an at risk category.....so this is my first one. If they text me OK but the last generation is a different kettle of fish all together
I'll get off my hobby horse now. It just makes me mad when things like bills are so much cheaper online etc etc or you get e.mail adresses for firms if things go wrong {ok mostly theres a telephone number as well} As you know that doesnt bother me ...if i can e.mail rather than phone fantastic but onece again that last generation where a lot of them dont have computers and cant use them if they did.
Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

I don't mind having to remember, but I do worry about the fact that, because my GP does not prescribe the H&M, it is therefore not recorded on my notes so if I do find myself in hospital somehwere and unable to speak for myself - cor! imagine that! - and the hospital rings my GPs surgery they will only get part of my meds story. Next week I will laminate a small card, detailing my meds etc, and keep that in my purse at all times, along with the humira card and just hope someone spots it if I am in dire straits. I could put summat on my phone too, couldn't I? That would make sense. DD

hileena111

You DD?????? Unable to speak.....that will be the day

Love
Hileena

theresa4

DD ask your gp to add them ro your prescribed meds list he/she can note supplied by hospital.

dreamdaisy

That was what I did and was told it was not possible. I asked why and the resonse was 'We don't prescribe them so they won't go oln your notes.' :roll: I should be seeing my GP next week (if I can get an apppointment with her) so I will ask her to add the H&M. I hope she will/can. DD

theresa4

dreamdaisy wrote:

That was what I did and was told it was not possible. I asked why and the resonse was 'We don't prescribe them so they won't go oln your notes.' :roll: I should be seeing my GP next week (if I can get an apppointment with her) so I will ask her to add the H&M. I hope she will/can. DD

It's ridiculous that one gp can but others can't at the end of thE day if your gp is off sick and you are ill it's important others know you are immunosupressed. I was prescribed antibiotics by a locum doc because my notes show immuno suppressed. It's common sense. Hope your gp has some DD x

dreamdaisy

I think she has Theresa, but I will be more than happy to sit on her lap until she complies! (She is the slenderest little thing imagninable and I am not.) DD