It is frightening to read that this "prescribed medication" affects so many people. Quite apart from the health implications, such a waste of money for the NHS with unnecessary medication being given. These are obviously very high hidden costs. I cannot remember why I am taking some of my medication. When I spoke to the Pharmacist the other night, he told me why I am taking one of the medications that the chemist had queried. When he told me, I remembered. But on my own, I don't think I would have known - too long ago! Dave's medication was under constant review and got changed frequently.
I do get what they call 'reviews' every so often, but until now my medication has stayed the same. My next review is due in six months, and the Pharmacist agreed to sort out not only the specific medication, but also the amounts I get each prescription. They all finish at different times and I am having to request repeats roughly every two weeks. Stupid! He asked me to get a list of the amount of each I have left, and he will give me an interim prescription to bring them all in line. I did ask for this once before, but nothing happened. By the time this is due, hopefully I can have a proper face to face appointment with this guy rather than trying to sort it out on the telephone.
My GP practice was very modern - before the fire! In a very large purpose built building with lots of clinics running on a regular basis and nearly always at least six doctors taking appointments at every session. Also, a visiting surgeon did small operations. I had a toenail removed once, much quicker than waiting for a hospital appointment. Dave had an operation there for Dupuytren's contracture, and later a carpal tunnel operation. Such a useful facility. Hopefully this facility will be restarted, which will ease the hospital waiting lists a bit.
The Pharmacist chap told me the other night that whilst loads of their equipment was not damaged in the fire as such, they had to scrap everything due to smoke damage as they could not rely on any results this equipment gave them. As all the doctors use personal laptops, I assume that all patient records are okay. The chemist is in the same building, next door, although you can get in through the surgery. Also an optician. One of the now retired partners owns the piece of land this was built on and got mega bucks in rent. I assume he is still around and has been busy checking his insurance documents! It seems the fire actually started in the chemist's.
Yesterday, through the day, my arm got much worse. I had trouble taking my sweatshirt off when I went to bed! But - this morning, I can hardly feel it! Yay!
Mark called me last night. It seems both he and Juliet have registered with a new agency, and have been allocated new jobs together in the same location. However, they both had to take a Covid test before starting. Mark was just warning me in case the results come back positive. I am not sure what this will mean for me in view of the fact that I have had the vaccination. From what I can gather, this vaccination takes about two weeks to become effective. If he tests positive, I will call 111 and ask for guidance. It doesn't really bother me about isolating, as I have not been out anywhere since before Christmas until Wednesday when I went out for the jab. Worrying for them though, as they will not be able to work. As agency staff, they do not get paid when they are not working. The results will take about five days they have been told. So fingers crossed.
There are rumours today about giving people testing positive £500 if they have to isolate and cannot work. But, as always when these things crop up, you have to be in receipt of certain benefits before this will be paid. It seems that if this is agreed, they are hoping it will encourage more people to take the test.
Maisie
