Getting help within the NHS

We need more autistic GPs out there.  I think that would be my dream to have an autistic GP.  I might not have to explain myself all the time when I'm finding symptoms hard to describe or I need stuff writing down because I'm half way into a shut down.

I hear you.  I find this difficult especially as I forget stuff.  I only take Lanzoprole from my hiatus hernia, but even so forget to take it, forget to order it until near the wire, then there are the delays... It used to be so much easier when they did three months at a time.  I then had a month's to remember it in and generally managed.  You can do it by e-mail these days via the POD.  That's easier than making a phone call.

If I were you, I consider changing GP though.  Obviously no GP can get around the "computer says no" issue for you, but they should not be treating you like that one the phone.  It only shows that they have no understanding of autism.  I had one like that, who told me to get an advocate and when after I had to put in hours and hours work of work finding that (mega strain on my executive function) then refused to make an appointment save by ringing at 8 in the morning....errrr just precisely HOW did they think I could actually use this busy advocate who has clients other than me in the day then?  Defies all logic never mind the lack of understanding of autism.  They had no concept of how hard it is for me to make a call to them at all.

But they are building a new medical centre outside my house, so I've just changed for logistical reasons.  When I changed I asked what knowledge the staff had about autism.  "None" they said but encouraged me to sign up with them.  They were so sweet.  The health care lady who registered me wanted to know all about the journey I had to diagnosis and what that means for my health care.  She made a longer appointment with one of their doctors who also really wanted to know.  They seem very amenable to reasonable adjustments for me.

So much depends on attitude and willingness to listen.

I know this pain.  I've not found a good solution.  It's even worse with the shortages because it makes the chemist as well as the GP unreliable.  The chemist doing the ordering only used to fail if the GP was unable to prescribe for some reasons (need a review or test).

My only suggestion would be to try talking to the receptionist as though they are the doctor.  They can often organise a prescription without you needing to talk to the doctor and if they can't do this, they would have little choice but to arrange an appointment.

I hate this about the NHS. No matter how many times I explained to my GP that when she prescribes me 18 weeks of contraceptive pills, and the system doesn't allow reorder until 5 calendar months have passed, that's going to be a problem, she couldn't do anything about it. Computer said no. "You'll just have to come in for reviews more often" was the best she could suggest.

I've since switched to a different pill and buy it from pharmacies using their online doctor services, which is a lot easier and less stressful. It's a shame you can't do that for all medications.

The NHS's insistence on phone calls being the only acceptable means of communication is awful too. It basically says to people who can't use phones, "we'd really rather you f off and die because accommodating you is inconvenient."

I'm a retired GP and autistic. It is a problem that most meds are only given as 4 weeks now. Your surgery may have an online ordering system, where you can see your medication dates ( when last given etc) and you can ask for your local chemist to order it for you, which they will do at a certain regular date, but anything can go wrong. It used too be easy to speak on the hone to sort things out, but not now