Visiting UK - forgot a cardiac prescription refill. WTD?

[Wadeski]

Asking the advice of PH doctors / pharmacists

I m not UK resident (so not NHS registered) but just landed for a two week holiday in London.

My kid is a cardiac patient, and we were meant to pick up a refill of his Spirinolactone, which is compounded for oral dosing.

We have the bottle (4 days supply left) with the Rx sticker on it, but what is the best route to getting him a fresh prescription i can pay out of pocket for here?

I have a statement of all his conditions (HLHS, Fontan physiology) from our cardiologist so hopefully someone wont try to diagnose from first principles...

[Jamescrs]

I am neither a Doctor or Pharmacist but my first thought would be to call NHS direct on 111 and seek some advice directly, it may be they can direct you to a drop in centre who can assist.

[Arrivalist]

I’d go to a pharmacy and explain the situation. They should at least be able to give you some advice on how to solve this.

[s p a c e m a n]

Spironolactone buy online | Doctoronline https://share.google/RrOBlcAli8pbBII3A

You might be able to get a prescription for it and have it sent next day from one of the online doctor websites, I can normally manage to get most normal things without having to go to a proper doctor. Google is your friend.

[OIC]

Walk in centre or A&E.

Needs to be prescribed by a Dr and you will probably have to pay as it will technically be a private prescription, but I wouldn't expect that to happen.

It's a cheap enough old school diuretic so no one is going to get excited about letting you have a top up.

[Wills2]

Loads of private doctors in London I'm sure you'll be able to get an appointment within a day, explain the situation and walk out with a prescription, if it were me I'd want the situation resolving within a day so you can get on with the holiday, the NHS is lottery so it could be an enormous farce which I'm sure you didn't go on holiday for.

You can probably claim it all back on your insurance as well.

[foiled]

I would go to an Emergency Department of a large hospital, preferably one with a children’s cardiac unit, they’ll potentially have the spiromolactone in liquid form

[PoorCarCollector]

foiled said:

I would go to an Emergency Department of a large hospital, preferably one with a children s cardiac unit, they ll potentially have the spiromolactone in liquid form

Do not do this, obviously!! It is not an emergency

[gangzoom]

Wadeski said:

Asking the advice of PH doctors / pharmacists

I m not UK resident (so not NHS registered) but just landed for a two week holiday in London.

My kid is a cardiac patient, and we were meant to pick up a refill of his Spirinolactone, which is compounded for oral dosing.

We have the bottle (4 days supply left) with the Rx sticker on it, but what is the best route to getting him a fresh prescription i can pay out of pocket for here?

I have a statement of all his conditions (HLHS, Fontan physiology) from our cardiologist so hopefully someone wont try to diagnose from first principles...

You can get most medications through a private prescription however Spiro isn't a like prescribing Mounjaro, there are life threatening potential complications especially in Children as it's off licence so I doubt your find any doctor willing to prescribe it without seeing your son in person.

Given his on Sprio I'm going to assume he really needs it due to LV dysfunction so you will need soon. EDs in the UK are staffed mainly by residents doctors - They are not going be writing out Spiro for a paediatric patient without senior review and guidance, it wouldn't be a quick in and out. The fact you aren't a UK resident will also mean the foreign visitor team will get involved as they will bill you for the ED visit.

Finding a private GP appointment is going to be your best bet, I don't know London at all interms of private GPs but Google should give you the answers and I'm sure there is loads around. I would be looking to book into to see someone ASAP.

Edited by gangzoom on Friday 20th March 05:20

[gangzoom]

OIC said:

Walk in centre or A&E.

Needs to be prescribed by a Dr and you will probably have to pay as it will technically be a private prescription, but I wouldn't expect that to happen.

It's a cheap enough old school diuretic so no one is going to get excited about letting you have a top up.

In a paediatric patient with heart failure....You are braver than me if you are willing to put your GMC number to a private script for Sprio for a child you haven't seen in person or know the history.

[Wadeski]

Thanks - i connected with GOSH cardiology on whats app and have private apt this morning. Should be sorted!

[OIC]

Wadeski said:

Thanks - i connected with GOSH cardiology on whats app and have private apt this morning. Should be sorted!

Sounds good.

Do they want to see your child?

@gangzoom - this isn't a new prescription, but a repeat refill in a paediatric patient already under the care of a paediatric cardiologist.

Obviously, part of the discussion that the prescribing Dr in the UK has with the parents covers the fact that the drug is being prescribed under those circumstances.

That also gets documented during the consultation.

[Wadeski]

Yep, all sorted and prescription filled. Visited the private clinic at GOSH this morning with kid for a checkup with the consultant dr. I used a VPN to get around EPIC s geofencing and print his current meds list and records.

For the NHS whining thread appointment cost: 200 quid. Prescription: 136 quid. And thats for the generic! From the manufacturer it would have been 300, for a 30 day fill.

Of course, through NHS it would have been a tenner

Edited by Wadeski on Friday 20th March 17:00

Edited by Wadeski on Friday 20th March 17:00

[gangzoom]

Wadeski said:

I used a VPN to get around EPIC s geofencing and print his current meds list and records.

Glad to hear it's sorted. NHS acute cafe trusts are sadly still way behind on the IT. Most NHS hospital still rely on paper records, many still on paper drug charts!!!

It's frankly an embarrassing state of affairs in 2026.

[Sheepshanks]

Wadeski said:

Yep, all sorted and prescription filled. Visited the private clinic at GOSH this morning with kid for a checkup with the consultant dr. I used a VPN to get around EPIC s geofencing and print his current meds list and records.

For the NHS whining thread appointment cost: 200 quid. Prescription: 136 quid. And thats for the generic! From the manufacturer it would have been 300, for a 30 day fill.

Of course, through NHS it would have been a tenner

For a kid (unless you "kid" is adult age) it would be free.

Can you claim the cost back on travel insurance?