Waste in the NHS
Discussion
Don't know if this should be in the Health Forum but, as it's not about a Health issue really, thought I'd post here first.
I have a regular prescription for inhalation capsules for COPD. For each new prescription I get a new inhaler when I can still use the current one.
I've just this morning placed a new prescription and, in the comments section, stated that I didn't need a new inhaler as I had one.
Just had a call from the Surgery to tell me I had to have a new one as "They are included automatically" and it can't be stopped.
The Surgery Receptionist agreed that they are not needed for each new prescription and that the Pharmaceutical company was making even more money for something not needed. No idea how much they charge but would cynically imagine it's way more than a vac formed piece of plastic costs to make.
I was told by a friend that whenever his Daughter orders her prescription which is administered using an Eppi Pen (sp?) she gets a new pen, again, not needed.
Given that thousands of these types of prescriptions are filled every day, how much more is this costing the NHS, who state they are short of funds?
I have a regular prescription for inhalation capsules for COPD. For each new prescription I get a new inhaler when I can still use the current one.
I've just this morning placed a new prescription and, in the comments section, stated that I didn't need a new inhaler as I had one.
Just had a call from the Surgery to tell me I had to have a new one as "They are included automatically" and it can't be stopped.
The Surgery Receptionist agreed that they are not needed for each new prescription and that the Pharmaceutical company was making even more money for something not needed. No idea how much they charge but would cynically imagine it's way more than a vac formed piece of plastic costs to make.
I was told by a friend that whenever his Daughter orders her prescription which is administered using an Eppi Pen (sp?) she gets a new pen, again, not needed.
Given that thousands of these types of prescriptions are filled every day, how much more is this costing the NHS, who state they are short of funds?
MyM2006 said:
The NHS unfortunately is very wasteful in most areas, my sister in law who is a Matron at a West London hospital recently told me how frustrated she was at her request to have a noticeboard installed for staff use.
Took 3 months to install and cost £300, this is a simple cork board screwed to a wall! Whoever agrees to maintenance contracts like that needs to spoken to, just like the wastage for items being duplicated just because its easier to prescribe a complete set..
My sister also worked in the NHS. Seems contractors see a cash cow and pluck a figure out of the air. Whoever signs off the contracts really do need sorting but, hey, it's not their money. Same as councils!Took 3 months to install and cost £300, this is a simple cork board screwed to a wall! Whoever agrees to maintenance contracts like that needs to spoken to, just like the wastage for items being duplicated just because its easier to prescribe a complete set..
I do actually feel strongly enough about this to fire off an e mail to my local councillor. Don't hold out much hope though!
mp3manager said:
It's not just patients who miss appointments.
I had a CT scan booked for a Monday morning at 10am. But I was admitted into A&E on the Friday night, had a blood transfusion, told the nurses and the doctors about my CT scan appointment and even showed then the letter. No problem they said. Reminded them all through the weekend. No problem they said. Come Monday morning, nobody came to take me down.
It was on Tuesday morning that I was eventually taken down for the scan and they said they didn't know I was in the building over the weekend. Got home and the very next day, I got a rather harsh letter threatening to stop my treatment due to me 'missing' the Monday appointment.
Really Hope you kicked up a fuss and named names?!? I've had similar before when I cancelled a Doctors appointment due to being so full of Flu, I honestly couldn't make the appointment for an un related issue. Thankfully, I made notes of time / date/ and the name of the receptionist who 'recorded' my call and cancellation! Got an apology, but they wouldn't put it in writing! Still get the 'daggers' stare when I see the receptionist in question! I do wonder how many times she's done it though?!I had a CT scan booked for a Monday morning at 10am. But I was admitted into A&E on the Friday night, had a blood transfusion, told the nurses and the doctors about my CT scan appointment and even showed then the letter. No problem they said. Reminded them all through the weekend. No problem they said. Come Monday morning, nobody came to take me down.
It was on Tuesday morning that I was eventually taken down for the scan and they said they didn't know I was in the building over the weekend. Got home and the very next day, I got a rather harsh letter threatening to stop my treatment due to me 'missing' the Monday appointment.
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