Does anyone else in the UK have to constantly jump through hoops to get their ostomy supplies despite their stoma not going anywhere?
I am constantly chasing doctors for prescription approvals. Why on earth must it be reapproved every month when I've had a stoma for nearly 4 years?
Once upon a time I could just order what I needed when I needed it from Coloplast charter. Now I'm always waiting and chasing.
No. I know it depends on the area you live in how you have to order repeat prescriptions. My GP practice doesn't have anything to do with repeat prescriptions. I order mine through Patient Access online, and they send it straight to my local pharmacy, as that's where I choose to get my ostomy products from. I put my latest order in last Thursday night and had a text from my pharmacy Saturday morning saying it was ready to collect.
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Well, I hit the two year mark. I went back and read my posts from when I first found this site. I was very fortunate in that I stumbled upon it only 4 weeks post op. I have said many times that this community really saved me. The first 2 weeks after my surgery I shut down completely. It wasn't until about the 3rd week that my son came in to my room, flicked on the light and told me I was going to have to get back to living because I was scaring him. I had fallen into such a depression. He ticked me off, but it also made me stop and think- what was I going to do? Feel sorry for myself and sulk, or be grateful I was alive.
I've re-read my journals from that time and it was after my son kicked my butt, so to speak, I took an honest inventory and had to dig deeper than I've ever had to. I mean, I had survived a pretty nasty divorce, after a pretty crappy marriage and that was tough. But this was different. I felt like I was now a handicapped person who would be limited in their life and be looked at as a freak. My mental state was precarious, at best.
But then I found this site. I just lurked a bit before posting. I read so many of the other stories and I started to see just how full my life can be, I was not handicapped, and certainly not a freak! The stories of survival, the sense of humor, the support and compassion was inspiring. It was then I made myself get out of the dark, and get my sh*t together.
Not all rainbows and sunshine at first, hardly! But with grace from myself - to myself, and the kindness and willingness of the folks here to be supportive, non judgemental and openly share intimate details about their life circumstances, l not only survived but thrived.
I think of all the years I had suffered with such extreme pain, barely functioning, and the many hospital stays and how that is all behind me now. (All fingers, toes, and legs crossed that I never have to go near a hospital for myself ever again. I think I'd rather have a fork stuck in my eye. I loathe every about them.)
So, to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me, to say thank you is not enough. I'm forever grateful to know you all. My Angels, each one of you.
And as the Grateful Dead famously said,
"what a long strange trip it's been!"
Im so happy I'm tripping with you all.
I think the problem might be with your GP surgery. I use Coloplast Charter and they are very quick and efficient at sending the order. However, they always explain that they need to get the prescription authorised by the surgery before they can ship it. I therefore presume that my surgery is quick at doing their bit.
Best wishes
Bill
I use Respond for my supplies. I send my orders electronically, but the problem is when they have no stock, nobody contacts me. There have been times when I've been down to 3 pouches.
I am in the UK and the company my NHS provider uses is Fittleworth. I had problems for months, waiting weeks for delivery with no notification. On calling the company, they always said it was due to difficulty obtaining the prescription from my GP. My stoma nurse then gave me the number of their liaison with Fittleworth and after speaking with her, every delivery has arrived on time. Could you speak to your stoma nurse about it? I know how incredibly stressful it is.
I ring Charter when I need my order - it is on my prescription - and I've never had an issue (so far...10 years)...live in Wales...
I'd been using Fittleworth but was not especially happy with them. It takes an age to get through to place an order and usually about 2 weeks to deliver. When challenged, they would always blame the GP. My surgery is always pretty fast at approving things and has never rejected a request for any of my stoma supplies.
I stopped Fittleworth and started using the local pharmacy I use for my meds. They can usually get what I need delivered within 3-5 days. They're within walking distance so if there's a problem, I can visit them in person. I like being able to support a local business too.
I have all my stoma prescriptions on the NHS app so I just order electronically, the surgery approves it and sends it over electronically to the pharmacy which saves time.