My GPs surgery has changed the way they do repeat prescriptions. As well as by phone, or in person, we could previously do it via a form on the website.
But now the website form has gone, and there’s a “repeat prescription portal”, for which you need a password.
You get the password via the GP surgery.
I was at the surgery today, collecting a prescription which I’d phoned in.
“And can you register me for the online prescription service”.
“We’ll need to see photo ID. Driving license or passport or similar”.
I looked through my wallet. Employer’s ID card. Train season ticket. Gym membership. All with photos, but not good enough. Credit cards, debit cards, National Insurance card, blood donor card, tesco club card. None good enough. Needs to be a driving license or passport or similar.
“So why do you need the photo ID?"
“To prove who you are, to allow you to use the online prescription repeat service”.
“But I don’t need ID if I order one on the phone, or if I put a paper form in the box?"
“That’s right”.
“And when I come to collect the prescription, like I’m doing at the moment, you just ask my address, and don’t need ID?"
“Yes”
“And I’m actually here at the moment to see the doctor, and he’s probably going to intimately examine me, then stick needles in me and give me some expensive drugs - and you don’t need ID for that?"
“That’s correct”.
“It’s all a bit daft isn’t it?"
“I suppose so. Can you bring your driving license next time and we’ll register you for the online service..."
But now the website form has gone, and there’s a “repeat prescription portal”, for which you need a password.
You get the password via the GP surgery.
I was at the surgery today, collecting a prescription which I’d phoned in.
“And can you register me for the online prescription service”.
“We’ll need to see photo ID. Driving license or passport or similar”.
I looked through my wallet. Employer’s ID card. Train season ticket. Gym membership. All with photos, but not good enough. Credit cards, debit cards, National Insurance card, blood donor card, tesco club card. None good enough. Needs to be a driving license or passport or similar.
“So why do you need the photo ID?"
“To prove who you are, to allow you to use the online prescription repeat service”.
“But I don’t need ID if I order one on the phone, or if I put a paper form in the box?"
“That’s right”.
“And when I come to collect the prescription, like I’m doing at the moment, you just ask my address, and don’t need ID?"
“Yes”
“And I’m actually here at the moment to see the doctor, and he’s probably going to intimately examine me, then stick needles in me and give me some expensive drugs - and you don’t need ID for that?"
“That’s correct”.
“It’s all a bit daft isn’t it?"
“I suppose so. Can you bring your driving license next time and we’ll register you for the online service..."