I'm a long term (25+ year) asthmatic and after a couple of nasty episodes a a few years ago after which my medication regime was changed I've been (touches wood) relatively good. So much so that I'm on a long term repeat prescription for my inhaler that is issued without needing to see the asthma nurse, and I only need see the GP every other year to have this position renewed. But bottom line, I'm on regular medication to control it and therefore on the at risk list for swine flu, hence awaiting the invite for the clinic. Which hasn't come yet despite the NHS saying that the first wave of vaccinations is well underway.
Now my daughter has the swine flu (as best as we can tell, after ticking boxes on the internet) and my wife appears to be heading the same way. So there's a fair bet it's in the house. I called the GP today only to be told that I'm not on their list, because I haven't seen the GP for 18 months and my last repeat prescription was >6 months ago. They give me 3 inhalers at a time ffs so i don't have to keep going back!! And according to the practice manager and the GP I spoke to, they can see that it would be a good idea to go to the clinic they have arranged tomorrow but it's against Health Authority instructions to offer to people who haven't been seen by their GP or had a prescription in the last 6 months. So i can't. I have to make an appointment on Monday next week to see the GP just purely for the purposes of seeing her. That will trigger the process and I'll then get an invite. By which time I'll probably have caught it.
I'm actually pretty annoyed / bewildered that there is seemingly no flexibility, and feel the need to point this out appropriately. Do GP's agree that what I'm being told is right or are the practice pulling me along?
