Pregnancy is a time of anticipation, excitement, and—let’s be honest—a fair bit of navigating the quirks of our healthcare system. As I prepare to welcome my second child into the world, I expected a few hurdles along the way. Morning sickness? Check. An expanding wardrobe of stretchy clothing? Double check. But what I hadn’t anticipated was the sheer frustration of collecting my prescription, a sentiment I'm sure many of you can relate to, thanks to the outdated process of handling consultant prescriptions.
It started simply enough. My consultant at the hospital prescribed a change in dosage for my medication, assuring me that it would be available at the hospital pharmacy. Unlike prescriptions from my GP, which I can collect from my local pharmacy, consultant prescriptions can only be dispensed by the hospital pharmacy—adding an extra layer of complexity to the process.
The maternity hospital isn’t exactly around the corner for me. It’s a 30-minute drive on a good day, so when I made the journey to collect my prescription, I expected a straightforward pickup. But when I arrived, I was met with a familiar look of confusion from the pharmacist. They could see that a change in my medication had been requested, but the paperwork hadn’t arrived. No paperwork, no prescription. And just like that, I had made a completely wasted trip to a part of town I only travel to for my maternity care. This not only wasted my time and energy but also added unnecessary stress to my pregnancy journey.
I left frustrated, knowing I would have to repeat the whole process, but what choice did I have? The system still relies on physically running the prescription down to the pharmacy by hand. In a world where I can transfer money instantly, order groceries with a tap, and track my food delivery in real time, why is my prescription still being ferried around like an old-school memo?
The root of the issue? A lack of seamless communication between primary (GPs, community pharmacies) and secondary (hospitals, specialists) care. Each operates within its own system, and unless you’re willing to act as the go-between (which, trust me, is a full-time job), you’re at the mercy of miscommunication and administrative delays.
This is where Ellescope comes in. Ellescope is working to bridge this divide, ensuring that patients don’t have to bear the burden of coordinating their own care. By streamlining records across health systems, Ellescope is helping to create a single system where in the future, relevant data does not vanish into the void, referrals don’t get lost in translation, and patients—especially expectant mothers—get the care they need, when they need it.
So, here’s to fewer wasted trips, a little less frustration, and a future where healthcare actually feels as connected as it should be. And in the meantime, I’ll be here, bracing myself for the next prescription adventure—hopefully with fewer detours this time!
- Naomi
