Nutritional drinks on prescription

Just looked on Ebay - you can buy them loads cheaper there.

Hi Nat,  My husband was given high energy, nutritionally complete 'Fortisip' milk shake style supplement drinks when he was in hospital and when he was discharged his GP wrote a prescription for about  £80 worth!  They come in lots of lovely flavours.  Pester your GP - your Nan needs them and she is ENTITLED to them on FREE prescription!  Debs xxx

This link appears very good for fortifying food.  http://www.cuh.org.uk/resources/pdf/patient_information_leaflets/PIN1477_how_to_fortify_food.pdf

Hi Nat

We had the same problem with my dads GP who told me 'he couldn't possibly supply Ensure as it wasn't in his policies and guidelines!!!' I spoke to the district nurse and then his oncologist who was the one who prescribed them, he was furious! After several heated discussions with the GP he eventually did a prescription, when families are under pressure with the dreaded C you do not need to be fighting GP's! When I then went to Boots to pick it upm the pharmacist told me that they have several patients who they deliver hundreds to each month and a huge amount get wasted as they don't like all the flavours!!

Go over your GP's head if necessary, they are all too worried about money and have lost sight of the real job they are paid to do!!

Good luck

Terry

Cant understand why G.P will not prescribe. If  your mum ends up in hospital due to poor nutrion the cost of care wil be much higher. If she has a mac nurse get them involved they can put pressure on G.P.

My mum could not eat solids so lived on build up drinks  I know her case may differ because the radioth caused the problem. She did however get them prescribed as well as peg feed supplied. If you have more than one G.P in your practice see another they will probably prescribe..

Hi

You and your nan should not be placed in this predicament.  My partner was prescribed fortis sip supplements when he was having treatment. Does your nan have a Macmillan nurse if so get them to fight for you.  We had a referral to a  district nurse when he was needing help managing his sickness after chemo and they were great--so does your nan have a district nurse.  I found that it is hard work and you have to be persistent but in the end you find the right person to help you and it all falls into place.  So don't give up .

It is awful really how some GPS think..

If it helps I did do some calculations last week as I was trying to think of ways to build up my dad until the doctor actually mentioned the ensure drinks you mentioned a couple days ago.

Slimfast ( yes I know seems weird but it is a meal replacement) make up with full fat milk works out to be the same calories as Ensure.  You can also add some evaporated milk to increase it even more.

Sainsbury are doing the tins for £2.98 just now and you have to add the milk but it makes 12 drinks.   I know it is not what you want to do but I thought I would offer this as an option as I was doing it myself last week.

All the best x

Hi all,

My hubby needs 'fortisip' for recovery, vanilla flavoured as that is the only one he likes! The GP won't prescribe but will supply an alternative which he doesnt want. However, he is very lucky to be at The Marsden, Sutton and they will prescribe it whenever he needs it. I would suggest you all try your hospitals... though I realise The Marsden is special. Why is it all about money??

Hi Nat,

we are also on the drinks you mentioned, as you say they have great whilst we go through chemotherapy to help support appetite. Our GP has been great , so have no problems, don't understand why your GP is saying this, definitely worth fighting it , suggest you get your macmillan nurse involved.

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