What is the BMR?
It is a personalised review of a patients medication and chronic disease (diabetes, asthma, COPD, heart disease etc.).
Why are we doing this?
To improve the efficiency of our review process and to streamline patients care. It will also reduce the amount of appointments patients need to attend as all conditions will be reviewed during the one annual review appointment.
How does it work?
We run searches to identify patients who need a review based on their medical conditions and the medications on their repeat prescription. To evenly distribute the reviews throughout the year, we have chosen to base this on their birthday month.
We will contact a patient in advance to invite them to book a review in the month in which their birthday falls. We will do this by text message, letter or phone call so advise all patients to ensure we have the correct contact details and these are kept up to date.
Some conditions will require patients to have a blood test as part of the review. This should be done before the formal review to ensure we have the results available and to reduce the need for the patient to return again. Patients will be advised at the time of booking an appointment if a blood test is required. Any further appointments required will be booked at each appointment.
Why a patient may be contacted?
Our searches will identify patients that require a review of their medications and/or their chronic diseases.
If patients do not think they are due, it may be we believe they are overdue or there are items outstanding. We would ask that patients do not ignore the invitation but to contact us in this instance so that we can discuss this and update our records if necessary.
At busy times of the year we may call a patient in early to help to minimise the wait for appointments.
What If a patient does not take any regular medication?
If a patient has been invited for a review but do not take any regular medications, it could be that they are not taking some of the medications on their repeat prescription. We would ask patients to contact us in this instance so that we can look into the matter and ensure our records are up to date.
It could also be that your phone number is registered to a relative’s notes and we are trying to contact them. We ask that patients still contact us when they receive an invitation so that we can ensure the contact details we hold are accurate and up to date.
Do patients need to bring anything with them?
A number of patients will need their blood pressure checking. If it is raised we will ask them to come back for a repeat or check it at home.
If a patient already checks their blood pressure at home, we would ask them to monitor their readings over a week and bring them to their appointment.
Please use the Home Blood Pressure Diary to record your readings.
Some patients, including diabetics, will need to bring a sample of the first urine of the day in a white top bottle.
If a patient uses an inhaler please remember to bring them and any associated devices (e.g. spacers) in with them to their appointment.
Why some patients may not be contacted?
We will only contact a patient when they are due or if we think they are overdue.
There are occasions when we are regularly prescribing medications that are not on repeat. In this case each time the medication is requested it is reviewed by the practice Pharmacist or a GP and we will notify patients when we want them to attend for review. Please note this message may be on the white page of the prescription.
If a patient still thinks they are overdue and have not been contacted, we would ask that they contact reception for more information. Patients can also ask at their pharmacy for any review messages to ensure these are forwarded to patients as required.