Even after all this time you can still send me a fax

[venta]

Aww. When large institutions try to engage with the modern world, it's quite cute.

This morning I rang the doctors' surgery. "Hello," I said, "I want to order a repeat prescription, which I think you now prefer me to do over email. How do I register for this service?"

The receptionist who'd answered ummed and erred for a bit. Then she ahhed. Then she asked me to wait a moment. Then she came back on the line and ummed a bit more, and asked me to hold again.

Eventually she came back on the line and asked: "Do you have a fax number?"

I said no, I didn't. She erred some more. Eventually, she took my phone number so she could call me back to explain the prodecure to me.

She just phoned back. I was braced for a fairly intricate registration process. It turns out that what I have to do is send them an email them stating which prescription I require.

She's now given me the "email number" and I'm all good to go.

Comments

[venta.livejournal.com]

Actually, on second thoughts - I used to request prescription repeats by dropping a handwritten note signed by me through their letterbox out of hours. Since I don't think they've ever asked for a specimen signature from me, this email method isn't significantly worse!

[snow-leopard.livejournal.com]

Lets just hope you don't get any exciting drugs that someone may want to steal!
As there are clearly flaws in the system!

[venta.livejournal.com]

Well, if you hear of a surplus of prescription-only antihistamines on the streets, let me know!