Christmas in summer and a fortnight away

Something I got right was asking my pharmacy to hold stock for me when supply was uncertain, which they were happy to do.

This is the honest version, and the honest version is harder to write.

My honest report is that the care has been good, the supply has been the difficulty, and both are better than they were.

I found the cost without assistance substantial and the conversation about alternatives worth having early rather than late.

Something worth knowing: the arrangement in New Zealand is different enough from Australia that comparing them confused me for months.

My reviews are six-monthly by video and I have not been into the practice in a year, which suits me entirely.

I would say ask about the authority process specifically, because it was straightforward once somebody explained the sequence.

Just marking that I read this properly rather than skimming it.

Supply was genuinely difficult for a stretch and my pharmacy managed it by telling me honestly and early, which was all I needed.

Coming back at two years to say it has been steady, that the supply problem passed, and that telehealth was the thing that made it workable.

The listing criteria here are specific and published, and reading them properly answered questions I had been asking people for months.

Marking that I am here, in case that counts for anything today.

Nothing here is medical advice and the arrangements differ between the two countries and between states, so please check locally.

Something worth knowing: my review interval was extendable given the distance, and it was granted the moment I explained.

What I would flag is that the criteria were updated and my GP was working from the previous version for a while.