SUGGESTIONS made by a pensioner’s pressure group in Melksham to improve the system for obtaining repeat prescriptions at the Giffords surgery are to be trialled before a meeting with NHS bosses to discuss the issue.

A presentation from the NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group to Melksham Seniors due to take place on Monday has now been moved to Thursday, February 15, after complaints the new system was making life especially difficult for elderly and vulnerable people.

The meeting at 10am at the Riverside Club will begin with a discussion, allowing time for people to share their feedback and make further suggestions for improvements.

At 11am, NHS Wiltshire CCG and Giffords Surgery representatives will give a presentation and answer questions.

The Seniors Forum is working alongside NHS Wiltshire CCG and Giffords Surgery to resolve concerns about the new repeat prescription ordering service.

Since November, Giffords Surgery patients, like those all over Wiltshire, have had to use the new Prescription Ordering Direct telephone service or register online to order their repeat prescriptions.

There have been complaints about the difficulties in getting through to speak to someone, saying it takes too long and is costly.

Melksham Seniors have made suggestions to try and improve the service for older people, including offering support to help people who wish to use the online service.

Melksham Seniors chairman Brian Warwick said: “We have moved the meeting to a later date so the suggestions that have been made to improve the service can be trialled to see how effective they are.”