Talking of arrogant doctors ...

[Froggy]

There have been many posts about arrogant/ unhelpful/ unaware etc doctors. Could the reason possibly be their budgets? I have no idea if GP's surgeries are charged in any way for any kind of treatments but thought that lack of referrals etc was related to budgets several times - any thoughts?

[BobD Volunteer]

The CCGs control the budgets and yes doctors surgeries have to pay for them out of budget as far as I understand. I would be really disappointed if the main reason was budgets mind. I suspect that a large number of Gps just don't understand the condition yet./

Bob

[Sugarlump]

When I found out my GP had to pay for my consultants visit, I suggested they asked for a refund !

[Loo53 in reply to Sugarlump]

I think some GPs haven't got a great manner about them at times and put up a defense about not knowing something rather than admit it. Faced with a lot of readily armed internet savvy patients it must be difficult for them. But there are ones that just downright refuse to refer you on...I feel had I not been referred by the Consultant I saw on a coronary care unit to an EP and had I just seen the arrogant piece of work in my surgery over my AF I would have just been stuck on beta blockers or something and been told to come back in 10 days time if I wasn't happy. Thank God that Consultant referred me on like grease lightening on is all I can say..

[cat55]

I wondered that as when I asked G.P to refer me to an E.P she said it would have to be done through the cardiologist who had just discharged me..... again. Was willing to refer me privately to one though. Don't want to see cardiologist again as he told me to stay on aspirin( this was in April with chads score of 2) so don't think would get very far as also told him didn't want to take Propefanone on a regular basis as A.F. doesn't happen very often I don't think, but then again am not really sure what my heart wobbles are. (not the fast stuff or ectopics). It would be nice to know. So at some point the only way forward would be privately. Will have to wait till I get retirement pension for that. Hey Ho. Cat

[Hidden]

I'm sure that although they have a budget, they are supposed to throw some of it around when people really need treatment, is all I can say... I wouldn't like to think that if I go in, in serious need of something done, that the first thing they do is take a calculator out and go 'ooh, not this year or next for sure...'. It would be a lousy way to decide who's in need... Which isn't to say it doesn't happen of course!

[Hidden]

I've had one or two great GP's, a few really bad ones, one that exploded when I told him you could hear what he was discussing with his patients in the waiting room, thought he was going to land me one. When I told him you could hear what was being said, he just said no you can't! At which point we had a slight, and very loud, disagreement !

But got to say overall, they just don't have the time to spend with you. I just rush in and rush out, virtually a complete waste of their time and mine. To me, they have one main function, which is to administer pills because that's the quickest and very often the worst way to get a result.

Koll

[Hidden]

My experience is approach GPs with extreme care. I have had a blood clot in the leg missed and more recently a tic bite with clear potential Lyme Disease symptoms dismissed as 'I think it's fungal, I'll give you some cream to try'. Even the technically uber excellent (there is one in our practice) do not have enough time.

I could go on about in our area their 4 day weeks and well into 6 figure earnings……but more constructively back yourself, if you may have a serious problem and you can afford £200 ask for a referral to a consultant privately straightaway. Peace of mind is valuable.

[Sugarlump]

... But then you get to a consultant who, a month after Sotalol being rejected as a suitable drug for AF, puts me on it last week despite already being bradycardic ( 35-37 ) It's hard to maintain faith and trust.

[Dadog]

GP practices are no different from any other business and have to work to a budget (unfortunately). That is no excuse for being arrogant or sharp with their patients. Simply, they should explain the whys and wherefores, so that we all understand what's going on. We surely aren't unable to take this in, are we?

More importantly - and more of a worry, is the case where either from lack of knowledge or lack of time, a GP will make a mistake or fail to diagnose or treat a condition. The old adage - If you don't know, you find out, applies. I've worked in a timber engineering capacity most of my working life. Often pushed to deadlines and often faced with something I didn't fully understand, I didn't and wouldn't take a stab at something or pretend I knew the answer. The result could have been equally serious as a similar scenario in a doctor's surgery. Mistakes can and will be made in all walks of life - but we work in a manner that hopefully minimises them.

[Offcut]

I am sure that they are cutting back because of budget. I have lung conditions too and it takes a lot more to get an xray now than it did 4 years ago and I am worse now? I have been told by my heart consultant that they have sent a letter to refer me to a specialist and I have heard nothing also my lung consultant has asked for me to be refereed to the sleep apnoea test and PR nothing to date!!!! Seeing him on Tuesday to listen to more excuses.

[Dadog]

That's not good and not easy to overcome, Offcut. Hope you get sorted soon.