I had a valve replacement in 2018 with good recovery.
In October I had a subarachnoid haemorrhage with similar symptoms prior to it happening.
Yet again symptoms ignored by GP. Severe hypertension, low potassium and high sodium.
Passed out in the street. 10 day stay in hospital after diagnosis. The hospital consultants were brilliant.
Still not seen GP although he has rung me twice and altered my medication after asking me to record it myself for two weeks and let him know the results.
Does anyone else have these problems with their GP?
I did decline an appointment with a Health Care Assistant because I felt the problem was outside her capabilities.
I worked as nurse and midwife in the NHS for 40 years and feel very let down.
People keep telling me I was lucky. I don't feel very lucky.
Sorry, it is a bit of a rant. But I feel ignored.
Written by
Nanny72
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We had a few issues with my husbands GP but have always found that the Advanced Nurse Practitioners are excellent and much more in tune with patients than some GPs. Ours will always consult the doctor if she comes across anything she is unsure of or needs checking.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner ignored my severe aortic stenosis because he didnt understand the scan result. GP also ignored the scan result, leading to 111 ordering an ambulance and admission and valve replacement as an emergency.
Unfortunately this has resulted in lack of faith in GPs as general.
Oh, that’s very understandable! I’m surprised that it was your ANP or GP interpreting the scan, I would have thought it would have been the cardiologist looking at that.
At that point I was still waiting to be referred to a cardiologist. The only reason I got the scan was because a locum doctor referred me. Unfortunately it was his last day at the surgery.
When I complained after the event a meeting was arranged with the GP who asked if I was going to sue. I said no and his main comment was I had slipped through the cracks.
What does "Health Care Assistant" do exactly? I'm assuming that these roles are created to ease the workload of GPs (?). In other words, buck passing from your point of view?
If the patients central issues are medical, then yes, seeing the surgery's Advanced Nurse Practitioner seems like a much better option. I spoke to the surgery Nurse last year about this. They do seem to understand more on some aspects.
I would be interested to know more about this myself.
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I don't know but as it's just a case of putting the arm band on and pressing the button on the monitor I would assume someone would have just watched over them for a couple of times. I do know that when I was a Dr's receptionist they were going to have us take blood & one of the nurses was going to show us how to do it.
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Should I ask to see a cardiologist?
Underhand Tactics
Risk of endocarditis reoccurring 
Second opinion procedure?
Still in shock about needing a cabg / bypass but now I think I’m lucky 
