Let down

[Rycon]

Since my heart attack 2 years ago I have had no "yearly " check ups!! I know covid has not helped but to be honest silence has been golden with my gp practice! I was due a medication review in September we are now in November and nothing!

[Hidden]

Have YOU requested either?

GP practice's rely to a great degree on patients taking ownership of their own health, if they don't hear from you then all must be well, if it wasn't then you should call them.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Hidden]

I totally agree. We all have to be proactive in respect of our health. A GP sees hundreds, if not thousands of patients and cannot possibly know the health details for each one, let alone monitor how each patient is doing. The ball is in our court to drive the system. I have found my GP practice quite good at responding to my requests in respect of tests, medication, etc.

[10gingercats]

You may have to be pro cactive and ask for appointments.....and if one ask does not do it ask again.

[Chappychap]

These reviews are rarely 12 months to the day, mine can vary a few months either way.

No biggy, just contact the surgery and request a review.

Good luck!

[gilreid1]

Two years since my HA and bypass. Only review is medication with my GP and I request this annually. Like others have said if you don’t ask they assume that all is well. Do you feel you require review.

[Retirement65]

Hello rycon hope you are feeling ok - you should actually be on a register different registers for different diseases most of the time in general practice it should automatically come onto the system that you are due for your appointment then the surgery usually write or send text message or whichever means they use at your particular practice we normally send a bunch of letters out to invite patients for an appointment most of the time this works pretty well that said of course things may well be behind because of Covid I know surgeries including ours try to ask patients not to ring the surgery as the phone calls now are unprecedented but if your appointment is due like you say the surgery would rather you ring then something being missed hope things get sorted for you soon take care 😊

[080311]

Have just had my yearly check up, blood tests, blood pressure weight. They send me an appointment around my birthday but if it didn’t come I would prod them. I think we need to be a bit pro active these days.

Pauline

[ETHEL103]

Evening yes you have to chase everything yourself now.Our practice doesn't even.let you know any results tho I guess in fairness if there's a problem you have to call them.Now that's another story lol.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

How different things are in different areas. I am not called by GP practice for an annual check-up now I have a Cardiologist. I do understand that if I think things are NOT OK I can make a GP appointment.Of course, this is no help in preventing other symptomless problems.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to Kristin1812]

Of course the only way to find out about symptomless problems is to have a full in depth health check. Neither the GP practice nor the NHS is set up for that.

[malrc70]

My GP practice puts a note on my script when med review is due. I book telephone appt with Phatmacist online. We have a chat give him my BP etc and arrange blood test. Results appear in NHS app and Doc calls if anything amiss. Simples

[Misstibbs]

Rycon that doesn’t seem right you may have to press for this in your own interests, you need to know what your GP plans to do?

[fixedrider]

I'm never really sure about this and perhaps I should do more. I'm 2.5 years on from a double bypass. Generally since my health has been excellent. My GP said he wanted to do a medication review after six months; I chased a bit and we did that. I've had a couple of episodes, roughly once a year, when I wasn't happy about how my chest felt. One of those led to a really thorough check in A&E that pronounced me fine, with absolutely nothing unexpected happening. So I don't feel top of the queue, but inevitably I have days, or even a week, when I don't feel quite as good as normal and have concerns. So maybe I should be asking for an annual review, just to be sure? I've not liked to take up GP time.

Doesn't help perhaps that the original GP has retired, so we're now on a practice system with new doctors, none of whom would particularly know beyond what my records say.

[Hidden in reply to fixedrider]

I am 3.5 years post SCA & OHS, I haven't had any 'annual' reviews in that time, what I have had is excellent care whenever I have needed it, following MY call to the GP.

The only annual check most people need (assuming they are doing well) is a meds review, which is (generally) down to the patient to request, like stated, a reminder is normally printed on your prescription.

[marigoldb]

I am wondering if you are feeling forgotten? Were you not seen by a cardiologist following your HA? If you were you will have your discharge letter, just give the secretary a ring?I was followed up 6 monthly by my cardiologist till time was right for me to have Open Heart Surgery. Now 2 years down the line, am in the system, have appt with cardiologist Feb 22, and echo Jan 22. So the system can work well.

I’m elderly and can only say how wonderful the NHS has been for me!

[Qualipop]

You need blood tests at least to make sure your medication isn't harming your liver or kidneys. You need to be proactive and ring them and ask for the tests.

[Tricia7048]

My gp s exactly the same. I told how bad I was feeling and wasnt sure if Id had another 'silent' heart attack. He said I dont think so. He was wrong and I was right!! Within a week I had another heart attack and they said there was a recent previous one!!!! I said Id like to see a cardiologist. He said 'I ll decide. Theres no need. He d only say the same as me'Its like theyre just waiting for me to pop my clogs!!!! I too feel soooo neglected. I seems to be a postcode lottery. My friend in yorkshire would be dead now if he live with me!!!!his docs are marvelous and saved his life!! Fingers crossed for us, lets survive just to spite them !!!xx