I want to change my GP. Can anyone advise me if it's possible to speak to new GP or practice manager before making the change?

[AvsG]

[Manofmendip]

Hello

I did, many years ago, when I changed GP practice.

Where are you from?

Dave

[AvsG in reply to Manofmendip]

Hi Dave, I live in Glenfarg which is between Perth and Kinross in Scotland. I'm not happy at my current GP practice and need more support. I'm nervous about changing in case I go from 'the frying pan into the fire!' It would help if I could meet new GP to know if they are willing to take me on and support me,

Avril

[bevjane74]

That's an.excellent question AvsG, I was wondering the same thing myself my gp seems to know nothing whatsoever about APS, I need more support with the symptoms of it but I don't want to move from one gp that knows nothing to another when I could just stay where I am and not have the upheaval of changing

[AvsG in reply to bevjane74]

Hi bevjane 74, if I'm successful I'll let you know how I did it!

Avril

[Lure2]

Hi There,

Actually I am not the right person to answer this question as I do not know much about the English Healthcare System. I know the Swedish but you have no use for that knowledge.

I have heard that so many GP do not know what APS is (like here in Sweden) You need an APS-specialist .He can give instructions to you GP how to handle your APS.

Good luck to find that doctor!

Kerstin in Stockholm.

[Lure2]

Hi again,

Try hughes-syndrome.org/ click on "selfhelp" and you can see "specialists in your area".

Best of luck from Kerstin in Stockholm

[AvsG in reply to Lure2]

Thank you Kerstin. I have a good specialist at my Hospital in Dundee who listens and respects Prof Hughes and Prof Khamashta. I had problems with self testing with my GP and now feel very uncomfortable each time I go,

Avril

[MaryF Administrator in reply to AvsG]

You know, perhaps an unofficial conversation with the specialist at Dundee he must be aware of GP's in the area who he/she has a good working relationship with regard to Hughes Syndrome/APS specialists... perhaps a tactful casual conversation. MaryF

[Lure2 in reply to AvsG]

Hi Avril, I quite understand. Really hope you can continue. For me it was such a relief to selftest.

Good luck. Kerstin

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, I do suggest you have a chat with the person you trust most at that practice? The nurse or perhaps the manager? Could you for instance say you need a female doctor etc if you don't have one now, also talk to friend and neighbours in your area and turn detective and find out the best GP on that patch or surrounding area, then talk to them. I had to do this myself years back! MaryF x

[AvsG in reply to MaryF]

Good suggestion Mary. I've been recommended another GP by friends but just want to know in advance if she will take an Interest in Hughes Syndrome and support my self testing. Just wondered if I could meet her first before making the change. Most Doctors look at my complicated history and don't understand. There's no one in my existing practice that I would talk to.

Sorry I missed you last week at the HSF Patient's day. I looked for you at the end but you had gone!

Avril

[MaryF Administrator in reply to AvsG]

Yes sorry......I had to rush off, my son arrived early, and offered to take me out for a pre birthday dinner, and I only had an hour and a half before train home! I would have liked to have met you. Regarding GP, I suggest you visit the other surgery, and explain that you have been to London to sort it, you know what to do, and that clear management has been given for your condition, or perhaps you could ask one of your friends regarding the other surgery to fish around on your behalf, and find out if any of the GP's have knowledge of it there?! They could take information along for you. It may well be the one or two of the doctors at the new practice may know! MaryF

[AvsG in reply to MaryF]

Yes, I think I will have to enquire at the new surgery. There's no harm in asking. I'm just so wary of most Doctors!

Avril

[AvsG]

Hi Louise-a, I know so many of us have the same problem. I am willing to go to a practice out of the area if it's allowed. After travelling to London (from Scotland) to see Prof Hughes to get a diagnosis, I don't mind travelling to find a good GP,

Avril

[PepperT]

I changed my gp after my being fobbed off by previous dr who just would not admit they didn't have a clue what aps was. They kept telling me that all the necessary blood tests had been done when the written results proved they had done everything but!. Anyway, chose a new surgery and spoke to one of the gp's about their knowledge of aps before I made my decision. The new gp admitted right away that they knew of aps but didn't know enough about it, they took my info on what blood tests were needed, did them and referred me to rheumatologist while we waited for the results. I don't regret changing for a minute but it would have been a bit of a stab in the dark if I hadn't spoken to the new gp before enrolling as a patient.

[AvsG]

Thanks PepperT, I think I may do the same!

Avril

[Lure2]

Hi, I have noticed several years ago that doctors are afraid of us. Many of them have difficulties when they do not know. I remember one Endocrenologe (my hyperpara and high bloodpressure) he said to me that he did not know what APS was and ignored it. I ran from him ofcourse and that was what he wanted me to do. But Endocrinologes do not have to know APS. It was just his attitude of ignoring me.

When you get an APS-doctor you can at once notice if he knows what he is talking of. He has the knowledge and dare to lesten to you.

Good luck to have listening doctors that know APS.

Kerstin in Stockholm

[AvsG]

I know Kerstin. I'm so fed up with their blank looks and dismissive attitudes. I saw Prof Hughes last week and it really cheered me up. He knows exactly what's wrong with me. The specialist he referred me to in Scotland is his friend and she knows how to treat Hughes Syndrome. My problem now is my GP practice. I think this forum is full of 'feisty females' who don't give up easily!

Avril