The paternalistic approach? - how many of you get given copies of your consultant's letters?

I asked this on my blog but have become more interested to know because of people's responses - Cathie's in particular. I think my GP will be irritated when (if) I ask for copies now so it would be good to know if its more common than not to be copied in.

[verena]

Hi Tilda

I get copies sent to me of the letters from my consultant (1appointment)and my RA nurse (2 ments)

I thought this was the same for everyone. Strange how different each area is so different.

Hope this helps

[Hidden]

Starting to realise why I've spent the last year feeling abandoned, excluded and in denial about this RA journey of mine Verena. Time to kick some ass and I plan to start with my GP on Monday. i will ask him for copies, tell him about people on this site getting them automatically and if he gives me any trouble or even a hint of irritation I will look him in the eye and tell him it's my 50th birthday and I will shout if I want to -I am taking no more sh**t from anyone! Perhaps if I see it written down in black and white I will actually believe that I've been correctly diagnosed even!? X

[LavendarLady]

Hi Tilda, you are entitled to a copy of any medical report sent about you or your symptoms - the main purpose of such is to be able to correct any part of the report which is incorrect. You are also entitled to see any medical notes kept about you by your GP or anyone else for that matter, for the same reason. That is the law.

(If I am in hospital, I always make a point of grabbing the charts off the end of my bed and reading them - I also do it for my husband and my father when he was in hospital - if anyone tried to stop me, they got one of my looks which are famous!)

Don't be fobbed off - more of us need to stand up for our rights. Onwards Sisters (and brothers!). You can tell my Grannie was a suffragette and I am a lawyer. Too many of us put up with inferior treatment as we don't want to make a fuss. But there are times when we need to jump up and down and scream and shout.

Love LavendarLady xx

[Hidden]

Oh I can just imagine one if your looks LL - wonderfully scary! The thing is that at the moment I have a huge boil growing on the side of my nose so I feel its going to be tough meeting eyes and being the magnificent suffragette i would like to be if this carries on blossoming. He'll probably be too busy trying to lance it for me to stand a chance of giving LL looks or such like?! I will go to bed with my tea tree oil and a sticking plaster to stop it all coming off on the pillow tonight. Pic to come for next blog!

I too come from good civil rights stock and no one ever messed with my mother. My dad was great when it came to defending the human rights of others but privately he was quite easily cowed when it came to personal stuff and I think I'm similar to him. I could sort out bullies if others but find it hard to confront people on my own behalf. That said I'll do it if needs must but I'm not completely sure I can do it with a large boil on my nose. Suggestions please (beyond "off with her head! " and such like! X

[shirlthegirl]

I ask for a report from my first Rheumy appointment, My rheumatologist was really happy that i had ask,and said that that is what they do this with all their patients and that i will be sent a copy and also my GP within a week, included in that would be my blood results,

Remember you entitled to this, Also my GP will pull of any report that i want while i am there, She only said the other day, Remember Shirley you are the boss now, not me or the RA, What ever you need just ask... I really hope you have the experience like i did, But don't be worried about asking, They are being paid to do there job properly...Take care xx

[allypal]

The consultant copies me into letters, but it never happened with the nurse or pharmacist.

Ally x

[Hidden]

The consultant would be quite enough copying in for me - but then I don't have a nurse and only a very grumpy pharmacist! X