Has anyone found a doctor who LISTENS to you /

[john-edward]

[Hidden]

lol - a GP who listens that would be new? Saw my GP yesterday - after two years, Pain Clinic, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Vascular, Neurophysiology, - hey ho prescribed another pain killer. Which I have taken for two days, twice a day, still waiting for it to work?

[Hidden]

think two days isnt giving the pain killer a fair chance .. keep on going xx

[Hidden]

GP's don't have time to listen lol, they are to busy on the keyboard, and what they have to say is far more interesting than anything you or I may want to get in edgeways! Me......... bitter ....... nooooooooo . lol

[Boozybird]

I think a lot suffer patient fatigue which leaves both sides dissatisfied.

[Hidden]

Hello

I wrote a blog last night regarding this it seems that in some instances they seem to notice much more than we give credit for I suppose if they need to read notes and script it can take time, they lost my file for over eight weeks, although all went well I wonder if it had gone missing while I was having my review I hope it is back now as I have a further appointment mid April. Will have to wait and see as they gave me my review scores, so they must have found them

All the best

BOB

[john-edward in reply to Hidden]

What distresses me a lot is the way I am treated after a visit to hospital for tests. Hospital say OK, we will write to your GP and tell him what is wrong and what pills you need.

Then when I eventually get to see the GP, he hasnt read the letter and doesnt know what I want.

[macwylie]

My advice is to change surgeries.. look on NHS website - every surgery has a star rating and pretty reliable reviews from patients. My surgery fortunately scores really highly - but even so, I have to often take a chaperone along with me (this seems to make them sit up and take notice of what I'm saying) plus write out a bullet pointed sheet of what you want from visit.. this really helps..

[Hidden in reply to macwylie]

Hello, I changed surgeries when I moved to another part of town, filled out the form asking for immediately required information, including past surgery, which mine included an extended hysterectomy. ( due to cancer at a young age) The first thing they did was send me a letter to go in for a smear test. Seems the money they can make off you is high on their list - I did get a phoned and a written apology .

I agree fully with taking in writing what the problem is, twice I have been misheard - due to me having a bit of a speech slur.. and them being to quick to reply without allowing me to make myself clear.

I don't have a chaperone, but do seriously consider buying a recorder to take with me, when I get to a shop that sells them I will buy one, I do not though get out a lot.

[Hidden]

Hello

One thing we all need too do now is to ask for a copy of the letter from the hospital this will be sent at the same time as the doctors copy. This is our right now and should always be taken up so nothing will be missed, then you can ask to see him after you have read your report, this will help the GP give you attention that we all should get from a busy practice

All the very best

BOB .

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello BOB, does this include a letter being written after treatment? Also, is the letter sent to your home?

Cee

[john-edward in reply to Hidden]

That is exactly right, and the lketter was NOT sent to me, I havent seen it either.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello

When you leave a hospital after treatment on a ward you will be given letters for possibly a district nurse and your Gp They wil be for a follow up as an outpatient.

When you visit a specialist on a day clinic, the treatments or the results of the meeting are sent to the doctor, Now at the same time you are entitled to a copy of this letter, so both you and the doctor should have the same letter, this helps in several ways, it can stop you worrying and it prepares you to see your doctor to discuss findings that the specialist has found. during your visit.

When you get the letter at home, you will see what has been found and what has been done. This helps you get more out of your gp as you. both can discuss script

Ask for that letter

All the best

BOB

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello

YES

This is the letter your doctor receives from the specialist, it is sent to your home

[john-edward in reply to Hidden]

I guess I am either in the wrong post-code or the wrong country, NO LETTERS given to me, or vsent to me.

[Hidden in reply to john-edward]

john edward

Hello you must ask for this letter to be sent, it will be put into your record as a request. Try it

All the best

BOB

[teadrinker]

I have just spent hours responding to Bob's blog on this - it's sounds like i've had a terrible time. But I must add that I have been treated very well by the majority of doctors - and others. My own GP in particular is very patient and kind and my current pain clinic doctors have been incredibly helpful.

As for the hospital letters & comments that GPs don't read them : My own patients ask why the GP doesn't know that they have been in hospital and why hasn't their GP contacted the patient to change the prescription / make an appointment etc? The GP will have a letter to say this which has probably been put on the patient's record. But in fairness to GP surgeries, they have thousands of patients on their books so I imagine that's why it's up to the patient to make an appointment because they don't have the time to read each letter as it comes in. This might make me unpopular, and I also get frustrated with a system where you have to trail between hospital & GP to get things done. But the system isn't designed to speed things up.

[Hidden in reply to teadrinker]

hello teardrinker

I am not in anyway saying that you should put up to bad treatment in the NHS.

I have read your epic on the other page and I think you were treated badly. This should have been picked up at the time, many feel they cannot make a difference, you can. Your health is a partnership between GP, SPECIALIST AND YOU.

you need to extend that on all fronts and be very proactive in your dealings here and use the system that you are a constant user and customer.

Have words to take the professional patients course that will help you get more out of the NHS, you will then be able to converse in a far clearer fashion. Now each patient will be in charge of their treatment and needs. in a creaking system.

Throughout my writings here I have never really stood up to the health service when good its good when its bad it can be really horrid, we need to take the bull by the horns and never expect second best

All very best, do not let the system beat you,learn how to negotiate with them, and know your rights

BOB

[beauty96]

My GP has never looked at my legs movign round because of RA and OA, even though I have spoken of them to him/her. Can't change surgeries as it means going to one worse and only two surgeries in town. That is why I have a private health scheme so I cna see a consultant when I like. Though as I cannot take any medication I have given up seeing doctors abotu the probelms. I qualfiied instead as an ND and have a PhD for Immunology. If you can't get them to work with you...I qualfied. By the way the PhD was on my 60th birthday and I am now 71.

[Lunafair]

"Hah, a GP who listens is like a dog that speaks Norwegian, even rarer!"

[Rosesibbs]

I have been lucky to have a very understanding team at my previous GP surgery. I have now moved and changed GP as out of catchment area... haven't had my first consultation as yet but am very nervous about it. Will consent a copy of letter following a hospital consultation or Specialist Assessment should be sent to you. You can request this if the option is not offered as it is part of the NICE guidelines. But you will need to consent for this. Having a copy also reminds you what has been discussed and treatment plans and recommendations. You can also present a copy to GP when you visit as they tend to be filed without being read