In tears and desperate

[jillc39]

My gp had agreed (eventually) to four week b12 injections. however, two weeks on there was no way I could have gone on holiday - so paid privately. Today I went for my promised injection and like a fool (being honest) I told her I had had to have a b12 to enable me to go on holiday. She went ballistic - said I had better change to private (cant afford it and don't see why I should) and no way would she give me a b12 as I had broken the programme. She went on to say in any case I might be happier seeing another gp - in fact showed me the door. I don't really know which way to turn...... please advise..........................

[Foggyme Administrator]

Oh jillc39. This is dreadful dreadful treatment on the part of your GP (or should I say non-treatment). I can understand how you must be feeling and my heart goes out to you.

I know how angry and hurt you must feel and I'm going to shout on your behalf WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH THESE PEOPLE.

We all know that dead dragging feeling: I know I would have done the same as you and taken the extra B12 (in fact, that is what I intend to do as, like you, I will be unable to go on holiday if I don't).

You should not have to go private in order to get medical treatment (oh if it were only that simple).

You could write to the practise manager and complain, including evidence of why you need treatment (though in reality, I don't know how far this will get you).

Is there another GP in the practise you can see (if you are comfortable with this)?

Or you could log on to NHS choices and find another practise in your area.

If it were me, I think the first thing I would do is secure a supply of B12. I've read some of your posts before but can't remember...have you any plans to self inject? This would solve the immediate situation and ensure that you have enough to B12 to keep functioning. There are people here who can help if you choose to go down this route.

And it's really very simple to do. The first time is the most nerve racking, after that it's as simple as brushing your teeth...but probably quicker!

Lastly, I just want to say...don't beat yourself up over this. It's not your fault. You did nothing wrong or illegal.

I wish I could give you a hug.

Take care and let us know how it goes.

[jillc39 in reply to Foggyme]

I appreciate your reply SO MUCH

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to jillc39]

Forgot to say...I know how very difficult these things are to deal with when all your energy is spent simply staying upright!

You could always get Martyn Hooper (Pernicious Anaemia Society) or Tracy Whitty (b12deficiency.info) to intervene on your behalf.

Here's another hug.

Take care

[Hidden in reply to Foggyme]

Yes, FM great idea!

[jillc39 in reply to Foggyme]

I have just spoken to martin who says I should phone the practice manager....ooo do I dare?

[Hidden in reply to jillc39]

YES!! That woman needs reporting! Just tell the practice manager exactely what happened. She cannot get away with treating patients like this.

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to jillc39]

Jillc39. Yes, I think you should. But it will take a large dose of bravery, I think!

Why don't you make a bullet point list of what you want to say. Will help you be clear and keep you on track. It'll also help you to clarify what you want to say.

Also - you could also ask for an appointment with the practice manager and then go in with guidelines from recognised bodies, to give weight and authority to your arguments.

I don't know if you have access to the relevant guideline, but if you click on my username and go to the first post I wrote, there's lots of brilliant information sent to me by others. You could use this as what fbirder calls 'ammo'!

Please focus on the fact that you have done nothing wrong. Your doctor has refused to treat what is, or can be, a very serious illness. She should be held to account.

I know you say you're crying. Well, get it all out, dry your eyes, take a deep breath...and march with your head held high.

Post again and let us know how it goes...I'll watch out for you.

More hugs....take care x

[Hidden in reply to Foggyme]

An excellent reply FM and great advice.

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Blackstar. This is all so frustrating! I just wish there was something I could DO! It makes me so angry to see people bullied like this! I guess that is how we all feel, so at least I'm not alone in this.

Take care x

[Hidden in reply to Foggyme]

Yes, absolutely FM. I hate bullies and in my opinion this GP has behaved in the most appalling way.

[Boozybird in reply to jillc39]

Yes!

[Hidden]

OMG this is disgusting behaviour from your GP - she needs to be reported to the relevant person. I just don't understand why she would treat you like this. As Foggyme has said you should not have to go private - maybe if she had this awful illness she would know how you feel. But, she's a Doctor so she should dam well read up on how bad you can and do feel. I know what I would do and would be to tell her where to go and change my Doctor. I am so sorry you have been treated like this - big hug to you. X

[jillc39 in reply to Hidden]

oh and you TOO Blackstar. what would we do without this way of keeping in touch with like minded people. cant write more - too busy crying

[fbirder]

She needs to be hung from the highest yardarm, preferably by her tongue so she can't badger patients like this again.

I would phone the PAS (membership is just £20 for life) and ask them to intervene. They are used to handling cases like yours and can, by all accounts, be quite persuasive. They know how the system operates and what buttons to press.

[Hidden]

look up PALS for your area. 'M'💐

[Lisahelen]

Absolutely appalling !

I got nowhere with my practice manager, all she said to do was see another gp within the practice. So dont hold your breath!

Apparently my friend says there is another dept, higher up a bit like police complaints commissioner but he cant remember the actual name of it( brain fog rules ok!)

[Twench]

Be brave and complain but do make sure you see another GP in future as you'll never feel comfortable with this one again.

Sadly there are many doctors about who feel entitled to bully their patients; it's important not to let them get away with it.

Best of luck x

[jillc39]

everyone seems to tell me I shall be shooting myself in the foot to complain to the practice manager..... meanwhile I am really in need of y b12....

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to jillc39]

Hi jillc39. Does the practice have another GP you could see in the meantime? Or do they have a nurse who you could see to get your jab? You could maybe call the nurse and see if she would inject you, as an interim measure, until this nasty little mess is sorted out.

I think one of the problems is that practice managers are employed by GPs so it might be a case of 'who pays the ferryman'!

Have you had a look to see if there other practices in you area that you could register with?

Hope you're feeling a little better today, now that the shock has worn off a little.

Take care.

[jillc39 in reply to Foggyme]

yes, a bit - but I still need my b12¬

[Foggyme Administrator in reply to jillc39]

Did you manage to contact your surgery? Any progress?

[Frodo]

You could possibly try discussing it with the practice manager before making an official complaint, tell them what happened, including the GP asking you not to come back, and explain that this has put you in a very difficult position and you need your treatment. Ask them what they think you should do in the circumstances.

I'm not saying this will work but it might be a halfway house. It depends on the manager, some are reasonable and some aren't.

But completely up to you. Don't want to advise something that backfires.

[ndodge]

That sounds horrible, jill, so sorry you were treated that way. I think doctors need B12 to straighten out their bad moods! Instead of listening to what you were telling her, that your need for B12 is real and not being addressed adequately, she denied you treatment. I get so angry at those arrogant ego driven doctors. Talk about close minded! Whatever happened to scientific curiosity and "do no harm" philosophy? I don't have any ideas for you only lots of sympathy! Best of luck.

[Hidden]

Jill, please, go in or phone and tell them what has happened - you need your treatment and this so called Doctor has shown you the door. You have done nothing wrong. She cannot get away with treating you like this and possibly others. Is there anyone who could go with you to support?

[jillc39 in reply to Hidden]

thank you - all these replies have really helped me.