THE LETTER

[may61]

Is it wise to include the word negligence in my letter to my doctor

[Hidden]

Only if you have proof of negligence would it be wise to use it.

What is your evidence?

[may61 in reply to Hidden]

Love that one Clive and will use it thanks

[clivealive Forum Support]

The words "reticence to treat" come to mind or "failure in duty of care"

I suggest you post your intended letter on here and let the admins have a look before you post it

[may61 in reply to clivealive]

Love that one Clive and will use it Thanks

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi May61. Aspmama is right...to formally accuse a doctor of negligence, you would have to go through the long and tortuous process of obtaining all your medical records and putting together an evidence based complaint.

And he could argue (and probably would), that the guidelines are only that, guidelines. (But that's another story).

And you would then have to prove that you had suffered harm because of his treatment...another long and arduous process.

So...while his care over the years has been negligent, recognising that and proving it are two very different things 😖.

I think at this stage, and for a first letter, the idea should be to try and get him on board and offer the correct treatment.

As many GP's don't actually know what the guidelines for treatment are, simply presenting him with those guidelines (your evidence) and making a polite 'appeal' to help you recover your health by treating you in accordance with those guidelines, should do the trick.

The fact is that having looked at your evidence and your current health status, he should have the good sense to treat you for your B12 deficiency.

So...a polite but firm request, with evidence, for the first letter. This often works for most people.

If this fails, then you could think again and ask for more advice on where to go after that....but hopefully that won't be necessary.

And I like clivealive's term 'failure in duty of care'...but again, that's perhaps for later...if he still doesn't treat you and thus evidences a failure in his duty of care.

Good luck May61. Let us know how it goes 👍

[may61 in reply to Foggyme]

I like that too

[LtAngua52]

I sent my GP a letter earlier this year, stressing what the guidelines say doctors should do to treat the symptoms I have been reporting, and based on my blood test results. He had refused my previous requests for treatment and despite my saying that I have improved with b12 supplements, was not convinced my problem was a lack of b12. I wrote about the problems with the blood tests and enclosed copies of all the relevant documentation to support my statements. Most of the information he should have read anyway, for example the guidelines from the BCSH and BNF. I included information from PAS too as well as from b12 deficiency sources.

Based on this he agreed to refer me to a haematologist who agreed I had a deficiency and instructed my GP to prescribe b12 injections. At the end of the day you have to work with your GP and need his support. He would not have been so responsive if I had accused him of a breach of his duty of care, although I did think of it. I would have gone further if he hadn't referred me though. If your GP has caused you harm by failing to treat you, and you can prove it, then I would get legal advice. But as the other replies have said, it's so difficult to prove and being a cynical person, I believe the medical profession protect each other.

I've probably given you more information than you were asking for, but I hope your letter works. Good luck.

[may61 in reply to LtAngua52]

Thanks That the reason i asked the question just didnt know how to word it though have used Clives suggestion See how it goes Did have a talk with the nurse when I went the other day for my intrinsic factor bloods 3 months after diagnosis Something haematology had recommended on the initial tests Ah well all i want is to be treated as guide lines nothing more