I've been thinking on this for some time. Would it be acceptable for me to name the NHS hospital where the gastroenterologist works who told a former female GP of mine that PA is almost unique to women and she should not treat me for my B12 deficiency?
I feel others should know which hospital this is, so that they can be wary. I know the name of the gastroenterologist but will not write his name here.
I believe we need to protect ourselves.
Although the discussion is on my medical records, it is for this reason I believed I should ask.
GGourmet.
No, it would not be acceptable to do that.
The terms and conditions of use state that forum members must not:
3.6.3 name specific medical practitioners - this includes publishing information that may make them easily identifiable.
And
3.7 publish defamatory information - which this would be. Note also that you also risk implicating other gastroenterologists who may work at the same hospital.
(See the Community Guidelines to the right of this page for further information about Community Guidelines).
Material published on HU is publically available, so you also risk potential legal consequences (as Hidden points out) for HU...and for yourself too.
Yes...the advice was astonishingly awful (to say the least)...but a better way to deal with it would be to submit a formal complaint about the particular gastroenterologist, to the hospital concerned. Or indeed, to the GMC.
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Thank you for this.
No problem 👍
I reported the incident to the CQC earlier this year. They performed an inspection of my GP surgery and the change in my treatment since then has been dramatic. However CQC say my complaint is with my GP as they sought critical guidance on a serious condition without making a referral, even though the behaviour of the gastroenterologist could be considered unethical.
Foggyme,
I understand the legal implications. However, WHY should yet another useless consultant (gasoenterologist in this case) be spared the naming and shaming he clearly deserves?. Why should the NHS keep employing such a useless consultant and keep on wasted public money on someone who keeps on perpetrating such a shabby and shameful attitude? Hardly ethical.
Patients should know which hospital and consultants to avoid... In fact the NHS should not give a livelyhood to any doctor who is clearly unwilling to help patients getting better. How are we ever going to be able to receive a better diagnosis and accurate treatment if such a person pontificates "we should not be treated"! That is incredible.
This is the precise attitude that is preventing transparency and respect as well as care for patients. Why should doctors be protected to such an extent when they clearly are not prepared to help patients? The whole medical institution lives in the middle ages still and there is a most important need for a complete change.
Sorry for the long rant but feel SO fed up with the way we, patients, are treated. Enough is enough...
JGBH. I understand your frustrated rant at the difficulties we often face when dealing with medical professionals who 'fall-short' (for want of a better word) and the systems that should (but often don't) hold them to account.
But hey...the bottom line here is that 'naming and shaming' is against HU terms and conditions laid down for site users.
Online comment is subject to the same libel law as any other print media and as such, these guidelines serve to protect HU and HU users alike. (Prosecutions for online defamation are increasing year on year).
So, it's about what it is permissable and acceptable to say in spaces like this...in law.
In short...yes there's so much wrong in the way that poor medical practice is exposed and held to account - but it can't be the business of forums like this to partake in the public exposure of supposed 'offenders'.
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Interesting that the legal consequences of naming and shaming are so great, but medical incompetence is regarded as beyond legal redress by most of your contributors. There's something rotten in this dichotomy!
There is indeed something rotten in this dichotomy.
I think there are a number of problems when thinking of legal redress:
It's now beyond the financial wherewithal of most 'ordinary' folks (no legal aid for medical negligence) - there's a very real prospect of financial obliteration for those who proceed with legal action.
The sheer weight - and hostility - of the NHS legal machine, and the time taken to proceed through the legal process is perhaps beyond those who have poor health and little energy to fight hostile and lengthy legal battles with the NHS. Simply raising a compliant can sometimes be problematic for the same reasons.
Many have to focus on fighting to get treatment and have little of themselves left to contemplate legal action against the NHS (or individual practitioners within it):
So yes, rotten indeed...and until all the points you raise here are addressed by and within the medical establishment (in all its elements)...well...the very best most of us can do is keep battling to get treatment: keep supporting each other: educate wherever and whenever we can.
Hope you manage to get your B12 sorted out 😉😀.
I totally agree with you about the cost of taking on the system and equally the point about feeling too ill to challenge it.
I did not proceed with a clear cut case of negligence when I received grossly negligent nursing care and falsification of the records when I had 9 hours of cancer surgery because I was too ill coping with chemo.
My sister did not proceed when she had negligent medical care for a serious lung condition and was given a massive overdose of chemotherapy that nearly killed her. Her subsequent health and the cost made it too difficult for her.
I believe there could be a case for a no win no fee case just to establish a legal precedent if anyone has a very clear case of malpractice they feel well enough to proceed with.
Oh Dewbuc ...so sorry to hear that this happened to you AND your sister.
My most hated phrase: 'lessons have been learnt'...because it seems they rarely are.
Hugs xx
Thanks so much. I'm totally disillusioned with the NHS.
I've just ordered B12 ampoules online. They have already been despatched. I shall then treat myself quickly and efficiently with no further battles. It shouldn't be necessary, but I'm not prepared to risk serious negligence yet again and haven't the energy to fight any more.
The help and support of those contributing to this forum has been absolutely invaluable. Thank you to all who share their knowledge and experience so generously.
Yes, I'm totally disillusioned too. As an ex-nurse, more than disillusioned...disgusted, because I've seen better...remember better.
Really pleased that you've decided to treat yourself...but how sad and bad that so many of us have to do this (me included).
And yes, the folks here are brilliant...when I first arrived I was in the same position as you...and these lovely folks soon sorted me out and put me on the right road (in spite of my then GP).
While I think...spotted Marz 's comments about thyroid treatment (or lack thereof)...the same pertains to autoimmune conditions - see Lupus community here on HU - so many people struggling to get appropriate treatment.
I've just (today, in fact) started on immunosuppressants for an autoimmune condition. GP ignored symptoms and abnormal blood results for years, and it's taken two and a half years to finally get to the point starting treatment - after much research and many battles.
So, Dewbuc , I know exactly how you feel. Sadly.
Hope that you start to feel the benefits of self treatment PDQ...keep posting and let us know how you get on.
Take care xx
Thank you. I think it is even more difficult for us who have worked in the NHS to accept the low standards of care and consideration and knowledge. At least we are better placed to help ourselves with the suppor on this forum etc.
I do hope your treatment finally helps your symptoms.
Totally agree pity we can't name and shame.
Foggyme
Thank you for understanding how so many of us feel let down and always being most helpful in advising and offering a much needed support.
Indeed, I omitted to state that the forum's terms and conditions must be respected fully. I totally understand and accept that as most members do. Rules have to be respected. I just got carried away with my rant.... So apologies to you if you thought I was putting you and all other administrators on the spot. Not that I think for one moment you thought so.
Totally agree and appreciate such a forum is not the place where bad medical practice can be publicly exposed, although well deserved, because of risk of litigation as you pointed out, and also because the primary aim of this forum is to advise and support patients who feel they have no way to turn to.
A very gracious response - but I share your utter frustration and sense of impotence. I'm sorry my profession has let you down so badly and that the perpetrators remain firmly on their pedestals above and beyond legal reproach.
Hi JGBH. No problem. And definitely no thought of 'spots' here.
And I've lost count of the times I stomp around having a rant before replying to some of the dreadful things we hear here.
So,you are not alone, fellow ranter 🙄.
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FYI I have decided to write to the chief executive of the NHS Trust concerned alerting him to what I see as professional malpractice and incompetence making him clear that I hold him responsible for the gastroenterologists' continued practice, without professional review and assessment of competence.
Be really interested to hear what the response is GGourmet . Let us know how you get on.
Good luck 👍
If there is one thing I have learned from the NHS - never, never trust PALS!
Think it's like all things GGourmet...some PALS are good...and some not so good.
We hear mixed reports about them here...unfortunately...wish they were all good.
Hope you have better luck this time.
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I've had run ins with them before and know others who have. They appear to deliberately exclude the pertinent facts from a complaint and try to get the patient to confirm that what they have recorded is accurate - get out of jail free card for them later. They claim to record conversations when what they mean is they make written notes of conversations. Just not acceptable with today's technology.
Yes...agree about that GGourmet 😖. On another tack...
On the advice of one consultant, I was advised to contact PILS to see if they could help with frequently cancelled appointments which were delaying the start of treatment. The idea was that they could help with organising all consultations and investigations be completed within three months. Their response was that they would reply to my request within fourth-five days! And not even with appointment dates.Ha.
Got on the phone to all and sundry and sorted it myself 😉😄
Now long past 45 day deadline. No response. 🤔.
I just wonder what these people are being paid for! And at what cost to front line services.
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