Shocking GP attitudes

[besshilldad]

I generally find GP's are keen to just get rid of you ASAP any excuse to get rid - Recently I have had blood test - Chest Xray - Lung Function test - Folic pills - Now another blood test. If they say they need to call you they just don't I've been waiting for them to call me for 3 days now. I told them I needed a sleep apnea test 6 weeks ago - Clearly stating it needs to be done before the end of May - A consultation came through for August. I find the whole experience of visiting GP's a waste of time. 6 weeks I have been waiting for a diagnosis and nothing. They refuse to recognise pills supplied by a doctor in France to control my arrythma. The folic issue were identified by a hospital not my GP although they had the same blood test data. - Then it took 3 visits to get the pills as I hadn't got a doc's appointment. I'm going back to France to see my Doctor there. At least he has the decency to check my blood pressure and vitals when I see him. Blood test results are available in 4 hours not days, you get your own copy. Here it's days or even weeks before you know anything. You visit a Pharmacy here and they are out of stock - I even overheard somebody being told to phone around other places to get medicine for his sick mother. The nhs really has become a joke. I would make an official complaint but what good would it do, I would most likely get black listed.

[Nackapan]

The latter is quite common that's why it's best to get the prescription sent by the surgery to the pharmany. I used to have to go to loads of pharmacies when they run out of insulin even though used same chemist all the time for my husband. My mum actually gets it delivered which is a great service. They vary so mUch that's the problem. Getting a Gp appointment is so difficult it seems everywhere. You have to say it's anot emergency when it's not on the day. Now I'm seeing one regularly the gphone books it in. I asked the same about why blood results take so long. One reason is the results come in from different labs. The main reason is they are waiting to be looked at by gp on duty. I agree the Nash is under so much pressure and don't get proper administration support. Hence alot of doctors bogged down by it. Or too busy fathering the I.T to look at you. I worked in the NHS for 36 yrs. I saw too many changes. IT is great if all using same system but gps opted out so got very fragmented. Clinical staff have to do all their own administration which is ludicrous. Of course there are also the minority that abuse the system and staff thar arnt committed to their job. There are good doctors and nurses thar work very hard in a very difficult climate. But yes some parts just arnt functioning well at all and gps need more than 10 minute slots. I book a double appt if needed. As a patient I've felt very let down at times like alot of people. Acute medicine I think still working. I have made official complaints through PALS on behalf of others. It is worth doing they have to take them seriously. You have to be well to get through the system. I don't want to lose The NHS though

[Ashbe in reply to Nackapan]

12 weeks is normal for referral to hospital for treatment. It’s what happens when there is a “free” service and people are reluctant to pay more taxes and Governments don’t do enough to make sure those who should pay tax should!

I have to say I never have much of. Problem getting an appointment with GP unless I want to see a specific one. If no appointment I will be offered a phone call and they phone when they say.

My problems and complaints are not with GP service but with hospital staff. In particular consultants. I attend 4 different departments. Can’t say a bad word about Orthopaedics. Neurology and ENT though are dreadful.

ENT are just a strange breed. I feel they treat you like you are idiot and do very little. I suffer from Menieres Disease and when I mention treatments recommended by Menieres Society, they just say stuff like well my specialism is more throats and I don’t do that treatment!

Pain Clinic, one year wait then an appointment with psychologist every 3 months!

Neurogy though is a total joke! September 2017 I met Consultant. He referred me for various tests. April 2018 he wrote to say he was sending me for another MRI. No follow up since then.

Pharmacies are a nightmare although I’ve now found one who collects and delivers my medication. Prior to that I had several incidents, one leading to hospitalisation, where I was given wrong medication or someone else’s.

Hospital trip was down to me being given antipsychotics instead of prescribed med. Patient label on box was correct I got I’ll and needed home visit. Doctor then noticed that what was on label was not what was in the box!

Complaining is useless. You get lots of platitudes ,standard letters, but nothing ever changes.

The NHS is in trouble.

They spend a lot on management though and that should be addressed.

Our town recently got a new all star hospital but more effort went into planning the aesthetics of the building instead of looking at its function.

Seems a long walk to everywhere and it’s usually got a slope so if you have physical difficulties or a heart condition you really feel it. Staff complain lay out of rooms etc are not good for patient care. But lovely murals on the wall, garden spaces ,views.

Maybe when Brexit is over the political parties could get together and come up with a plan. Something they all commit to to prevent one government doing x then next government undoing it.

It people aren’t prepared to pay more tax though then we seriously need to consider removing some services from”free list”. Not popular opinion but hard choices need to be made.