Give me my blood test results...

[JoanofArc]

Hi all,

Well it never ceases to amaze me how obstructive these awful receptionists are at your local non-friendly GP surgery.

I've been putting up with their nonsense for 13 yrs now and it's just so predictable and tedious. I have long since given up getting any help from my GP or the five other doctors at the practice. I see private doctors and buy my own T3. However the other week I received a letter to attend the surgery for a thyroid blood test and decided to go. I have been slightly curious as to what my readings would be on T3 only.

So I phoned last Tuesday ( exactly a week after my test) to get the results. And it went something like this;

Me: Hi, I'm phoning up for my thyroid blood test results.

Receptionist: When were they done?

Me: Last Tuesday

Rec: You are supposed to phone between 2 and 5 pm.

Me: But, I'm working then.

Rec: Why do you need them?

Me: I have an appointment with a private doctor on Thursday and want to share the results with them. (I lied!)

Rec: Well, as I say, you have to phone up between 2 and 5 pm.

Me: But I am working today and tomorrow from 11-6 pm. I can't make calls at work and my appointment is Thursday.

Rec: I already said the times you need to call.

Me: Ok, can you run off a photocopy of my result, and I will get someone to pick them up?

Rec: Mmm, we don't normally do that.

Me: Well, I need them.

Rec: Well, there will be a charge.

Me: Ok, how much?

Rec: Hold on...

Rec: I've just spoken to the Practice Manager and it will be £10

Me: Ten Pounds? I'm not paying that. That's insane. For one blood result?

Rec: That's how much it is.

Me: Bye (I actually slammed the phone down so hard I nearly broke the handset)

So, I admitted defeat and ended up calling back last Friday between 2 and 5 pm ( 10 days after they took MY blood + I am well aware THEY get the results back within 2 days.)

Me: Hello, I'm phoning up for my thyroid blood test result

Rec: When was it taken?

Me: A week last Tuesday.

Rec: Why do you need them?

Me: I want them

Rec: Hold on...

Rec: They're normal.

Me: Erm, can I have the figures please?

Rec: Oh, so you want the figures? (Me: I'm thinking she's absolutely taking the piss now)

Me :Yes

Rec: We don't normally give out the numbers over the phone.

Me: Look, can I just have my results, PLEASE.

Rec: Hold on...(audible sighs and tuts)

Rec: Your TSH is 4.38 and your FT4 is 14. The doctor says these are NORMAL ok?

Me: Bye

So let me see. Over 13 yrs the GPs have been of no use whatsoever in helping me manage my Thyroid Disease. They will not prescribe the only medication I can tolerate for the condition

When I am 'invited' for a blood test they fail to carry out the appropriate test which in my case is the Free T3.

When I phone up for my blood results they try to withhold them from me, or put me through that nonsensical phone ordeal every darn time. And the cherry on top? They tell me in their usual unscientific fashion that my results are normal and pay no attention to the Laboratory's reference range ( TSH -0.5-3.5)

What is the actual point in liaising with these fools? I am angry today. Every now and then it gets to me. All of it. My story. Your stories. Collectively, I want to beat these fools into submission. Will you join me?

Joan

[anbuma]

I haven't had any thyroid bloods done as yet (as far as i knwo)tho I have all the symtpoms of thyroid.(my dr said I have had them but don't know when he definitely never told me he was doing them).on advice from fellow bloggers I wrote a note requesting I have copies of my blood tests.i got an email back saying she had arranged fro my dr to discuss this with me on my appt next week.dont know why they are like this .I have always been told my results are normal(CA125)but wonder how normal they really are?

[HeatherS-UK]

I totally agree, they are like the secret service and rude. I have the same problem and I am retired nurse manager. Absolutely disgusting.

[Issy]

Get the rpintouts though.

My Vit D of 50.4 on printout was verbally stated by Doc to be 54 and written on my records as 54.

You are entitled to a printout at a REASONABLE cost - maybe nothing or 50p or a quid. Certainly no more.

[Issy]

You are entitled to a full copy of ALL your records for a total maximum of £50.

[Hidden]

Joan, I feel for you. My daughter and I have long since given up having anything to do with the NHS. I haven't had a positive experience with them - EVER, and I dread the day when I might actually have to make use of their services as I have no faith in any of them around here. To some that may sound as though we might be stroppy or impolite, but that could not be further from the truth.

Fighting our way through this hypothyroidism experience has been a lonesome battle from the beginning.

To anyone out there who has a good GP or endo I would say cherish them with all your heart. You are very, very fortunate.

Jane x x

[Maggiet]

I must be SO lucky. My doc's receptionists are brilliant - I have no problem getting results printed off and there is no charge. GP actually listens to me. They are so good I actually bake for them as a thank you! So sorry to hear so many bad experiences regarding receptionists compared to mine. Now, if you wanted to discuss consultants, then I might have a different tale to tell!!

[editfmrt]

Joanofarc. You don't have to put up with this obstructive behaviour. All surgeries get paid extra for thyroid patients under the Quality Outcomes Framework. So just by being on their register they are rewarded and then another payment if that patient had thyroid tests each year in the qualifying period.

They don't give you a service because you are forced to pay privately for the right treatment. Therefore they are being paid for you under false pretences and I bet they get a lot more than the £10 they are trying to charge you for a measly sheet of paper.

I would throw the book at them and write a letter to the practice manager.

You can be very polite and professional and say you are extremely dissatisfied with their constant obstruction. You don't want to make things difficult but if this continues and you are challenged and charged such a ridiculous amount for a single sheet of paper for your results which is your entitlement under the Freedom of Information Act, then you will have no option but to take it further. If necessary, you are prepared to make a formal request for ALL your records which will be better value for money. You may also exercise your rights to view your records which is even better value. They certainly won't want that!

I did this and handed the letter in by hand and told the receptionist I'd be back the next morning for the printout. I went back with a ream of printer paper.

The results were waiting and I smiled and thanked her and handed over the 500 sheets saying I thought they could do with this. First time I'd seen them speechless.

On checking outside there were missing results. So back in I go and told them they've made a mistake and I want them all. She told me to come back the next day, so I said no I would like you to do them right now. They knew I meant business. All the other patients behind me were eagerly leaning forward waiting for the next instalment.

The practice manager came over and asked me to go into her office so I said I don't think that's necessary it's nothing confidential so you can talk to me here. I just need the printout right now.

Of course I got them. They cannot argue with a reasonable polite request. These control freaks really can't handle that and would much rather the patient lost their temper.

The boot is on the other foot now and they nearly fall over themselves when I come in.

Will you join me?

Amendment added after posting:

Helvella very kindly reminded me that it is the Data Protection Act and not Freedom of Information you need to quote. I have FOI on the mind because I had to contact the Information Commissioners Office to get them to tell a hospital that that they had to disclose under the Data Protection data sharing protocols. They were very helpful and worth using if you hit barriers! Thanks for the prompt Hellvella!

[lynx in reply to editfmrt]

Wow, its a wonder you weren't arrested, or struck off.

[editfmrt in reply to lynx]

Well it was my sisters surgery and as her carer I have to deal with the GPs. I didn't do or say anything that could have justified that.

I was extremely polite, said please and thank you and never raised my voice once. There was a waiting room full of witnesses which was another reason why I didn't go into the managers office on my own.

They rely on people being afraid of being struck off or the police being called, so they have a hold over you.

[Hidden in reply to lynx]

that's what usually happens when you know your rights and insist on being treated properly

I think the NHS really stand for No Help (just) Sneers

[PinkNinja]

That is appalling treatment! I can't get my T3 on prescription, even though they used to prescribe it, and I went so far downhill when they switched me to levo. However, the GP I usually see did agree to prescribe it but wasn't allowed I also have no trouble with the receptionists. They are very helpful telling me my results, with reference ranges, over the phone - provided I phone after 11am My GP also shows me them on his screen so I can 'assess' them for myself. I need to switch GPs. I really hope they are as helpful there.

Keep fighting them. Make a complaint if you have to. No one should be treated that way regarding their health.

Carolyn x

[Hidden]

If I were you I would complain to the Practice Manager (if they have one) and also complain about the charge, I get a copy for free. Its appalling you have to go through that. I have absolutely no problem with the receptionists at my surgery but I have to say their only fault is that they don't know how to print off the lab results (my doctor told me this) and so I have to ask them to ask my doctor to print them off for me to collect. Otherwise make an appointment with your doctor and get him to print them off.

[JoanofArc]

Thank you everyone for the replies and advice.

Editfrmt, your post made for interesting reading! Yes, I'm ready to join you. I really don't know how I've put up with the nonsense for all this time. Probably due to the illness itself, and a resigned apathy that this is how it is, and always will be. But something has changed in me. They are getting a letter. In it I will explain how I might be able to afford the £10 printout charges if I wasn't paying for my own thyroid medication!!!

[editfmrt in reply to JoanofArc]

Good and as long as you never get abusive or raise your voice and are always making reasonable requests that they know are within your rights, then they are more likely to be reasonable in return.

Certainly never write letter with anything that can be construed as threatening. It's tempting to pour it out in the written word and have a rant and that won't help either.

It's difficult to keep your cool when you feel ill but it is counter productive and won't get you what you want. Polite determined persistence has worked for me. Good luck and I hope it goes well x

[begutbegut]

Hi Joan, I can sympathise! I had to go to Russia (where I'm originally from) to get a diagnosis and treatment (ended up having a partial thyroidectomy). I had a big goitre, but when I went to see the GP, she said "Well, I haven't seen you before, so perhaps your neck is supposed to look like that..." ?!?!

A

[editfmrt]

Helvella very kindly reminded me that it is the Data Protection Act and not Freedom of Information (as I posted above) you need to quote if you have problems getting test results I have FOI on the mind because I had to contact the Information Commissioners Office to get them to tell a hospital that that they had to disclose under the Data Protection data sharing protocols. They were very helpful and worth using if you hit barriers! Thanks for the prompt Hellvella!

[velator]

It's just bureaucracy all the way. Sad that you have to deal with this but it's always been like this. peerdiagnosis.com/symptoms-...

[Hidden]

OMG Joan. That sounds so much like my own doctor's surgery. Tell me are you with the Sutton Bridge medical centre in Lincs?

[Liverbird01]

Hi, am really baffled, one month I am hypothyroid, the next time I see my doctor he tells me all is ok with my bloods so not this time sonny. am so, so, confused.can, somebody on this site explain whats going on, I, cant get my head around whats been said to me by one dr, will get a second opinion, YES..

[Liverbird01]

HI, IS ANY-ONE THERE, WOULD REALLY VALUE ANY REPLY TO ME , LIVERBIRD 01..

[susie59 in reply to Liverbird01]

this thread is an older one Liverbird, you will get some replies if you start a new one by asking your question from a new start (if you see what I mean) I am sure someone who can help will answer. good luck,