Complaining to Surgery manager

[NWA6]

It’s an old article but it sums up how I feel

telegraph.co.uk/news/health...

I waited all day today for a phone consultation with one of the GPs at my surgery only to be phoned by a receptionist to tell me that that doctor won’t be phoning today because mine is a ‘complex case with lots of people all ready involved’. About a month ago I changed my Nominated GP, we’ve never really got on and going to see her for anything thyroid or otherwise just filled me with dread. The straw that broke me was her referral letter, so one sided and painted me as a non compliant patient. Since I changed I haven’t actually spoken to the new GP (I did see her side kick - they work in tandem so essentially if one is off or over booked you can see the other) The side kick was good when I asked for an adjustment to meds based on my symptoms.

But today all I needed was any old GP to write me a referral letter so I can see I private endocrinologist but no, she won’t get involved, I have to see my named GP - I never bloody met her! She’ll know nothing about me!

Why oh why is an NHS referral even bloody needed! I’m going to self fund! I’m trying to find a doctor who actually knows what they are talking about!! 😠😠😠 So mad, Ive just been on/off crying!! Which I hate because I’m stronger than this! I feel trapped and beholden to an archaic system that say ‘thou shalt not question!’

But let’s not forget how ‘free’ we are! How lucky we are to live in this country, the freedom is just an illusion 😢

[Hidden]

I feel ya ❤🙏 x

[shaws]

Doctors and endocrinologists seem to have lost their way in diagnosing/treating people who're hypothyroid. Let's get back to put the patients' clinical symptoms at the forefront of diagnosing and blood tests secondary.

Doctors who use (used) their commonsense are pursued by the 'authorities' and some may even have lost their licences and the stress they undergo is enormous i.e. for helping patients' recover. Instead they've to use guidelines which keep many unwell and those who do not improve on levo are not even given an opportunity of a trial of another thyroid hormone, i.e. the addition of T3 to T4 or NDT. The fact that the authoirities have made False Statements about a product in use since 1892 and without blood tests were given a trial of NDT. It saved many lives.

When we've tried to follow some of the advice we're given and not improving we know instinctively that something isn't right and they are wrong. We, the patients, once we have expanded our knowledge about hypothyroidism (which really shouldn't be necessary) we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Some may have already lost jobs or have family difficulties which they could well do without.

pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d4...

If you are going to see a private endocrinologist, I would double-check with Dionne at Thyroiduk the name of the person rather than waste your time/money. email Dionne at:

[e-mail]

[NWA6 in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws. I am beyond livid! I just cry when I’m angry/frustrated! I wish I could handle the whole situation more ‘professionally’ ie without feeling but everyday that goes by (into my 5th month of having no help, no direction) is a difficult day. Whilst I do have a stable family life, this is affecting my kids, my babies, they’re not babies anymore, 17,15,13,11yrs but teenagers need a strong role model now more than ever before. I’m so sorry for them!

I know I’m preaching to the converted, there are new stories everyday on this forum, each story as heartbreaking as the next. I’m a fixer, a problem solver, I’m not a worrier, I make things better but THIS! This is beyond me for now and I can’t see the future, I’m so sad! But on the bright side I feel that my 2wks of VitD/K must be working if I’m feeling this level of emotion! 😬

A member of this board has given me a recommendation for an Endocrinologist but I’m still have no hope. I have a long deep rooted disdain for those in the medical profession, it may not be fair to most that I feel this way but it started when I was a child and spent 2mths in hospital and they were bigots and treated me harshly because of my heritage. Maybe I give of that vibe when I’m with a Doctor. Maybe I’ve only myself to blame? If I could smile more sweetly and treat them like gods then maybe I’d get better treatment 😢

[NWA6 in reply to NWA6]

Sorry! I waffling! It’s cathartic to type it out, to share my feelings with others who understand

[TSH110 in reply to NWA6]

We shouldn’t have to treat them like gods we pay GP’s £100k a year and god only knows what consultants make! The problem is with them being unprofessional whilst pulling a huge salary like that and pretending to be a professional. Just seen how old this post is no idea how I ended up on it 2 years too late!

[NWA6 in reply to TSH110]

Lol Sometimes old posts get a revival because it’s just same shit, different day. Doesn’t matter what year it is, there’s a recurrent theme in all of our stories.

[TSH110 in reply to NWA6]

So true, sadly

[MaisieGray]

Unless the private Dr you wish to see, has specifically asked for a referral from your NHS GP, as a general rule you don't need one. You simply contact them to ask for an appointment.

[NWA6 in reply to MaisieGray]

Yes this particular Professor has asked for a referral.

[MissGrace]

What a palaver! So sorry you are being delayed in this way. It takes long enough to get well with this condition when you have a decent GP or endo, let alone being delayed by poor practice. Keep fighting - you will get there because you are determined. Don’t let them grind you down. Too many hypos are suffering in silence from this debilitating condition that drains the ability to struggle against the machine out of you. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

[NWA6 in reply to MissGrace]

Thank you MissGrace 🙂 it’s so hard to keep up my resilience when I’m surrounded by people who continually tell me I’m wrong 😟 Your words are really encouraging, thank you 😊

[MissGrace in reply to NWA6]

When I needed a letter of referral recently for a private dexa scan, I wrote the letter myself and dropped into the GP’s surgery and asked for his signature and stamp - which he did! Lazy bugger! Quicker than waiting for him to do it, get it typed etc. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

[NWA6 in reply to MissGrace]

😱 oh my god!! 😂 The Lady GP’s at my surgery would have a field day with that!! 😂 I can just see them all now at lunch together eating their quinoa ‘who the f**k does she think she is!!’ Lol 😆 I swear I’m the talk of the town since I dared to change my GP and when the practice manager asked me if I had someone in mind I said ‘anyone with even a shred of sympathy for someone with Hashimotos’ you get the jist 😬

[dtate2016 in reply to MissGrace]

Absolutely! That works almost every time. We used to do this in the legal world. Write the order / ruling we wanted and the judge would “rubber stamp” it - worked 85% of the time. (This was civil / domestic court here in the US)

[Hidden]

Been there, done that.

If I was stood beside you I would give you a great big hug.

"Many" years ago I discovered this quote--

“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented”

I don't think the following link will ever happen in the NHS.

Shared Decision-Making in Endocrinology: A Vital Clinical Tool

endocrineweb.com/profession...

Shared decision-making is a patient-centred approach incorporating a deliberative dialogue between the physician and patient that facilitates more understanding and helps pin-point the best treatment option.

[NWA6 in reply to Hidden]

And I would welcome a hug 🤗 That quote is so true. When I first came on this forum looking for help, the advice was ‘take your husband to your appointments’ unfortunately this wouldn’t help me becUse my husband has a fear of authority figures and becomes child like by mostly staying silent and agreeing with everything that is said. It’s very frustrating but he is who he is and he’s supportive at home where it matters 😊

[RedApple in reply to NWA6]

Paula6, I understand what you say about your husband. However, it still may be useful to have him with you. If not him, then someone else who's familiar with your situation. It's not necessarily about 'a man', or about someone actually 'speaking out' for you. Often, simply having someone else in the room (a chaperone) can moderate the way a doctor behaves towards you. It's also useful to have someone there as a 'second ear', to remind you of what was said, should you forget when you leave the room.

[NWA6 in reply to RedApple]

Yes I get that RedApple and indeed it’s not my descion any more as I’m unable to drive with an acceptable amount of clarity ie spacing out, loosing concentration, getting flustered in unknown navigation and slow reaction times. So he’ll have to drive me 😩

[RedApple in reply to NWA6]

Ah yes, I get the driving problem. Giving that up was one of the first things I did (before I even plucked up courage to go to a doctor). I knew I wasn't able to rely on my brain and body to keep others (and myself) safe on the road. No part of me seemed to work properly any more and I was terrified I would be the cause of a catastrophic accident. Those who've not experienced it simply can't understand how we feel, especially when there are (apparently) so many out there who just take their levo and carry on a normal life

Here's hoping you'll get back on track very soon.

[dtate2016 in reply to RedApple]

Yes, yes, yes! I often think that there’s going to be a whole new profession out there - medical advocate! The doctors are going to love that aren’t they?!!

[serenfach]

I find myself shouting "but that is not FAIR!" quite often, like a little girl. I still expect things to be fair, to be treated like they would their Mum. Yes, I know, daft of me!

Why not write to the Professor and explain that you and the GP do not see eye to eye, that her referral letter contained inaccuracies and that you were fully compliant with the medical treatment, but feel that her depth of knowledge for the thyroid is lacking, which is why you are desperate for help and would love to see him.

Stick to the facts, and it may make him see through the bluff in the referral letter. It cannot do any harm.

Sending you a big fat hug. Let us know how you get on.

[NWA6 in reply to serenfach]

😂exactly me too! Life is unfair! It’s so annoying! 😂

I have just spoken to another GP this afternoon and she is going to write a referral. The whole process just seems so protracted! It’s not fair!! Lol

Why can we not search out our own Dr, make a consultation meeting decide if we like them or not and proceed or find another? Doesn’t ever other business run like that? Why are DR’s so different? 😩

[QandA]

Hi Paula, I have resorted to a private GP when I want a referral that I think will be a problem with the NHS GP's. It shouldn't be the case, but I find when you see someone privately they are more willing to listen (I should hope so with what they cost, but it saves me getting high blood pressure dealing with the usual lot).