Getting Blood results from Gp ?

[Spoticus]

my Daughter has just had blood tests done , the results came back the same day & she received a msg to contact the Surgery to see the Doctor. The only appointment she could get was the end of December. She told the Receptionist that she was Concerned as they were Abnormal & could she look at the Results . They said No , not until the doctor had seen them at her appointment. They then said they could tell her that her B12 & Vitamin D were very low and there were other abnormal results. Can they refuse to give her the Results until she’s seen the Doctor?? .

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

I'd argue that end of December is unacceptable and is causing distress.

Is she in England? Has she got the NHS England app? Can she not see the results there?

[Spoticus in reply to helvella]

Yes in England & she has the app but they haven’t put the results on there . It is ridiculous how long t is to wait for appointments.

[tattybogle]

it's usual protocol to say you can't see your results until the GP has seen the RESULTS first .,, but that doesn't necessarily mean the GP has to see YOU first .

However if for example they were concerning in some way ,then yes it's possible the GP may want to discuss in person first , eg say the results suggested a concerning/ serious diagnosis , and GP would not want people worrying unnecessarily until the implications were explained ... not saying this is the case here obviously ,just saying sometimes there are legitimate reasons for wanting to discus results with patient first. Perhaps try asking reception for clarification of reason , ... receptionist may have just got it wrong .. but if GP has stated they want to speak to you first re. the thyroid results .. (or heaven forbid if no GP has actually looked at them yet) , then you may have to wait for the appointment . (or wait untill a GP has read them )

[Spoticus in reply to tattybogle]

That’s what worried her & they said she needed an appointment to get the results but they said there was nothing to worry about just A few abnormal results!! . Our surgery has been taken over by a Corporate co & it’s been hard trying to get appointments.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is she currently diagnosed as hypothyroid/Hashimoto’s?

She is legally entitled to printed copies of her blood test results and ranges…..once GP has seen them

If not currently got online access to medical records ….request to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

It’s unacceptable to have to wait 3 weeks for results especially as B12 and Vitamin are D are low and “other abnormal results”

She could start supplementing vitamin D now

Government recommends everyone supplements vitamin D October to April

[Spoticus in reply to SlowDragon]

She has the NHS app but no results on there yet. Her Thyroid was one of the tests FBC & Hormones. We have rung a few times to see if they will give her an appointment that day . No luck yet ..

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I had this problem a while ago with my surgery and argued the point with them. The GP has to see the results first and give permission for them to be passed on to the patient. If there are any abnormalities and doctor wishes to discuss the results with you then they can withhold them until that time.

I argued that if we were to discuss my results I needed to know them in advance so that I could prepare for the appointment and that I was legally entitled to them. It made no difference, they would not release them, I ended up saying they were just being awkward. I was told I could make a Subject Access Request and that would take 30 days to get the results.

However, I only had to wait a few days for a telephone appointment so not as long as your daughter. But end of December is 3 weeks away so they could argue that is not unacceptably long in the current circumstances.

[arTistapple]

Yes another ‘not working’ protocol dreamed up by the NHS. If the surgery cannot fulfil its duty towards the patient it clearly is not upholding its part of the bargain. I am not suggesting the patient should not be told there is a problem with her results but for goodness sake, leaving her hanging? It’s so typical of the inhumanity appearing everywhere within the NHS.

[Spoticus in reply to arTistapple]

That’s the problem, if they decide she needs more tests we have to wait for an appointment for that . Then try and get another Doctors appointment & it won’t be the same Doctor. It’s just awful.

[Wickety]

Apologies if you have already tried/thought of this. Ring at 8am ask for telephone appointment that same day and speak to GP. My understanding is the telephone appointment does not need to be for an emergency visit.

[Spoticus in reply to Wickety]

We did try a few times but by the time you get through all appointments are gone and you are told to try again tomorrow. That’s not easy when she is getting her little one of to school. All designed to be difficult!!

[Hidden in reply to Spoticus]

Most schools will be flexible with drop off times if she speaks to them and explains.

They might be able to get her daughter into breakfast club to help.

It's all totally ridiculous and 100% shouldn't be necessary but unfortunately it is.

[1tuppence]

Does your GP surgery have on-line appointment booking? Mine releases slots for on-line booking half an hour before they open the phone-line booking. Worth checking with your surgery tomorrow...I know it's a pain, but it may help?

[Spoticus in reply to 1tuppence]

Unfortunately no , I’ve heard some Surgeries do an E - Consult. We don’t have that either..