Oh dear - and it was all going so well... and then I met the doctors 'receptionist'...

Ok, yesterday, I was told by the doctor over the phone that I could have my blood results... but not to put too much value on them as it was much more important to go on how you are feeling.

Very nice - but its such a shame that this was NOT my experience at this surgery in 2012 and I have decided to become more pro-active. 'Normal' is no longer good enough, I want optimal health, not ok health. Although I'm responding well to Levothyroxine I believe I'm undermedicated. Maybe my surgery have seen the error of their ways, I thought... progress indeed.

Anyway, today I pop in to collect my request for my yearly blood test (yes I had to ask for this... is this another money saving exercise I wonder).

So whilst there, and feeling optimistic, I ask the receptionist for my past test results as promised by the doctor. Apparently, they're not trained to give these out! So the answer is 'No'. The doctor will have to call me and discuss this with me. Did I imagine the conversation I had yesterday with the doctor? Obviously hypothyroids do a lot of imagining...

Secondly, explained the receptionist, if the doctor says it's ok for me to have my blood results, there's going to be a £10 charge for EACH printout! On the NHS!

Being able to monitor results myself seems to be more challenging than I had thought. Here begineth the 'games'...

After having become more informed via this site, I'm not entirely surprised, but very disappointed

[helvella Administrator]

On the basis that the records are on computer, they cannot charge more than £10 for them, including post and packing. So, instead of asking for one or two, request your entire records.

Have a look here regarding fees:

Fees to get a copy of health records

If you want a copy of the health records, the fee will depend on how the records are stored:

on computer: maximum £10

partly on computer and partly in another form: maximum £50

entirely in another form: maximum £50

The maximum charges include postage and packaging.

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/fees-for-a...

And I'd be pathetically tempted to make sure you get them posted. Just to annoy them further.

Rod

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Hehehe - you've really cheered me up!

Thank you Rod for the info and I love the last comment

I'm on just enough levo to be quite a nuisance if they won't behave themselves!

[Moggie]

I would be printing off the link that Rod has posted and sticking it right under this receptionist's nose. You might also want to add a little sarcastic comment like "you really should check that the information you are giving patients is correct" and make sure you do it when the surgery is packed out with other patients.

I hate receptionists like this and my theory is that they are wannaby GP's that didn't make the grade and this is their little bit of power.

Moggie x

[Hidden in reply to Moggie]

Yes, I'll be following this up - adzie69 suggests the manager - I think this is a good idea as I don't want to get irritated any more by the receptionists.

x

[siskin in reply to Moggie]

My practice manager is a jumped up receptionist without any obvious managerial training or people skills.

[GuardianAngel]

I have to say when I ask my surgery I can normally prize the results of the test and not get normal from most of them. The Endo even sent me a print out when I asked at no charge.

Yet another item done to a lottery I guess.

xx

[Hidden in reply to GuardianAngel]

'Normal' should be banned by GPs. They should start thinking 'optimal' instead. I'll go in after the next results are done - I'm hoping the GP who I spoke to on the 'phone will be more supportive.

[Hidden]

I paid £10 last year for a complete set of my test results - fair enough, but yesterday I went in to collect ONE more page to bring them up-to-date and a further £10 was demanded. Total outrage!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I agree - it's shocking to be charged - I guess it puts some off, so they have less of us 'troublesome' patients to deal with.

[adzie69]

Speak to the MANAGER of the Heath centre! ....most receptionists are amongst the most poncey women I have ever met, just who do they think they are!?....are they 'doing us a favour' ?! NO we pay their bl**dy wages!!!.. as we do the doctors.

People forget we pay a lot of money in NI contributions and various other taxes...they work for US.....dont they?

Nightmare.

x

[Hidden in reply to adzie69]

Yes, I will follow this up. I've paid into the NHS for 30 years - so you're right - I/we deserve better. I have another blood test tomorrow so will act on this next week and request actual results again then. I hadn't thought about speaking to the manager - thank you!

[Hidden]

I'm preparing myself for a battle - but one way or another, I WILL get those results!

[siskin]

Offer a credit card and ask for a VAT receipt, especially at 10 p a sheet. It won't be worth their bother as part goes to Cr Card Co.. Make sure you have the results in your mit before produing the card.

[Hidden in reply to siskin]

Thank you for this Siskin! I'll remember this if ever I'm in this situation again. There was a happy follow up.

After a major whinge, telling receptionist I'm on a low income (only able to work part-time) and a letter handed in regarding the management of my condition last year (the good stuff as well as the discrepencies) the next day I received a phone call with the results and ranges.

These are quite revealing and after my next results are in, I'll go and discuss these with the GP who told me 'results are only for guidance. It's much more important to listen to symptoms...' My symptoms are telling me that while I'm loads better than a year ago, I'm still undermedicated.

I'm interested to see if this GP will practise as he preaches... and I'm preparing my evidence

[siskin in reply to Hidden]

Go girl go. At least Gp acknowledges "results are for GUIDANCE ONLY"

Preparing evidence is such a chore, there is so much that contradicts, I find it difficult to get the info. that will convince doc. but don't present something that refutes my own point.

Hope you soon get it sorted.