i got very upset at gp appointment, sorry for the long story

[traceycat]

i went to see my gp today as i was having very bad pains in my legs and very cold feet, i do suffer from neuropathy in both feet so i know these things can happen but she started going on at me about not attending my appointments with my nurse for bloods etc. ive been diabetic 2 years now and only ever was asked to be seen once in all that time, i told her i got my feet checked on dignoses day 2yr ago and i was supposed to be called in a year but wasnt, she has now refared me as urgent to the prodiest which should be in about 4 week time. im now going to see my nurse on wednesday for all my bloods to be done, and she also did my blood pressure which by the way was supposed to be checked regulary as it is high and im on ramipril for it but was told about 8 months ago that they may have to increase the dose which was only done today as it was 170/90. the thing that upset me the most was that she was making it all out to be my fault for not coming to them, how can i just turn up if im not told to. she then ask what diabetes clinics do i attend an i said i was never refared to any in which she replied awh yeah your not on insulin just metformin so you wouldnt need to, is this right? then when i went to reception to get my new appointment she asked are you sure your gonna turn up for it, i admit i did miss one appointment once for astma review but i realy found them all very cheeky and i ended up going home in tears. sorry for my bad spelling and for the long rant but i just needed to get it all out of my system, im still fuming and very upset about it all, and keep wondering if i should have been more demanding from the beginning.

 

[AlisonM]

That's appalling, I would write a letter of complaint to the PCT responsible for your surgery. No-one should be treated that way, and they have slipped up by not offering you regular checkups. On your own behalf though, you might make a note in your diary to call them and arrange to have your checks done regularly. Also, don't suffer in silence. If you're in pain or worried about something, call them.

Sadly, T2s are not routinely referred to Diabetic clinics unless they use insulin or something like byetta. Have you at least had your retinopathy tests done? If not call the surgery about it first thing in the morning. And don't feel bad, the oversight is theirs, not yours.

 

[losinen]

No-one should make you feel like that, especially the people who are there to help you. I think us T2's are often made to feel it's our own fault we have the condition and sadly, there are many others out there with that point of view. You have been failed in that you should have been looked after and you haven't been. I would make another appointment and let the Doctor know how you felt about the appointment you've just had. You may find she is horrified that she left you feeling that way.

 

[KateR]

No-one should make you feel like that, especially the people who are there to help you. I think us T2's are often made to feel it's our own fault we have the condition and sadly, there are many others out there with that point of view.

I quite agree and feel the same Tracey. Chin up and I hope you get kinder treatment next time you see your GP.

 

[lucy123]

I quite agree and feel the same Tracey. Chin up and I hope you get kinder treatment next time you see your GP.

I wonder if when you missed the asthma appointment your cards were marked and both gp and receptionist were 'reminding' you.

I do think you should speak up about how they made you feel - could you ask them if they have an email address you could write to - or if not send a letter. I always find it better to put things accross calmly but directly in writing - face to face I go to pieces.

I am never contacted for a follow up appt - I make my own - 3 months apart. I put it in my calendar at work, the same as I do for repeat meds. I was only given a podiatrist appointment when my toe nails fell off! I do get a letter for my annual retinopathy appointment though.

 

[Caroline]

It is awfull when a doctor makes you feel like that, it has happened to me too. Now when I am offered an appointment with her I ask for one of the other doctors and if I can't have it I say I'm going to the drop in centre or A&E.

I hope you get things sorted soon and you feel better.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

How absolutely terrible for you to be made to feel that way when it was them that didn't book you in for regular appointments! Sounds like they felt guilty to me.

Either that or they are getting heat for missing their targets in terms of keeping patient records/checks up to date (GP surgeries get QoF payment points for things like regular A1c/chol/blood pressure/feet checks - and even more points if those results are in good ranges).

Hope you get better care in the future.

 

[trophywench]

Gggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ......

Can you change surgeries?

 

[dmarshall]

I am sorry you was treated this way ,,,,I must say my the care i get at my doctors and by my DAFNE team is first class .

 

[Katieb]

I think the way you have been treated is disgusting! You are a patient with rights and they are there to provide you with a service and treat you with respect! It is their job to support and care for you! Please don't feel it was your fault and I agree with others on here, you should complain! You have lots of support from others here, so I hope that helps. Perhaps a follow-up appointment with your dcotor to discuss what both they and you can do to work together to manage your condition might be helpful? Go back and tell them how they made you feel when you are feeling a little stronger. You haven't done anything wrong! Sending you a hug for support.{{{}}} Katiex

 

[AndyS]

Hi Tracey

I wouldn't stand for that treatment for one second. I experienced an extremely rude Doctor a few years ago. I let her go on for about 30 seconds until she poked her finger right in my face I stood up and walked out.

Later that day I went to another practise and they registered me in 10 minutes. Within a week all my medical records had been transfered.

Best move I ever made. The staff at the new surgery are first class 🙂

Regards

Andy

 

[trophywench]

Precisely my feelings Andy.

I had a stroppy letter from my surgery saying I'd missed 2 appointments. No I ruddy well hadn't - I'd cancelled the first one as it was arranged miles in advance and then we booked a holiday, they said they had sent me a new one whilst I was away yet when I returned (think we'd been gone 3.5 weeks) only the stroppy one was awaiting me.

I had rebooked the first appointment - at the reception desk, when I actually went in there to cancel it! - not over the phone! - and they denied all knowledge of it.

Made an appt with the Practice Manager and got THAT removed from my records PDQ.

 

[alisonz]

I've been T2 for the last 18 months and my GP has told me I only need to be seen once a year and bloods once a year. Makes a mockery of the media saying we need regular checks really, how can they tell what my HbA1c was like 6 months ago lol I've given up to be honest and feel that as long as I do my best to look after myself and stay healthy then poop to the doctor

 

[nitaduck]

hi traceycat
my sympathies to u the way u were treated was appalling - i have to say i was transferred to the diabetic clinic at our local hospital and the thats the best service i have ever had regarding my T2 diabetes - unfortunately i am now back at the GP's (practice diabete nurse) and no longer know when i am due for check ups, cannot access any help with my eating and almost given up.
however i have an appt next week as i want to change my medication (gliclazides) - i have plenty of info and my brother as an example of how some people can gain weight whilst taking them so i am going in armed.
since my daughter was diagnosed 8yrs ago with T1 i have neglected my own diabetes
anyhow i hope you feeling lots better now and try not to let them get u down - keep fighting and remember you have rights
nita

 

[traceycat]

thank you everyone for your replies and sorry im only getting to read them now, i havent been on my laptop and only been using my phone but cant access this forum on it.
im feeling a little better about it all now although i was still quite upset over the weekend which didnt help my blood pressure. anyway im up with the nurse on wednesday morning so i will see how she is with me and if i find that she is nasty or starts talking down to me as if im not a human beig i will be looking into changing my surgery. your right i dont think anyone should be spoken to in that way. feeling quite nervous about seeing her incase i break down if she starts going on at me about it all but im dedermined to stay strong.
i will keep you updated on how it goes.
thanks again for all the support, reading all your replies has realy helped 🙂

 

[MargB]

Tracey, that is awful. Like others I make my own appointments and have started writing in my diary when they are due. But on diagnosis I was told they would call me in when bloods, checkups etc were due. They never have!!

Have you had your retinopathy appointments? If not, then your surgery has not informed the PCT. It is the PCT who sends out those appointments and once you are in the system, you should get your letter automatically each year.

Makes you wonder what exactly has been written on your record. Is there a Practice Manager to whom you could speak to and have this sorted out. For crying out loud, if a GP's surgery cannot cope with people being absent through illness, who the heck can? Too many boxes to be ticked and targets to be met. Patients? - just mess up the system!

 

[lucy123]

Hi Tracey,

If the nurse is out of order again, I wouldn't even sit there. Stand up and politely tell her she has upset you and you are therefore going to end the appointment and make an appointment with the practice manager. She will then probably calm down and ask you to stay and talk - but keep walking!

If you do see the Practice Manager ask her if you can see your records so you can see if anything wrong is on there - you have a right to see them but may need another appointment to do so.

Hopefully it will turn out okay🙂

 

[traceycat]

Tracey, that is awful. Like others I make my own appointments and have started writing in my diary when they are due. But on diagnosis I was told they would call me in when bloods, checkups etc were due. They never have!!

Have you had your retinopathy appointments? If not, then your surgery has not informed the PCT. It is the PCT who sends out those appointments and once you are in the system, you should get your letter automatically each year.

Makes you wonder what exactly has been written on your record. Is there a Practice Manager to whom you could speak to and have this sorted out. For crying out loud, if a GP's surgery cannot cope with people being absent through illness, who the heck can? Too many boxes to be ticked and targets to be met. Patients? - just mess up the system!

i to will start making my own appointments marg and will write all appointments down from now on, i bought an organiser and have it on my kitchen wall to make sure i never forget anything.
i had my retinopathy appointment about 15 months ago at my clinic, i will also ask her about this on wednesday. thanks for your advice 🙂

 

[traceycat]

Hi Tracey,

If the nurse is out of order again, I wouldn't even sit there. Stand up and politely tell her she has upset you and you are therefore going to end the appointment and make an appointment with the practice manager. She will then probably calm down and ask you to stay and talk - but keep walking!

If you do see the Practice Manager ask her if you can see your records so you can see if anything wrong is on there - you have a right to see them but may need another appointment to do so.

Hopefully it will turn out okay🙂

thanks lucy. thats what i will do otherwise i know i would just fall apart an start crying or loss my temper. im hoping your right an all goes well 🙂

 

[AlisonM]

One other thing Tracey. Is there anyone who could go with you when you see the nurse? It can be a great help to have some moral support along.