Is this normal care

[Sullipepper]

Hi I'm new to DUK. I have asked various questions over the past few weeks. Today I wanted to ask if Its normal to take 3 months to be contacted by your surgery (a receptionist) regardng HB1c results. I requested this due to feeling unwell, thirst,peeing a lot and dry mouth. Between this my consultant (for immune problems) rang me regarding the same blood results worried about my inflamed liver,high colestral and much more. She gave me very good advice and reduced my meds. I found out about my Type 2 diagnosis purely by logging onto my patient records (Hb1c 8%). When ever I call the surgery they say you have your first appointment with the diabetic nurse in 3 months time. Is this normal not to be even told you have type 2 diabetes all this time. Should I be looking for a new Drs or is this the level of care.

 

[Ljc]

Hi. Tbh I think that having to wait three months for the first d nurse appt scandalous.
I understand these are difficult times but three months .
And not being officially informed of having diabetes is dreadful .
Tbh I would be making an official complaint either by email or letter , to create a paper trail , to the practice manager about both of these problems .

If you phone our helpline
03451232399 they may well be able to help you

 

[Pine Marten]

Hi @Sullipepper, I agree with Ljc, that is scandalous and definitely warrants a complaint. Unfortunately diabetes care seems to vary greatly, but it's not right that you have had to put up with this and be left dangling with no information. I would see if you could change doctors if possible (easier said than done, I know). All the best to you.

 

[Christy]

Shocking care. I think if you write a justified letter of complaint you'll suddenly find they can see you sooner. Not sure what the standard of care will be though. Sadly this seems to be occurring frequently but you shouldn't have to put up with it. You can get lots of help and advice here. I had zero input from gp other than 'lose weight'.

 

[helli]

You should not have to wait 3 months for an appointment but I wonder if there is some confusion around the blood tests.
The HBA1C result represents your average blood sugar level over the last 3 months. Therefore, it is not worth having this test more frequently than every 3 months (many of us only have it taken annually). So, if have had the test recently, the next test will not be ay sooner than 3 months time.

 

[Leadinglights]

I think you are very justified in making a formal complaint but I do find that people have to be proactive in following up results with the G P so HbA1C and most test results are usually back within a few days and then maybe another couple of days for the Dr to review so I always ring the surgery after about 5 days for the results.
3 months for an appointment is totally unacceptable.

 

[Sharron1]

As everyone has advised, a complaint is probably the way forward. I wish I had, my diagnosis was a telephone message from the receptionist telling me to.make an appointment with the Diabetes dr. I didn't even know I was diabetic. The sugar free icing on the cake was having my results explained to me by the same receptionist. I didn't think of making a complaint because I was in agony with an undiagnosed torn ligament. I regret not saying anything. I now approach my surgery with extreme caution.At my annual review I take my own note of BP, I weigh myself at Boots on the digital scales and take that slip of paper to them. If I could take my own blood, analyse myself believe me I would. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry about the long wait to be seen @Sullipepper

Almost certainly the situation isn’t being helped both by the pandemic itself, the pressures in the system, and the backlog of a year or more’s missed appointments!

And yes unfortunately you are not the first forum member to have reported finding out they have diabetes almost by accident - sometimes after many months or even years. Getting a diagnosis with a long term medical condition as potentially serious as diabetes really should be handled with a lot more sensitivity.

 

[Piglet]

Hi Sullipepper,

I would also see if there is a local support group close to you. They offer friendship and support and maybe a decent cuppa too.

 

[BlueArmy]

I agree, waiting 3 months is scandalous - and I would of been on the phone after 7 days beating on them. I also, out of principle, do not accept a conversation from a receptionist on my numbers, its not the done thing.

Have you considered getting the NHS app? If you download it and register with your NHS number, you can access all your test results as soon as the lab posts them. Might give you a better view of what is going on.

 

[Maca44]

Bad but it is not uncommon reading some newbie posts, they had me in the same day DR phoned with results then nothing for ages, at the time I thought that was bad after first appointment but reading other posts I was lucky.