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There was no empathy, no help

Posted By lxjx

"There was no empathy, no help"

About: General Practices in Grampian

(as the patient),

I have had ongoing numbness, altered sensation in my left arm and head which is getting worse every day. I have been back and forth to A&E when the symptoms get rapidly worse but waiting neuro appointment.

I had phone call with the GP, whom said nothing can be expedited and that there was no mention of neurological issues when I was last in A&E when that was the whole reason I was in! They were rude and kept saying they can’t do anything and I don’t know and to wait until neurology (25 weeks for urgent..).

I phoned the line for an on the day appointment, as since being sent by 111 to A&E and discharged my symptoms are getting worse (can’t feel legs, pins and needles and rigouring in arm etc, deaf in one ear, etc). I was very happy I got a same day appointment.

Just before the appointment, throughout the appointment and even after I got home, my right arm was shaking and rigouring and twitching continuously and wouldn’t stop. The doctor already began saying they couldn’t do anything else, but then they asked me to take my jacket off so could assess. I was trying to with my left arm (which is already got altered sensation and pins and needles and very weak) and my teeth, and the doctor shouted at me to use both my arms which I obviously can not, and was rolling their eyes at me and sat and watched me struggle on instead.

The doctor also was asking me to hold a book and kept saying with a raised voice and with an attitude, whilst I physically could not. I kept saying I can’t and this is the problem, and I felt they didn’t listen to anything I said. 

There was no empathy, no help, and they kept just saying I don’t know and nothing I can do, and was shouting at me like I am making it up that my whole arm is shaking and I can’t do anything. It was a horrible experience and the doctor made me cry.

I could never treat anyone like this doctor treated me.

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Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 2 weeks ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 24/04/2025 at 14:14
Published on Care Opinion at 14:14

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear lxjx,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story on Care Opinion. I’m genuinely sorry this was your experience at the GP, no-one should be shouted at during an appointment.

I know it has been a couple of weeks since you posted this feedback, but if you're symptoms are worsening, please do get back in touch with the practice and ask for another appointment. Feeling like you are not being listened to is frustrating and it takes a lot of energy to be persistent when you’re not well, but worsening symptoms shouldn’t be ignored – even whilst waiting for neuro appointment. Sometimes GP’s have specialist topics and it might be worth asking the practice team for advice around which GP is the best to see for your symptoms – though this may mean you have to wait a few weeks for an appointment.

Most of the GP Practices in Grampian are independently run and aren’t registered to respond to feedback received via Care Opinion. They don’t routinely access the feedback either so the practice won’t see this without it going straight to them. The best option is to contact the practice directly and share your concerns with the practice manager. I understand this means revealing your identity and not everyone feels comfortable doing that, but it does mean they will be able to look into the details of your particular experience. They will also be able share with you any changes they make to improve care for future patients.

If you don’t feel comfortable getting in touch with the practice yourself, and aren’t keen for your story to be looked into in more detail, I can forward your story to them anonymously. To do this I’d need you to share the practice name with me directly. I can be contacted on email: kirsten.dickson@nhs.scot or by text/phone: 07885720267. Any personal information that is shared with me when doing so, stays with me, and is not shared with the practice. Help is also available to share your concerns with the GP Practice from the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS). PASS are an independent service offering free and confidential advice and they can be contacted on 0800 917 2127, or for more information please go to www.patientadvicescotland.org.uk.

Take care,

Kirsten

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