"Rude Member of Staff "

I had an appointment on 12 May - with a nurse - haven't seen an actual GP for over 2 years. Bloods were taken, I rang for the results yesterday, a week later. During the appointment, I'd asked for a definitive diagnosis of joint and bone pain. I'd been told at a previous appointment that arthritis had been noted in my neck during a CT scan months previously. I hadn't been informed at the time. I was told that any other joint pain was "probably arthritis" too.

Having been told some 12/14 years ago I have fibromyalgia, I wanted to know if the pain were indeed arthritis, or a flare up of fibromyalgia; which hasn't really bothered me that much over the years.

When I rang about the bloods, I asked about my referral to Benenden - which I had asked for during my appointment. The nice lady I spoke to said the medical secretary had gone home and would phone me today.

She phoned early and proceeded to tell me how a referral to Benenden works; an organisation I have been a member of for over 50 years. Since it was just Civil Service and Post Office. She also said she was only up to 8 May dictation/drafts for letters. She constantly talked over me.

I hadn't yet approached Benenden because I didn't have the referral letter, or indeed even knew it was being done. My partner got a referral form for them the Same day a couple of weeks ago, from an actual doctor. So I did what she'd said, Benenden sent the link for the referral, which expires in 48 hours, I doubt I'll get the referral letter in time. I can ask for another link. I just hope the referral is correct, and has the relevant information for Benenden.

I don't like being talked over when I'm trying to explain my point of view. I'm aware of the strain GP surgeries are under. But this isn't the first time I've been let down and undiagnosed by this practice.

I apologise for any mistakes in this. It's virtually impossible to read it through as I cannot scroll up easily.