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"Handled my case of infertility awfully"

About: Forest Health Group

My review is about an experience rather than a general review, so please bare with me whilst I explain. I had an appointment with this doctors for a miscarriage and a long time in between periods. The Dr sent me for blood tests to see if I have high male hormones indicating PCOS. I went for the blood tests and called back at a later date for the results, the receptionist told me that there was findings to point to a problem. The receptionist did their best to explain them and I am so grateful for that - finding out that you may never be able to have children at 19 is extremely difficult so I appreciated her taking the time to explain the findings.

Up until this point, my experience with the surgery was fantastic. After speaking to the receptionist, I was still really upset and confused so asked to speak to a Doctor. I was trying to heal from the miscarriage and this was all getting too much, my mental health was plummeting so the receptionist arranged an emergency telephone appointment later that day, but with another GP, I was not told this. A few hours later I had the worst experience I have ever had with a Doctor. The GP that called me was the opposite gender so I was slightly confused, the person asked me ‘what’s the matter’ and ‘why are you calling’, the tone of their voice was extremely patronising and threw me off. I knew this wasn’t my GP at this point and the thought of explaining everything again made me feel sick, I don’t understand why they hadn’t read my file or why I had arranged this call. I proceeded to tell them that I wanted to know what the blood tests meant to which they replied ‘it probably means you have PCOS which is fine, do you want me to send some information over’. To this I was shocked. I told them not to bother and put the phone down. Not to mention that PCOS is the leading cause of infertility and comes with a whole range of medical issues like depression, to be told that I would simply get information through the post was awful. It took me a good 2 hours to stop hysterically crying and be able to form a sentence. I then called again to ask how to complain to which the receptionist was extremely compassionate and apologetic which was what I needed. I did complain online and the only progression that came of the complaint was an email from this GP, ever so vaguely explaining the blood tests. That is all I wanted and I couldn’t believe that this whole scenario had come from this simple request. A few days later my normal GP rang me and explained everything in detail also telling me where we go from here. I really wish it was handled differently. It was so traumatic and has made me nervous to speak to other people about having PCOS, just in case they glance over it like this Doctor did.

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Responses

Response from Forest Health Group 4 years ago
Forest Health Group
Submitted on 22/05/2019 at 16:08
Published on nhs.uk at 17:06


We are sorry to hear of this Anonymous patient's experience particularly with the telephone consultation with the GP.

Please be assured this is not the experience we would like a patient to have when contacting the surgery and we would like to apologise if the service on this occasion was not up to the standard both the patient and the practice would like. Unfortunately we are unable to identify the patient and therefore unable to comment on specific circumstances and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with the patient. We are pleased to hear you found the reception to be helpful and are particularly glad there is a positive note

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