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"Access to any healthcare"

About: NHS Lothian

(as a service user),

I have had ongoing issues with a department - but that is for another day.

I recently received a letter saying that my access is now restricted.  I am not allowed contact with any staff at NHS Lothian by telephone or email.  As for the letter, I disagree with a lot of it - but, again that is for another day.

However, with these restrictions, there is undoubtedly danger to my health.  From my perspective, I can't telephone my GP to make an appointment, I can't partake in a telephone consultation with my GP (I had to cancel one for this morning), I can't telephone NHS24 and probably couldn't phone 999 either.

Last week, I emailed a repeat medication request to my GP practice.  I received an email 4 days later saying it had been forwarded to my GP practice.  Well, that is where I sent it?

Thankfully, the medication wasn't critical - but, that shouldn't matter.  This was dangerous.

I have asked and asked and asked for clarification on whether i am allowed to speak to my GP - and have been met with silence.

My health hasn't been too good in recent months.  So, I need my doctor.  However, I don't know how I am meant to speak to my doctor.

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Responses

Response from Jeannette Morrison, Head of Patient Experience, NHS Lothian 3 years ago
Jeannette Morrison
Head of Patient Experience,
NHS Lothian
Submitted on 19/08/2020 at 17:43
Published on Care Opinion at 17:43


Dear AnotherSickIrrelevance

Thank you very much for shairng your feedback with us. l am sorry to read of your experiences and can appreciate that this has been a difficult time.

I read that you have received a letter. Please be assured that the decisions to send these letters are not taken lighlty and I am sorry that you have found yourself in this situation.

Please be assured that your access to healthcare is not being limited or restricted and you should contact your GP in the first instance.

If you do have any new complaints the Patient Experience Team can be contacted and their details are on the NHS Lothian internet site. Alternatively the Patient Advice and Support Services are also their for support.

With kind regards

Jeannette

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