"Failure to follow up on medication"

I attended an annual blood test for my HB1ac test. Part of this process also included checking of my blood pressure. It was diagnosed as slightly high and a scheduled visit to the nurse was arranged for the following week.

Two days after I attended the initial visit, I attended a work related medical. Again, my blood pressure was taken and returned values of 169/105. I was referred to my doctor and restricted at work. A few days later I attended a blood pressure test again at my surgery. My blood pressure returned results of 159/101. The results were escalated to the GP from the nurse. I hadn’t heard anymore information until I collected a repeat prescription for my diabetes. Enclosed was Ramapril and the instructions on the box were to take one per day.

After 1 week, I contacted my surgery to ask if I was required to have my blood pressure checked periodically to determine if the tablets were effective. I was told I would be checked annually but they would put the question to a GP. I had no response for 5 days. I contacted the surgery again but they had no information about the phone call 5 days earlier. They said they would pass it to a GP.

I was contacted later that day and told I would be checked annually and the dosage I was given was correct. Ten minutes later I was called by the surgery again. The details had also been passed to the Practice nurse who insisted I make an appointment to see her. What annoys me more is there was intention of any follow up to find out if the medication was making an improvement in my blood pressure or hypertension and quite frankly the gp’s dismissive response I believe is not acceptable, given this could cause long term damage to my heart or lifespan.

The nurse has taken the correct course of action in my opinion. Is this worth complaining about? I feel the service has been unacceptable in this instance for an illness which could be life threatening if not treated correctly.