"Poor GP care for cancer patient Mum"

Mum has cancer and is having post surgical chemotherapy. Her GP Surgery is in Bristol. The surgery seem unwilling to accommodate her for blood test, advice, PICC line care, or anything that does not fit in with a forward planned schedule.

An example of this was this week when Mum had problems with her PICC line, with signs of possible infection a week after a dose of chemo. She called the hospital advice line and spoke to a specialist nurse, who advised that she sees her practice nurse. Mum then called the surgery, who said that there was no nurse free to see her, and did not offer a Doctor as an alternative. Mum then asked whether they could cater for her at the local minor injuries unit, and was told not to go there as her problem wasn't an injury.

I am well aware of the capabilities of minor injuries units as a practising Paramedic, and they would have been able to deal with this issue, and refer on to hospital if necessary. Mum then had to travel into the city to be assessed. Mum does not drive or have access to transport, so had to go by taxi.

She has been refused prechemotherapy bloods, and again had to travel by taxi to elsewhere for her care. I fail to see the point in this being a general practice, as they clearly aren't capable of dealing with her ongoing cancer care as they should.

I wish she would leave the practice, as in my opinion the standard of care she is receiving falls below the expected standard.

It is worth mentioning that ward 78 at St Michaels, and the oncology services are as fantastic as ever. They provide comprehensive and caring services, as are lovely to work with.