"Several occasions recently made me switch practices"

I have been registered with the same GP practice for over 20 years. There have been several occasions recently which have made me switch to another practice.

I attended after experiencing a migraine with aura, I also described that this was stress induced and I was very anxious. My blood pressure was taken and was high. I was given propranolol to reduce my blood pressure and was told it would also help my anxiety. The GP did not consider my history of relatively low blood pressure and the fact that my blood pressure was probably high at that time due to being nervous/anxious talking about my anxiety. My experience of anxiety was not discussed and no alternative talking therapy was offered.

I later became unwell, dizzy/tired and had a phone call with another Dr, who informed me that my blood pressure was relatively low normally and as such I shouldn't be taking propranolol. I was weaned off this medication.

I later attended another GP appt to discuss my contraceptive options - this was a locum GP who took me off my combined oral contraceptive as those with a history of migraine with aura should not take it due to the increased risk of stroke. This had not been picked up when I presented with a migraine.

I called the surgery to book a 6 week coil check and was told by the receptionist that this had to be done by a certain GP. When I attended the appt, the GP told me a nurse could have done it. They seemed annoyed and repeated that it could have been done by a nurse and a GP didn't need to do this. I informed them that I had told reception the nature of the appt and they had booked it with them.

I booked a later appt due to having a cyst and what I was concerned was a chest infection. I was booked into the on the day service with a nurse practitioner. When I attended this appt and said I wanted to discuss both, I was told that they had 10 minutes and I could only discuss one. I was not made aware of this. when I discussed about having a fever, I was told if I didn't have it now then we didn't need to discuss it. My cyst was then examined and treated and my chest was looked at too.

I try to avoid using the GP unless I really need to, and I am the type of person who would try to get on with things rather than see a Dr. I have left all of these appointments frustrated, upset and like I have wasted the time of the Drs/practitioner. I also find the experience of having an internal exam something which can leave you feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable - to have to do this after being told you should have seen someone else was particularly unpleasant.

The receptionists need to remember that not everyone understands the system at the surgery and it also changes. For example, if I am only allowed to discuss one thing and need to book a double appt to discuss more, this should be explained at the time of booking.