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I have lost confidence in my GP practice

Posted By Adamsdad

"I have lost confidence in my GP practice"

About: General practices in Lothian

(as the patient),

I have a chronic medical condition.  

Recently, I have lost confidence in my GP practice.  There was an issue with a test result where anxiety was caused when there was actually no further action required.

I then had a blood test.  As I get my own blood results, I queried one part of it with y specialist.  They told me that I needed medication,,

I then contacted my GP practice - to be told "No further action".  I felt this was an error.

I spoke to the practice manager - and the duty GP phoned me.  All they did was make things worse.  Seemed to me like they did not to have a clue what they were talking about.  Also, when I asked if there had been a mistake, I was told "not necessarily".

I spoke to the practice manager again - who told me that the practice don't have the knowledge to deal with my condition!  For what the blood test was for, it is something a GP should be more than adequately trained for.

I get anxious about my health anyway - but, the last couple of weeks has been awful.  I just don't feel I can trust anyone any more.

If I wasn't taking repeat medication, then I would ask to be unregistered from my GP practice.

Also, I know of at least 2, possibly 3 notes on my record where apparently they have tried to contact me and I have not got back to them.  This, as far as I am concerned, is just a total lie.  

I don't know what I will do whenever I am ill again.

Mistakes happen - but at no point has there been any apology nor admission of the mistake. That is unforgivable.

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Responses

Response from Patient Experience Team, NHS Lothian 5 years ago
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 12/10/2018 at 17:05
Published on Care Opinion at 17:07

Dear Adamsdad,

I am so very sorry to read your post and how this experience has made you feel, and I would be very grateful if you could please contact our Patient Experience Team so that we can help, take further details, and look into this.

Tel: 0131 536 3370

Email: feedback@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Post: NHS Lothian, Waverley Gate, 2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

I can see from your post that you have already discussed this with the Practice Manager which was the right thing to do in the first instance, as many of the General Practices in Lothian are managed independently. You can also contact the Patient Advice and Support Service; this is an independent service which provides free and confidential information, advice and support to patients: Tel: 0800 917 2127 or Email: pass@cas.org.uk They can also support you to make a complaint, if this is something that you wish to do.

Thank you very much again for getting in touch and once again, I am truly sorry that this has been your experience.

Very best wishes to you,

Pamela

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Adamsdad (the patient)

I ended up raising a formal complaint. But, have since withdrawn it.

For something that would take 2 minutes to resolve, they are now wanting an investigation (I don't).

As far as I am concerned, I have no GP now.

Response from Jeannette Morrison, Head of Patient Experience, NHS Lothian 5 years ago
Jeannette Morrison
Head of Patient Experience,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 18/10/2018 at 15:57
Published on Care Opinion at 16:01


Dear Adamsdad,

Following my colleague Pamela's response if you feel able l would encourage you to discuss this with the Practice Manager or with the Patient Advice and Support Service; Tel: 0800 917 2127 or Email: pass@cas.org.uk, who I am sure would want to help you. I am very sorry to read that you are having these difficulties.

If you do find yourself without a GP, Practitioner Services may be able to help with registration to another practice.

Kind regards

Jeannette

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Adamsdad (the patient)

I have now reached a satisfactory conclusion.

I eventually got an answer - and it was acceptable to me.

I could have dealt with it differently - as could they. So, hopefully I and they can learn from that.

Thanks

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