"Unfriendly and discourteous manner"

I write with regards to a recent GP appointment at the Orchard Medical Centre.  The appointment was for my son aged 6 and I attended along with my 8 year old daughter.

On arrival I proceeded to inform the GP that my visit was due to my son being unwell for a few days beforehand.  I informed the doctor that after seeing a recent press article associated with an outbreak of Hepatitis A in a West Dumbarton school I was concerned the symptoms my son had were possibly those associated with Hepatitis A. Before I got a chance to finish what was I was saying the GP interrupted to inform me in a very firm and very unsympathetic manner that they only see patients who present with symptoms and not those who turn up with a diagnosis before they are seen. Had the doctor let me finish I would have proceeded to ask if they were able to alleviate my concerns and that I was not suggesting at any time my son had hepatitis A, only that he was unwell and that I was looking for assurance Hepatitis A could be eliminated.

As a mother with an unwell son all I wanted was for the GP to have a look over my son, for me to describe his symptoms and to seek advice.  I did not appreciate the barrage of abuse that the doctor proceeded to give me because I had read a press article and had presented with my concerns.  Nor did I appreciate the doctor's rude and intimidating manner particularly in front of my young children who are not used to being in such a confrontational environment. This is not the level of service I would have expected from a GP at our local surgery.

After asking numerous times, (in between the doctor's lectures about why I shouldn’t have suggested my son had symptoms of Hepatitis A) to look over my son, the doctor eventually proceeded; which looked and came across as reluctantly, the doctor checked over my son and came to the conclusion that he was ok and that because he had not been in contact with anyone who had Hepatitis A, it was unlikely he would have it.

Already feeling vulnerable that my son was unwell, I was presented with a situation that made me feel both taken back and horrified that the GP acted in such a manner towards me particularly in front of both my young children. I left the surgery feeling upset and belittled. My children ended up leaving in tears asking me why the GP was being so ‘mean and grumpy’. I also left asking myself if had I done the right thing by taking my son along to be checked over as I was made to feel that I was wasting his time.

I am thankful that’s its very rare that I or my children have to present ourselves to the local GP surgery but sadly on this occasion it has left my children feeling that its an environment they do not want to present themselves to again. It has also left me with the feeling of anxiety at the possibility of a future appointment with this Dr.

On leaving the surgery I asked the receptionist to put a note on file stating that both myself and my children do not want to see this Dr again.   I would be grateful if this matter could be looked into as no other patient deserves to be treated in such an unfriendly and discourteous manner.

Many thanks