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Useless doctors letters

Bluetit1802 said:
That would be entirely different. I have been waiting for someone to put that point forward. In that case I would prefer a telephone call from the GP's secretary (not a receptionist) asking me to call in to discuss the report with the doctor, and giving me a same day appointment to do just that.
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I agree that would be ideal in that particular case. However, in less extreme cases there would have to be some sort of decision about when it was ok to give patients results and when it was not. The problem then would be if they want the doctor to give you the results face to face you will fear the worst. Not all patients are as well informed as you and may confuse some minor complaint with something serious with a similar sounding name and need the doctor to explain and reassure them, rather than them finding some terrible prognosis on the Internet.
 
Mr_Pot said:
I agree that would be ideal in that particular case. However, in less extreme cases there would have to be some sort of decision about when it was ok to give patients results and when it was not. The problem then would be if they want the doctor to give you the results face to face you will fear the worst. Not all patients are as well informed as you and may confuse some minor complaint with something serious with a similar sounding name and need the doctor to explain and reassure them, rather than them finding some terrible prognosis on the Internet.
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I think you are looking too deeply into it. All test results and reports are given to the GP initially (or nurse if she was the one that ordered the tests). His/her job is to look at them and make an informed decision on further action. Whatever action is chosen should in no way cause unnecessary worry to the patient, and should never be one of those awful standard letters the computer prints out.
 
CoastGirl said:
If you go to Public Health England's website and search under 'online access' you will find it. I did post a link about 6 months ago but can't access this info at present.
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Thanks, I wasn't a member 6 months ago so appreciate giving me an inroad
 
ringi said:
Sorry, I don't think of Scotland and Wales as being part of the NHS because legally they are not. They have their own health systems that just copy our logo.
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Excuse me, but what kind of comment is that? Looks a bit like your xenophobia is showing!
 
So hilariously when I saw the next doctor, his first question was why I was there - when I explained the letter he groaned and said it was the most annoying thing for him as it causes patients to panic.. what a nightmare. Turns out all was fine!
 
isjoberg said:
So hilariously when I saw the next doctor, his first question was why I was there - when I explained the letter he groaned and said it was the most annoying thing for him as it causes patients to panic.. what a nightmare. Turns out all was fine!
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They need to change their system - all that unnecessary worry for you! Glad all fine though.
 
Pleased that it turned OK for you, but what a waste of everyone's time and your emotional energy. The doctor was also showing that he had no idea about what was on your notes, presumably when the letter was sent a dated line was added to the effect that the patient had been asked to make an appointment.
 
Zilsniggy said:
Excuse me, but what kind of comment is that? Looks a bit like your xenophobia is showing!
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No, when my wife was the financial controller at a NHS (england) specialist hospital the billing and payment system for all work done for Wales and Scotland was the same as for anywhere else outside of the NHS. Likewise NICE only has control in England, as healthcare elsewhere has nothing to do with the department of health.
 
Phoenix55 said:
Pleased that it turned OK for you, but what a waste of everyone's time and your emotional energy. The doctor was also showing that he had no idea about what was on your notes, presumably when the letter was sent a dated line was added to the effect that the patient had been asked to make an appointment.
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I mean it's so expensive because everything had already been covered by my consultant, but because they didn't send anything to my GP, the GPs have no record that I have been seen, so that's two extra appointments and blood tests telling me things that I already know. Exceptionally inefficient.
 
isjoberg said:
I mean it's so expensive because everything had already been covered by my consultant, but because they didn't send anything to my GP, the GPs have no record that I have been seen, so that's two extra appointments and blood tests telling me things that I already know. Exceptionally inefficient.
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And that is way most "process improvement" aimed at saving money also improve quality of care, and most improvements aimed as saving clients time also save the NHS money.
 
Getting information out of hospitals is worse than extracting eye balls.

I recently asked for some blood test results. Nothing complicated. I was told to fill in a form and await an invitation to go to the hospital to view them! My GP has never received them.
 
ringi said:
as healthcare elsewhere has nothing to do with the department of health.
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Healthcare in both Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter, but still is run by the NHS in both countries. The clue is in the name, ie NHS Scotland, or NHS Wales.
 
I recently had all my blood tests done hba1c included. I was told that the doctor wanted to see me but the receptionist could've say anything more. I duly went along and the gp said that there were a number of issues with my blood including the possibility of my having myeloma (blood cancer) and she was putting me on the 2 week cancer pathway . She then said "are you okay? You look upset " no $#$! Sherlock! My sister works at the hospital and went to check on my "urgent " referral which they hadn't received. I rang the gp who told me that the blood test I had on the day I saw her had come back negative for myeloma so I was now on the regular referral waiting list . Why did she mention cancer without waiting for the test results? Luckily I had googled myeloma and it is mostly found in afro carribean men over 60. I am a white 58 year old woman so I thought that myeloma was an unlikely diagnosis.
 
The check ups are done on the doctors surgery every years even if they get the results from the hospital, which they should as they can go on your name and see what has been happening at other medical places. I got a kidney and pancreas transplant in 2015 but still get my check up letter which ends up with me going to the doctors. When i get there i tell them i am under constant revive by the transplant team, diabetic doctor, renal doctor, urology doctor, pain management and the mental health team so i do not think that they could check me up after i am under specialists and would only be taking up a appointment.
 
Remember that GPs get their pay reduced if they don't do checkups every year for most people with diabetes. Mostly this is good, as it results in the practice manager being very careful that no one misses out on the option of a review.
 
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