struggling big time

[ally1]

Hugs - sorry no words to help - you must be devastated

Thank you

 

[ally1]

What I do find so frustrating, the surgery are ignoring letters from my psych, who like my gp is a professional, so the gp is not going to listen to a patient

 

[Ultramum]

@ally1 I am so sorry you are having such a bad time. No advice but sending you virtual ((((hugs))))

 

[Happyhomelands]

Ally I have been following your thread not commented much because of lack of knowledge. I can see a very strong individual who will dust herself off and keep pushing. Now that you have had some sleep you can go back to the surgery. Complaints are one thing and record keeping now will pay off later. but right now you need progress. It doesn't sound like the surgery are treating you seriously. I would consider calling 101, and ask them to communicate with the surgery. I can't understand how they are unable to tell you what the blood test is for. Hope the phlebotomist knows. Also if you have a clash of conditions, which seems very likely, how does the surgery propose this gets fixed? It sounds like a GP appointment is required. The receptionist and practice manager are not doctors and must not play God with your health. Do the calm thing, they must give you an appointment or a compelling reason why not. You are the client. Good luck. Your strength is inspiring xxxx

 

[ickihun]

Ally I have been following your thread not commented much because of lack of knowledge. I can see a very strong individual who will dust herself off and keep pushing. Now that you have had some sleep you can go back to the surgery. Complaints are one thing and record keeping now will pay off later. but right now you need progress. It doesn't sound like the surgery are treating you seriously. I would consider calling 101, and ask them to communicate with the surgery. I can't understand how they are unable to tell you what the blood test is for. Hope the phlebotomist knows. Also if you have a clash of conditions, which seems very likely, how does the surgery propose this gets fixed? It sounds like a GP appointment is required. The receptionist and practice manager are not doctors and must not play God with your health. Do the calm thing, they must give you an appointment or a compelling reason why not. You are the client. Good luck. Your strength is inspiring xxxx

Is it 101 or 111 @Happyhomelands ? I think 101 is nonemergency police, I think. 111 is NHS nonemergency health.

 

[david1968]

I've just found this on my practice's website - I hope it might be of some help.

Complaints


The NHS employs over a million staff in thousands of locations. It is a large and complex organisation providing a broad range of services. It is not surprising that sometimes you or a loved one may feel bewildered or concerned when using the NHS. And this can be at times when you are feeling at your most vulnerable and anxious.

So, what should you do if you want on the spot help when using the health service? The NHS expects all members of staff to listen and respond to you to the best of their ability. But sometimes, you may wish to talk to someone employed especially to help you. ICAT, the Independent complaints and advocacy team are a charity set up to do jus that.

ICAT is run between two advocacy organisations who provide an joint advocacy service for those wishing for support to make complaints about NHS services.

Although these groups run specialist advocacy services for people experiencing mental ill health or have a learning disability (respectively), those accessing the ICAT service will not need to fall in to either of these categories to get support. The two organisations run the project as they are both experts in the field of advocacy. Anyone wishing for advocacy support in making a complaint about any NHS service nationally, will be able to access this service if they live in Bradford District and pay their council tax to Bradford Metropolitan District Council. If you want to make a complaint about a service in Bradford District but pay your council tax to another council please see our useful links to contact advocacy support in your area.

Find out more
If you would like more information about ICAT call 01274 750784.

Alternatively you can write to the complaints team at NHS England instead of writing to the practice

NHS England
PO Box 16738
Redditch
B97 9PT

By email to: [email protected]

If you are making a complaint please state: ‘For the attention of the complaints team’ in the subject line.

By telephone: 0300 311 22 33

If you are still not satisfied with either the practice response or the response from NHSE you can contact:

The Parliamentary & Health Services Ombudsman

Millbank Tower

Millbank

London

SW1P 4QP

Telephone: 0345 0154033

Email: [email protected]

The advocay service referred to is in the Bradford area only, but it might be worth checking if there's a similar service in your area.

Also, is it possible that you could transfer to another GP practice?

Hope it all works out.

 

[ickihun]

I had written a letter to my gp and practice manager around October last year, not even had a reply from either. I can understand one letter going missing but not two.
Tonight I read on the surgery website with their latest inspection thing, and they got good on everything. My mind boggles with that

Mine too!
This is disgraceful!

 

[lucylocket61]

Thinking of you @ally1

 

[Happyhomelands]

Is it 101 or 111 @Happyhomelands ? I think 101 is nonemergency police, I think. 111 is NHS nonemergency health.

hope it made you smile xxx Yes I have used it but not for some time. How is your day going so far ?

 

[ickihun]

hope it made you smile xxx Yes I have used it but not for some time. How is your day going so far ?

I had to check as I get confused with those 2.
Awaiting a new blank sim card for my new phone but no sign of postman or delivery company today. My old sim too big. I cannot wait to play on it but busy tomorrow and kids off next week. I could afford the time today thou, humf!
I've had some big swings yesterday and in January because my insulin sensitivity changes dramatically, it seems. I think some brittle diabetics can get it too but I'm not going to panic yet. It may settle down. You?

 

[ally1]

Ally I have been following your thread not commented much because of lack of knowledge. I can see a very strong individual who will dust herself off and keep pushing. Now that you have had some sleep you can go back to the surgery. Complaints are one thing and record keeping now will pay off later. but right now you need progress. It doesn't sound like the surgery are treating you seriously. I would consider calling 101, and ask them to communicate with the surgery. I can't understand how they are unable to tell you what the blood test is for. Hope the phlebotomist knows. Also if you have a clash of conditions, which seems very likely, how does the surgery propose this gets fixed? It sounds like a GP appointment is required. The receptionist and practice manager are not doctors and must not play God with your health. Do the calm thing, they must give you an appointment or a compelling reason why not. You are the client. Good luck. Your strength is inspiring xxxx

Thank you.
I waited until 2pm to call the surgery, 1, to see why the practice manager hadn,t returned my call, 2, decided I needed to calm down before calling so that I would, nt lose my temper.
The message came that the surgery is closed this afternoon for staff training. Off all my luck lol. It can only happen to me.

 

[ally1]

I've just found this on my practice's website - I hope it might be of some help.

Complaints


The NHS employs over a million staff in thousands of locations. It is a large and complex organisation providing a broad range of services. It is not surprising that sometimes you or a loved one may feel bewildered or concerned when using the NHS. And this can be at times when you are feeling at your most vulnerable and anxious.

So, what should you do if you want on the spot help when using the health service? The NHS expects all members of staff to listen and respond to you to the best of their ability. But sometimes, you may wish to talk to someone employed especially to help you. ICAT, the Independent complaints and advocacy team are a charity set up to do jus that.

ICAT is run between two advocacy organisations who provide an joint advocacy service for those wishing for support to make complaints about NHS services.

Although these groups run specialist advocacy services for people experiencing mental ill health or have a learning disability (respectively), those accessing the ICAT service will not need to fall in to either of these categories to get support. The two organisations run the project as they are both experts in the field of advocacy. Anyone wishing for advocacy support in making a complaint about any NHS service nationally, will be able to access this service if they live in Bradford District and pay their council tax to Bradford Metropolitan District Council. If you want to make a complaint about a service in Bradford District but pay your council tax to another council please see our useful links to contact advocacy support in your area.

Find out more
If you would like more information about ICAT call 01274 750784.

Alternatively you can write to the complaints team at NHS England instead of writing to the practice

NHS England
PO Box 16738
Redditch
B97 9PT

By email to: [email protected]

If you are making a complaint please state: ‘For the attention of the complaints team’ in the subject line.

By telephone: 0300 311 22 33

If you are still not satisfied with either the practice response or the response from NHSE you can contact:

The Parliamentary & Health Services Ombudsman

Millbank Tower

Millbank

London

SW1P 4QP

Telephone: 0345 0154033

Email: [email protected]

The advocay service referred to is in the Bradford area only, but it might be worth checking if there's a similar service in your area.

Also, is it possible that you could transfer to another GP practice?

Hope it all works out.

Thank you for that information

 

[Salvia]

Thank you.
I waited until 2pm to call the surgery, 1, to see why the practice manager hadn,t returned my call, 2, decided I needed to calm down before calling so that I would, nt lose my temper.
The message came that the surgery is closed this afternoon for staff training. Off all my luck lol. It can only happen to me.

Duh !! Talk about sod's law

Never mind. Just shrug it off and try not to lose your resolve, ready to have another go tomorrow.

 

[Happyhomelands]

New phone? What a shame it didn't come today. Sorry for the mix up with numbers. That's me all over. My day was good if a bit odd. I followed my husband on a business trip today so was exploring a new city. It was good to have a change of scenery. Let's hope its not too cold for half term.

 

[ickihun]

Thank you.
I waited until 2pm to call the surgery, 1, to see why the practice manager hadn,t returned my call, 2, decided I needed to calm down before calling so that I would, nt lose my temper.
The message came that the surgery is closed this afternoon for staff training. Off all my luck lol. It can only happen to me.

Lets hope they train them properly.!!!

 

[ickihun]

@ally1 i could have done with you when i lost my temper lately. I'm convinced my blood pressure was skyhigh.

 

[ally1]

The plot thickens.
Just got off the phone from the surgery. I rang them as no call back that was promised from the practice manager.
The blood test next Tuesday has nothing to do with my diabetes. It's for thyroid check up. I explained I Don, t have a thyroid problem and said the surgery sent a letter re blood test. Gp apparently never requested it nor did I. So no idea why am having it. The practice manager has agreed to see me Tuesday because I am not happy having a blood test that's not required. Also to sort through why my gp has never responded to the psychs 2 letters requesting 3 monthly diabetic blood tests because the anti psycotic med I am on is and does cause higher glucose levels. At the moment, I can,t really do anything else just yet until Tuesday

 

[Bluetit1802]

Well done @ally1 for standing your ground. I just cannot believe your surgery!! It beggars belief.

Just make sure you write down everything you want to say to the practice manager. Try to anticipate some of his replies and have some replies of your own prepared. It is easy to be thrown off course if you get an unexpected response. If I were you I would take someone with you so you have a witness. Have a you a friend or neighbour you could persuade to accompany you? Or the CPN? Someone from Citizens Advice? Please don't leave the room until you have all the answers you want and a plan of action for your care.

 

[DCUKMod]

Well, @ally1 - At long last you have the opportunity to sit down and explain how you find dealing with the surgery. Well done for getting that bit done. It must feel like you've climbed Everest several times getting to this point.

I agree with @Bluetit1802 that you take some notes with you. Even if it's just a list of the things that it is important for you to say. No matter how good our memories are those meetings are always stressful, and you want to be able to make your points and listen to what he has to say, rather then just concentrating on the other things you want to fit into your time with the man.

Can I suggest you do a couple of things? I suggest that when you get into the room and sit down you make sure he sees you get your list/notes out. That will help him understand that you have things to say and they're important to you.

Don't feel uncomfortable to have a quick look at your notes as you go along, but when the meeting is drawing towards a close, take a moment to properly read through your notes and ensure you have covered what you wanted to. If he tries to move things along, I would just tell him this is your meeting to resolve your issues, so you would like to ensure you have covered everything on your list.

One final thing is the Practise Manager may not have a medical background, so he may not be familiar with particular drugs or protocols, but sure as heck, he is responsible for the smooth running of the surgery, so if he needs to take notes of everything you're saying then, so be it.

Well done for getting this far Ally, and with all parties still alive! I'd have wanted to throttle someone weeeellllllll before now.

 

[iHs]

@ally1 do have a thyroid blood test done just in case the meds you are taking are having an affect on your thyroid making it a bit under active which will affect weightgain and cause sugar levels to increase.