Awful Clinic
- Thread starter ShyGirl
- Start Date
Sorry you are having such a bad time ShyGirl. Yes these awful practices DO exist ad sometimes all you can do is to change your GP - but this is not always practical.
If the hospital is OK could you tell someone there about the problems you are having?
The hospital I attend for my eyes is very good about contacting GP's if thy feel they are failing diabetic paients.
I hope you manage to find a solution to your problems. It is a very unpleasant feeling when you have to consider your HCP's as "the enemy" and part of the problem rather than as support and guidance for you.
I know that feeling only too well. I actually think your mum is wrong about "deprived areas " and healthcare. Sometimes paients can be better cared for. No question of depriving T2s of test strips in such an area close to me for example! I hope things improve for you soon. If you do make a complaint perhaps people will be forced to look at the issues which concern you. Good luck.
If the hospital is OK could you tell someone there about the problems you are having?
The hospital I attend for my eyes is very good about contacting GP's if thy feel they are failing diabetic paients.
I hope you manage to find a solution to your problems. It is a very unpleasant feeling when you have to consider your HCP's as "the enemy" and part of the problem rather than as support and guidance for you.
I know that feeling only too well. I actually think your mum is wrong about "deprived areas " and healthcare. Sometimes paients can be better cared for. No question of depriving T2s of test strips in such an area close to me for example! I hope things improve for you soon. If you do make a complaint perhaps people will be forced to look at the issues which concern you. Good luck.
- Messages
- 4,789
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
-
Cruelty to Animals/Children
Liars/Manipulators/Bullying
Hi, would just like to suggest if you do feel so strongly about things , you can request an appointment with the practice or the clinic manager. Here in this appointment you can explain the issues and the complaint will be logged and recorded. At a staff meeting the recorded logs are presented and discussed to the staff team. I myself have done this via this route and it was a great success for me , I managed to totally turn things around for myself. Hope this helps? Anna.x 
Hi Shygirl,
I don't have any advice for you, I'm sorry - but I read your post and just wanted to check how you are doing?
TDW x
I don't have any advice for you, I'm sorry - but I read your post and just wanted to check how you are doing?
TDW x
Yes your probably right. I've lost count of how many times I have been given the wrong advice..After 5 yrs of this awful disease, yep it's ruined my life, career, future earning potential and almost my marriage. I have to put up with a sub standard, "sorry we're short staffed again today", "the diabetic nurse isn't available" excuses..Even when I go I learn nothing new and indeed prompt the nurse to do HER job
Sorry to hear that fed-up , hope you can find some answers soon.
The update is i'm now waking up with readings of7-9 , very dsappointing but kind of expected.
I will call them this week.
The update is i'm now waking up with readings of7-9 , very dsappointing but kind of expected.
I will call them this week.
Dragonflye
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 235
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
Hi, after having my own issues with GP, I was advised (by a nurse) to get in touch with PALS:
I believe they should be able to advise you on how to deal with the situation and give you more details on NHS complaints procedures...
http://www.pals.nhs.uk/cmsContentView.aspx?ItemID=932
I havent spoken to them yet however will be doing first thing on Monday, so don't know if they are any good or not, however the lovely nurse i spoke to seemed to think they were
I believe they should be able to advise you on how to deal with the situation and give you more details on NHS complaints procedures...
http://www.pals.nhs.uk/cmsContentView.aspx?ItemID=932
I havent spoken to them yet however will be doing first thing on Monday, so don't know if they are any good or not, however the lovely nurse i spoke to seemed to think they were
It is strictly not allowed to register with another GP out of your area using a friends or relatives address. So please do not do it.
Even if this means you can get far better treatment and have access to better hospitals.
So whilst many would do it, and indeed do, I would suggest that you do not even consider it :wink:
H
Even if this means you can get far better treatment and have access to better hospitals.
So whilst many would do it, and indeed do, I would suggest that you do not even consider it :wink:
H
Shygirl, you are entitled to know the results of your blood tests. Don't let them fob you off with an 'all okay' - ask for a print-out (and you don't have to pay for it!) and then get it explained to you in detail.
I always go to see my GP for my blood-tests results, rather than just phoning, and we go through the print-out together. It's all part of being pro-active and managing your health with your Health Care Team. I may be a nuisance, but they know the quickest way to get rid of me is to co-operate :lol:
Once they get over the shock they'll be very pleased that you are so positive in wanting to manage your health/diabetes. They must get so fed up with patients who don't take a blind bit of notice, and just carry on eating and drinking regardless.
It's no wonder they come over as uncaring sometimes - they must get so disillusioned.
Viv 8)
I always go to see my GP for my blood-tests results, rather than just phoning, and we go through the print-out together. It's all part of being pro-active and managing your health with your Health Care Team. I may be a nuisance, but they know the quickest way to get rid of me is to co-operate :lol:
Once they get over the shock they'll be very pleased that you are so positive in wanting to manage your health/diabetes. They must get so fed up with patients who don't take a blind bit of notice, and just carry on eating and drinking regardless.
It's no wonder they come over as uncaring sometimes - they must get so disillusioned.
Viv 8)
I used to go to seee my Gp too Viv, when I was in a decentPractice. In my current Practice the Disabetic Nurse tends o hi-jack the results in order o get o you first.
I recenly visited the GP who oversaw a medical student doing my annual review. I had a quesion about my diabetes meds. She was horrified and ried to divert me to the nurse alhough she had seemed o be competent enough on the dubject during the review. I explained hat I preferred to see a GP about my medicaion as the Nurse had tried to put me on a drug which is inappropriate for my macular oedema ie it makes it worse. She explained kindly that Nurses go on far more courses abou diabees than do Drs.
I pointed out that they couldn't prescribe and had not trained as docors.
I do think here is a real issue here with some GPs distancing themselves from their diabetic patients for whatever reason. ShyGirl and others might be fobbed offf because their Gps are as terrified of the very word diabetes as is mine.
I recenly visited the GP who oversaw a medical student doing my annual review. I had a quesion about my diabetes meds. She was horrified and ried to divert me to the nurse alhough she had seemed o be competent enough on the dubject during the review. I explained hat I preferred to see a GP about my medicaion as the Nurse had tried to put me on a drug which is inappropriate for my macular oedema ie it makes it worse. She explained kindly that Nurses go on far more courses abou diabees than do Drs.
I pointed out that they couldn't prescribe and had not trained as docors.
I do think here is a real issue here with some GPs distancing themselves from their diabetic patients for whatever reason. ShyGirl and others might be fobbed offf because their Gps are as terrified of the very word diabetes as is mine.
Well yes, Unbeliever - I think the problem is that they don't get enough training!
I don't know how much training about all types of diabetes is included in the usual 'undergraduate' doctors course - but I have heard that they only get a couple of hours to cover nutrition generally, so diabetes won't get much more. Perhaps one of the HCPs who regularly post here could help me on this? I know my practice nurse (not a diabetic specialist nurse!) knows a great deal about diabetes - she gets to go on more courses!
GPs are generalists, and in general they are pretty good at their job. They certainly don't have as much time as I do to spend on the computer learning all about the latest research on diabetes Type 2 and. at the moment, lumbar spinal stenosis. That's why it's important for us to build a good relationship so that we can work together with our HCPs.
I don't know what your job is, but mine is/was archaeology, which I love. However, it's not my hobby - I don't devote all my out-of-office hours to it, and I don't see why my (very busy) GP should devote every waking hour to medecine! He needs a life too - and he can't go anywhere socially round here without meeting his patients. It can't be easy.
Next time I see my GP in the surgery I'm going to point out to him - very politely - that a series of GPs in my life, including him, have not seen past the fat person to a degenerative spinal condition that has finally been diagnosed. I shall be polite. He'll take the point. It is possible to build a very good relationship with your GP, but it takes two.
And if your GP isn't working at it as hard as you do, you could have problems. Ditto the practice nurse.
Here endeth the lesson :wink: . Sorry!
Viv 8)
I don't know how much training about all types of diabetes is included in the usual 'undergraduate' doctors course - but I have heard that they only get a couple of hours to cover nutrition generally, so diabetes won't get much more. Perhaps one of the HCPs who regularly post here could help me on this? I know my practice nurse (not a diabetic specialist nurse!) knows a great deal about diabetes - she gets to go on more courses!
GPs are generalists, and in general they are pretty good at their job. They certainly don't have as much time as I do to spend on the computer learning all about the latest research on diabetes Type 2 and. at the moment, lumbar spinal stenosis. That's why it's important for us to build a good relationship so that we can work together with our HCPs.
I don't know what your job is, but mine is/was archaeology, which I love. However, it's not my hobby - I don't devote all my out-of-office hours to it, and I don't see why my (very busy) GP should devote every waking hour to medecine! He needs a life too - and he can't go anywhere socially round here without meeting his patients. It can't be easy.
Next time I see my GP in the surgery I'm going to point out to him - very politely - that a series of GPs in my life, including him, have not seen past the fat person to a degenerative spinal condition that has finally been diagnosed. I shall be polite. He'll take the point. It is possible to build a very good relationship with your GP, but it takes two.
And if your GP isn't working at it as hard as you do, you could have problems. Ditto the practice nurse.
Here endeth the lesson :wink: . Sorry!
Viv 8)
Sorry Viv , don't really get your point. Of course Gp's are generalists but I would still expect a little more than I would from a Practice Nurse who has been o a few courses . Especially as the nurses can't prescribe.
Would you have been happy had your practice nurse told you you you should take a drug which could have blinded you? As the doctors are so terrified of diabetes they would probably have just signed the prescription when she asked them. She also gave me incorrect information about glimepiride excusing herself later by saying that her main interest was in insulin.
There are ten doctors in my practice and none have an interest in diabetes. I have not yet met them but all of those I have met react as I described above regarding any discussion of diabees. So how do I form a realationship to work together with them about it?
I do not have a poor or aggressive attitude I don't expect too much, they are just not interested and wish o leave it all to the nurse. This is fairly well known. When I saw the consultant at the hospital {a one-off consultatin} he was fully aware of the situation.
IThere is no alternative to my current pracice where i live. I am fully aware hayt the situation is diffferent elsewhere as I belonged o another practice when diagnosed. This was not wonderful but I eventually
found a gp who was willing o work with me and was very helpful I am fully aware that paients often know more about their own chronic condition s because they have the time and the the motivation to research it. My husband has suffered from asthma for many years.
I am very pleased for you if you have a good relaionship with your GP. Actually , I am sorry that you have have other conditions which have led to your having more contact with him/her.
I still feel that it is very wrong that I am not able to speak to the professional who is responsible for prescribing for me. I don't make a habit of it which is why after two years I have still not met all the doctors.. If the nurse doesn't know and the GP doesn't wan to know what is to be done?
I am trying to preserve my sight as long as possible but with no support.
As a retired teacher I have had my share of "lessons" thanks.
More like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs!
Maybe we could dispense with GP's altogether the nurses could go on even more courses then!
Would you have been happy had your practice nurse told you you you should take a drug which could have blinded you? As the doctors are so terrified of diabetes they would probably have just signed the prescription when she asked them. She also gave me incorrect information about glimepiride excusing herself later by saying that her main interest was in insulin.
There are ten doctors in my practice and none have an interest in diabetes. I have not yet met them but all of those I have met react as I described above regarding any discussion of diabees. So how do I form a realationship to work together with them about it?
I do not have a poor or aggressive attitude I don't expect too much, they are just not interested and wish o leave it all to the nurse. This is fairly well known. When I saw the consultant at the hospital {a one-off consultatin} he was fully aware of the situation.
IThere is no alternative to my current pracice where i live. I am fully aware hayt the situation is diffferent elsewhere as I belonged o another practice when diagnosed. This was not wonderful but I eventually
found a gp who was willing o work with me and was very helpful I am fully aware that paients often know more about their own chronic condition s because they have the time and the the motivation to research it. My husband has suffered from asthma for many years.
I am very pleased for you if you have a good relaionship with your GP. Actually , I am sorry that you have have other conditions which have led to your having more contact with him/her.
I still feel that it is very wrong that I am not able to speak to the professional who is responsible for prescribing for me. I don't make a habit of it which is why after two years I have still not met all the doctors.. If the nurse doesn't know and the GP doesn't wan to know what is to be done?
I am trying to preserve my sight as long as possible but with no support.
As a retired teacher I have had my share of "lessons" thanks.
More like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs!
Maybe we could dispense with GP's altogether the nurses could go on even more courses then!
Hi Unbeliever
I wasn't getting at you, and I'm sorry if anything in my last post suggested I was. Another case of the printed word not carrying enough information - the tone of voice is missing!
You posted:
No, I would not have been happy in those circumstances, and after the second I would probably have made a formal complaint to the practice manager. The nurse will never improve if she's not told where she's going wrong.
We do have a 'specialist' diabetes GP, but I go to her as little as possible because, frankly, we don't like each other! I can get my results from any GP or nurse, because all of them can access my computerised records.
You are obviously in a very large practice and I fully accept that it is much more difficult to find a doctor who "suits" you in those circumstances - particularly if you don't go very often. It's much easier in a small (in people) but extensive (in area) practice like ours, particularly as we don't have morning appointments - you simply find out when the doctor you want is in surgery, and just turn up! I always see the same GP unless it's a dire emergency, which happens very seldom.
I suppose I do see the doctor quite often - though having counted up, it's nurse 3 times, doctor 4 times, so far this year. My blood is checked regularly for thyroid hormones and lipids, so I was having bloods twice a year even before diabetes.
Last year I saw a doctor about 8 times - but 3 of those were because of the diabetes diagnosis.
I really don't know what else to say. I didn't mean to offend, nor did I intend to teach my grandmother to suck eggs! I am lucky, in both my GP practice and my health - there is really not a lot wrong with me that doesn't have some hope attached to it.
Viv 8)
Edited for PS: don't forget that many nurses these days have degrees and are nurse practitioners; my own young cousin (35) is one of these. She's an experienced, competent and highly professional individual. Not to be dismissed.
I wasn't getting at you, and I'm sorry if anything in my last post suggested I was. Another case of the printed word not carrying enough information - the tone of voice is missing!
You posted:
No, I would not have been happy in those circumstances, and after the second I would probably have made a formal complaint to the practice manager. The nurse will never improve if she's not told where she's going wrong.
We do have a 'specialist' diabetes GP, but I go to her as little as possible because, frankly, we don't like each other! I can get my results from any GP or nurse, because all of them can access my computerised records.
You are obviously in a very large practice and I fully accept that it is much more difficult to find a doctor who "suits" you in those circumstances - particularly if you don't go very often. It's much easier in a small (in people) but extensive (in area) practice like ours, particularly as we don't have morning appointments - you simply find out when the doctor you want is in surgery, and just turn up! I always see the same GP unless it's a dire emergency, which happens very seldom.
I suppose I do see the doctor quite often - though having counted up, it's nurse 3 times, doctor 4 times, so far this year. My blood is checked regularly for thyroid hormones and lipids, so I was having bloods twice a year even before diabetes.
Last year I saw a doctor about 8 times - but 3 of those were because of the diabetes diagnosis.
I really don't know what else to say. I didn't mean to offend, nor did I intend to teach my grandmother to suck eggs! I am lucky, in both my GP practice and my health - there is really not a lot wrong with me that doesn't have some hope attached to it.
Viv 8)
Edited for PS: don't forget that many nurses these days have degrees and are nurse practitioners; my own young cousin (35) is one of these. She's an experienced, competent and highly professional individual. Not to be dismissed.
Sorry to say Viv that I read your post as smug and patronising which surprised me because I have always been impressed by your kind and helpful posts.
I am familiar with Nurse Practicioners who are able to prescribe in their own names. There was such a person in my previous practice. The nurse in my current practice is not a nurse practicioner- thank goodness.
To complain to the Practice manager would have been futile as evryone in the practice seems o be terrified of this woman. It was interesting that when I mentioned my problems with her to the Gp on my latest visit she made no attempt to defend her but hastened to assure me that another nurse in the practice had now trained in diabetes and suggested i might prefer to see her.
As it happens , now hat my levels are well controlled the nurses appear to have forgotten all about me anyhow. Suits me. I have an HBA1 C every 3 months.
I know from your posts that your diabetes is well controlled and that you are only on metformin by your . own request.Your attitude is therefore totally understandable.
In my case medical intervention has damaged me and I have had to fight the system. I therefore take nothing on trust and am now working under a distinct handicap.
My real point was about the Gps failing to see any diabetic patients. I agree otally that their training on the subject is probably minimal as it must be in many areas. After qualifying it is to be hoped that they gain more experience in many areas. If they are never involved in the reatment of diabetic patients they will never have the opportunity to gain this experience. This means that, in effect, they are under the control of the nurse who is not herself qualified to prescribe. I know that many nurses are highly qualified these days but many are not and have just drawn the short straw regarding their duties.
Another reason why I did not report the nurse was that i felt a little sorry for her . She seemed o have been given responsibilities beyond her capability and also seemed to be under a great deal of pressure o achieve targets.
I am not an unreasonable person but cannot afford to take anyhing at face value given my experience wih diabetes to date.
The staff at my eye clinic in the hospital are horrified by the treatment of diabetics in the local pracicces and tell me that they are often obliged to intervene. We are complacent at our peril.
I am familiar with Nurse Practicioners who are able to prescribe in their own names. There was such a person in my previous practice. The nurse in my current practice is not a nurse practicioner- thank goodness.
To complain to the Practice manager would have been futile as evryone in the practice seems o be terrified of this woman. It was interesting that when I mentioned my problems with her to the Gp on my latest visit she made no attempt to defend her but hastened to assure me that another nurse in the practice had now trained in diabetes and suggested i might prefer to see her.
As it happens , now hat my levels are well controlled the nurses appear to have forgotten all about me anyhow. Suits me. I have an HBA1 C every 3 months.
I know from your posts that your diabetes is well controlled and that you are only on metformin by your . own request.Your attitude is therefore totally understandable.
In my case medical intervention has damaged me and I have had to fight the system. I therefore take nothing on trust and am now working under a distinct handicap.
My real point was about the Gps failing to see any diabetic patients. I agree otally that their training on the subject is probably minimal as it must be in many areas. After qualifying it is to be hoped that they gain more experience in many areas. If they are never involved in the reatment of diabetic patients they will never have the opportunity to gain this experience. This means that, in effect, they are under the control of the nurse who is not herself qualified to prescribe. I know that many nurses are highly qualified these days but many are not and have just drawn the short straw regarding their duties.
Another reason why I did not report the nurse was that i felt a little sorry for her . She seemed o have been given responsibilities beyond her capability and also seemed to be under a great deal of pressure o achieve targets.
I am not an unreasonable person but cannot afford to take anyhing at face value given my experience wih diabetes to date.
The staff at my eye clinic in the hospital are horrified by the treatment of diabetics in the local pracicces and tell me that they are often obliged to intervene. We are complacent at our peril.
I'm so sorry Shygirl you are having problems. My own GP is great and so is my nurse although neither are particularly clued up on diabetes. The nurse (although she runs the diabetic clinics and is the diabetic specialist in the practice) is not soley there for diabetes but also has responsibilities in other areas. She does go on courses but new things come along all the time for all of the things she takes care of so I don't expect her to be an expert. Recently I wanted some information and a talk about the very low calorie diet curing type 2 diabetes. I contacted her a couple of weeks before hand, gave her a link to the Guardian newpaper's report on it and asked her to investigate it before I saw her. When we met at the appointment, she had looked at the link I gave her, downloaded the original research papers from Newcastle University, read it, understood it and was able to discuss it with me. She then referred me to a diabetes specialist dietician at the local hospital (I have yet to make the appointment) to discuss it further. All this is NHS and the hospital is in Croydon (you will have seen Croydon in flames recently in the riots). We do have private health insurance (not rich just comes with the job) but for things like this the NHS is far better if you get to the right person.
I think it is too much to expect the local practice to be expert in any field and you do have the right to ask to be referred to a specialist if you don't think you are getting anywhere with them. Step back from it, take a deep breath and see how you can improve things. I know only too well how you are feeling and had huge rows with my previous doctor over a weight issue - he said that if I went on a diet (which I had so he thought I was lying), he would deal with my emotional problems. I told him that I only had emotional problems because of his arrogance, incompetence and inability to listen. I moved practices when we moved soon after their neglect nearly led to my death.
Good luck - hope it all improves soon
I think it is too much to expect the local practice to be expert in any field and you do have the right to ask to be referred to a specialist if you don't think you are getting anywhere with them. Step back from it, take a deep breath and see how you can improve things. I know only too well how you are feeling and had huge rows with my previous doctor over a weight issue - he said that if I went on a diet (which I had so he thought I was lying), he would deal with my emotional problems. I told him that I only had emotional problems because of his arrogance, incompetence and inability to listen. I moved practices when we moved soon after their neglect nearly led to my death.
Good luck - hope it all improves soon
Hi Shygirl,
what a bad experience you have had and still are having. There certainly is a lot of room for improvement in the way diabetics are treated.I think you are quite right to be so angry.
what a bad experience you have had and still are having. There certainly is a lot of room for improvement in the way diabetics are treated.I think you are quite right to be so angry.
I work as a district nurse who can prescribe and have Type 2 diabetes. I can understand your frustration shygirl for it seems you have been pushed from pillar to post. However, those who work in general practice both nurses and doctors are not diabetic specialists, they may have a special interest in diabetes but they remain generalists.
GP's and nurse practitioners in general practice are usually able to manage those with uncomplicated diabetes. However, those who do not respond to the usual treatments and/or have other problems should always be referred to the specialist diabetes services within your area. These include diabetic specialist nurses and doctors who specialise in diabetes care. As these centres can be regional sometimes you may need to travel further but they can be very helpful in long term mangement of diabetes.
If your unhappy with your care at your local practice you could always ask to be referred to the diabetic specialists...you do have this right, or simply change GP's for there must be others in your local area.
Hopefully, you will finally receive the quality care you need and deserve.
Good luck
GP's and nurse practitioners in general practice are usually able to manage those with uncomplicated diabetes. However, those who do not respond to the usual treatments and/or have other problems should always be referred to the specialist diabetes services within your area. These include diabetic specialist nurses and doctors who specialise in diabetes care. As these centres can be regional sometimes you may need to travel further but they can be very helpful in long term mangement of diabetes.
If your unhappy with your care at your local practice you could always ask to be referred to the diabetic specialists...you do have this right, or simply change GP's for there must be others in your local area.
Hopefully, you will finally receive the quality care you need and deserve.
Good luck
