Fed up with GPs messing me around

[lexie09]

I just feel the need to vent a little as I feel like I am banging my head up the wall with my GP.

Back in mid March I went to renew my prescription and got told I couldn't have it until I had talked to the Dr so I booked a time for them to phone. Dr agreed to renew my prescription but wanted me to come in for my review, I explained I was more than happy to come in for a review but as a long term supply teacher I cant afford to have time off work as I dont get paid for it and the school/agency dont look kindly on it. So dr agreed it was fine to come in during the Easter hols.


Easter hols come along and as agreed in the first week I go in to book my blood tests, that goes all fine then when I left I booked my actual review for the following week with the diabetic nurse as instructed.

My appointment with the nurse wasn't till 11.30 so I figured I would go into town first do a few errands. I made sure I arrived in plenty of time for the appointment only to be told by the booking machine I was late. It turns out they had changed my appointment with the nurse at 11.30 to one with the dr at 9.50 according to the receptionist they had phoned the day before and left a message (when I checked answer phone there was no message). So again I explained about being a supply teacher and receptionist said no problem I can give you an appointment at 7.30pm the following tues.

Last night I turn up to the appointment first off the dr I see has no idea why I am there and I had to explain, she then points out that I need to see the other dr as diabetes is not her area. She did then look on the system to give me my results apparently I have come down from 11.2 to 8.8 but they are still not happy with a level of 8.8 and will be wanting to talk to me about my meds and diet. So yet again I have had to arrange another appointment and this time Ive had to bite the bullet and take time off work for it .

I just feel like they have messed me around with out need if they had said at the start I needed to see a particular dr who only works mornings then fine I would have arranged time in first place.

 

[Unbeliever]

My sympathies but i am sure your story will sound familiar to many of us.

I am equally sure that "they" have no idea how this sort of thing adds to he stress and difficulties of this condition.

I don't think it is just confined to diabetics hough, others wih chronic conditions and sometimes even terminal conditions are given the run around too.

The attitude seems to be that patients have nothing else to do but wait around and that if somehing goes wrong it doesn't really matter. They paients are here for the practice and not vice wersa.

I am sure that this is not universal but it is widespresad,


It is not just the disease you have o come to terms wih but you have o get used o the system and the people you will be dealing with.

I had he same trouble when I was first diagnosed and it ook me a few years to find my way about as it were. Then I had o move house and practice and was righ back where I had started - but worse.
After spending hours and hours in the Drs waiting room week after week for no good reason I exploded one day. The very understanding hurse i was with told me hat it was "just at the beginning" and that things would setle down. Surely it is at the beginning patients need clearer explanaions more consideration ec. It would save time abd frusration all round.

I hink it is just a mater of poor training and amin procedures. I The problem should not be insurmountable but maybe the cause - the attiude to patients is more of a problem. Even some explanatory literature given o the patient at diagnsis would be of great asssistance.
I am sure here are plenty of examples of good pracice but no in my area.

Eventually you will get to know people and the system and all will fall into place but a litle forethought would save patients a great deal of sress at a time whe hey are already sressed.