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My GP Practice - a rant

D

dissolvedgirl

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This is going to be a rant. So, sorry in advance. Feel free to join in and share your stories so I don't feel so alone...

I feel like I'm going a bit mad. Feel free to either reassure me or tell me that I sound like a nuisance. I have never had an experience like this at previous GPs, but perhaps I am overreacting.

Ever since I moved to my current GP Surgery in January it has been nothing but hassle. It's now November and I don't yet have an appointment with a consultant. This is due to an incredibly disorganised effort from my surgery. Many other issues have also occurred, including a disappearing appointment !?

When I first started, I gave the repeat from my last surgery and was not given enough test strips. I was told that the only way to attempt to get more was an appointment with a GP. I saw the GP, made my case and he agreed to change the repeat prescription. Well, he didn't. So then, the next month I had to ring up and was allowed a call back, where I argued with a GP for about 10 minutes. Apparently type 1's don't have to test every day?! I explained that I need to test more than 4 times a day. When I mentioned I get hypo, he said "Oh, you get hypos?"; "yes" I said. Apparently many type 1s never get hypos, which was news to me. Eventually he agreed, and I now get enough strips. A small victory.

After 7 months at the practice I eventually saw the diabetic specialist nurse from the hospital. I have Lipohypertrophy, in part from re-using needles and not moving sites enough. I need more needles than the 200 my practice provide a month. I asked the receptionist how I can get an increase, and he stated that the only way was an appointment with my GP. It seems to me a big waste of GP time to get extra needles. I asked if there was any other way, but apparently not. The justification from him was that it was law (???) that my GP sees me as it could be dangerous if medication is changed and he hasn't had a consultation and discussed it with me. I tried to argue that they are not actually medicine and that I require them to SAFELY ADMINISTER my medication. I asked for a call back, but apparently these are emergency only and I would be taking the service away from somebody who needs it! After apologising for appearing annoyed (I didn't shout or anything), I explained again that I understood procedures exist, but that it seems a waste of GP time and my time, and that I have already taken a lot of time out of work this year through appointments. He responded that it would be unfair to other patients if I got a change to my medication without seeing the GP, just because I couldn't be bothered to come in - ironic surely, as taking up the time of a GP for this would surely be more unfair to patients in need! I asked to speak to the practice manager, but I couldn't as apparently he was leaving very soon.

To add to this. I have never been given a sharps bin, I should have chased this but it hasn't been my priority compared to the numerous other issues I have had. My diabetic nurse from the hospital gave me information today saying GPs provide/prescribe the first one, after which a council agency collects and replaces them. The receptionist when asked said that my GP practice doesn't provide them. On pushing he asked someone and they provided a small one. He remained adamant that they aren't meant to, and that the information isn't correct.

I also did not receive a flu jab reminder. When I asked for one the receptionist wasn't sure I was entitled (she knew I was a diabetic), and said that I had to ask the DSN.

My rant is over. Over to you guys... :***:
 
With test strips the doctor saying 'oh you get hypo's' that's almost saying im too lazy to Google diabetes and as far as im aware every time you do your insulin you should test to work out how much you need. they launch campaign's to raise awareness in teenagers but i think they need to do one for ignorant GP's.
 
Just to say that I am type 1 and I rarely get hypos. Maybe one every 2-3 months on average. I went almost a year without a hypo a while back. (so type 1's without hypos do exist!)
I also don't test every day. On here people seem to say that you should. But I don't see much point when the numbers keep coming out the same (about 5-6). Am I missing something with this one?
I did have a small issue with this when I changed GP practice.. they told me I had to get a new meter because the test strips are cheaper. Not a massive issue, but the memory has no record of time/date of testing, meaning I now forget when I last tested. I might bring this up next time I visit.

Out of interest.. how do you get through more than 200 needles a month? I get through about 120, which is 4 injections a day. Not saying you are wrong.. just curious.

On the sharps bin front.. My DSN said I had to contact the council about it and I have found the council really useful (I have had this with two different councils). I phoned up and said I needed one (for the first time), and they delivered. Now I phone up when it gets full and they collect it and give me a new one. Maybe try contacting the council about this one?
 
I also don't test every day. On here people seem to say that you should. But I don't see much point when the numbers keep coming out the same (about 5-6). Am I missing something with this one?
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Potentially the law - you are required to test every time you drive (so the suggestion that you don't need to test every day is completely idiotic)
 
AMBrennan said:
I also don't test every day. On here people seem to say that you should. But I don't see much point when the numbers keep coming out the same (about 5-6). Am I missing something with this one?
Click to expand...
Potentially the law - you are required to test every time you drive (so the suggestion that you don't need to test every day is completely idiotic)
Click to expand...

I don't drive. So that isn't an issue. But if that is the only reason, then why should I have to test every day?
 
All I can say Clarisuc is that we cant all be perfect....

Dissolved girl, I like you have recently moved Gps, Im T1, I suffer lots of hypos and I need to test lots and lots minimum 6 times per day..

I too had issues getting test strips and had to make appointments to see the GP. They are just trying to save money where possible I think in terms of what they give you. I went in with half an essay on why i needed strips, and my key mention was driving. Once I stated that I drove minimum 3 times a day and that under THEIR guidence I had to test everytime i got in the car, it was game over... Like yourself a small victory.

I think thats just the way it is, a constant battle...
 
Clarisuc - if you don't drive then you only need to test as often as YOU need to. I test alot because I drive alot. If I didn't drive then I would probably test once a day. Being diabetic for so long I've usually got a fairly good idea of what my sugar levels are like day in day out. Sounds like you do too :)

Dissolvedgirl - rant away! I've had some fairly similar fights with my GP in the past and it is so frustrating. On fact, I have just come back from the doctors. My GP told me that type 1 diabetics should avoid low carb diets and should aim to eat 50g of carbs each meal and a further 40g or so in snacks. He told me that low carb diets are bad for type 1. So, better control, less insulin, generally feel better, lose weight... actually, now I think about it, maybe he has a point!

With regards to sharp bins, I'd just call your council and ask them for one. Failing that, some chemists will dispense them (at least they used to).

Em
 
Obviously, how often you need to test is something that you need to individually agree with your care team and that will depend on the volatility of your BG: If your fasting/pre-meal readings are always 4.5-5.0, then you probably don't need to test before every meal, and if you're lazy like me and tend to eat the same meals a lot (200g re-heated pasta with half a can of kidney beans, veg and a nominal serving of meat) then you probably don't need to test after every meal either.

However, the requirement to test before driving is *independent* of circumstances, which is why I gave it to support the claim that the doctor's statement is idiotic - it doesn't matter whether or not you "get hypos" as you have to test regardless.
 
Claricus said:
Out of interest.. how do you get through more than 200 needles a month? I get through about 120, which is 4 injections a day. Not saying you are wrong.. just curious.

On the sharps bin front.. My DSN said I had to contact the council about it and I have found the council really useful (I have had this with two different councils). I phoned up and said I needed one (for the first time), and they delivered. Now I phone up when it gets full and they collect it and give me a new one. Maybe try contacting the council about this one?
Click to expand...

Oops. I typo-d :oops: , I meant to write 100 needles! I'm on 5 injections a day (excluding any correction doses). I would like 200 needles.

My GP/practice nurse must refer me to the council. This is from information on their website and the information provided to me from the diabetic nurses at the hospital I've been referred to. The practice nurse was meant to call me last week, but hasn't. So I suppose I will have to contact them again.

Even if I do the same thing every day my blood sugars appear to vary (same food, same levels of exercise). It's very demotivating. I'm talking one day between 5.0 - 6.0, then next few day running in double figures with no obvious reason that I can discern.

I've still yet to receive an appointment with a consultant at the hospital. It will be a year in January since I moved to the practice... I'm going to be moving soon so perhaps I'll have better luck with my next GP.
 
I got my first sharps bin on prescription from my gp I just picked it up from the chemist. I bought some small sharps bins from eBay as I wanted a small one to take on holiday. I don't get strips from my gp anymore as I am type 2 so if I want strips I have to buy my own.
 
HI also don't test every day. On here people seem to say that you should. But I don't see much point when the numbers keep coming out the same (about 5-6). Am I missing something with this one?
I did have a small issue with this when I changed GP practice.. they told me I had to get a new meter because the test strips are cheaper. Not a massive issue, but the memory has no record of time/date of testing, meaning I now forget when I last tested. I might bring this up next time I visit.

Hi there
With Multiple Daily Injections you are meant to to test before every bolus, even if you are eating the same things as always, in case you need to factor a correction dose - positive or negative.

If they gave you the Gluco RX meter this was only meant to be standard advice for Type 2s. The meter will be withdrawn soon as it will not meet new accuracy criteria. (My DSN told me this in August). I thought it was the worst meter ever! You should deffo ask for a different meter - no time / date - how silly!
 
kt78 said:
HI also don't test every day. On here people seem to say that you should. But I don't see much point when the numbers keep coming out the same (about 5-6). Am I missing something with this one?
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If you don't drive and you feel confident enough that your diabetes is well controlled then that decision is yours KT.
 
I'm a T2 so I don't have to do as much testing as a T1 and I bought my own meter and strips because I knew from the forum that T2s are not considered to need daily testing. I prefer to test and accept that's my choice as far as the NHS is concerned.

However, if I was a T1 that would be a totally different matter.

I would definitely be wanting to test very frequently every day and if I'd been given the conflicting and confusing advice some posters here have been given by their GPs I think I'd be taking the matter to a higher level, perhaps a phone call or a letter to the local Primary Care Trust telling them that you're unsure what the blood testing regulations are for T1 Diabetics and asking them to make it clear what you're entitled to ask of your GP.

You could even contact the Department of Health and stress that as a T1 your life could well be at risk if you receive conflicting information from your GP and refusal of essential medical supplies.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/ContactUs/DH_4

If it's a case of GP's trying to penny pinch by not giving essential supplies to those who really need them, then I think they need a good kick up the bum from the PCT and the DOH. They could save money elsewhere, like on producing so many glossy leaflets and posters that nobody reads or put straight in the bin once they have read them. Better still, let them take a paycut like the rest of us. :wink:
 
My Dad has had nothing but hassle from his GP's surgery! It's a total joke! he now has to go to the hospital for blog tests instead of his GP!!!! :crazy: :crazy: Disgusting!! Is it so the NHS can gain even more money from the hyped up car parking fees!! What ever happened to looking after the OAP's in this country?? :shifty:
 
triggerdog said:
My Dad has had nothing but hassle from his GP's surgery! It's a total joke! he now has to go to the hospital for blog tests instead of his GP!!!! :crazy: :crazy: Disgusting!! Is it so the NHS can gain even more money from the hyped up car parking fees!! What ever happened to looking after the OAP's in this country?? :shifty:
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Write to his local PCT and send a copy to the DOH and your local MP. If we all suffer in silence and just put up with poor treatment from GPs - nothing changes and they continue to get away with it. Patients need to voice their opinions.

Also please use this website - it's especially for patients to 'tell their story' be it good or bad, about their NHS experience either at GP or Hospital etc. They do get read, and they do get passed on to the relevant people who can then respond. Also they get read by others indirectly involved who can see any issues that are being repeated over and over.

If I have a particularly good experience, I use it to describe what happened and what I am thankful for. Equally if I have a rotten experience I use to describe that and what I feel about it and what I would like to see changed.

https://www.patientopinion.org.uk/

:thumbup:
 
Hello all. It is a disapointment that these days you really have to scream to get the things you need to help maintain your health, I think is that the NHS has been forced to see budgets not level of care, using shortcuts here and there to save money.

For the subject of test strips etc as diabetics we are told that blood glucose levels are vital and for many type 2 they are being told they are not entitled. I feel privilaged to be unrestricted as type 1 to be able to get what I need. My biggest problem is type 2 diabetics it is still just as important for them to monitor blood glucose levels, yet our health services deny them that what I regard as essential equipment for any type of diabetes, this above all is counterproductive and in the long run NOT cost effective as complications may arise because of a lack of foresight.

ALL DIABETICS NEED THE CORRECT EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR HEALTH and lets face it those who have to pay full price for strips are filling these companies pockets with cash.

My frank opinion

Simon aka Cobra3164
 
noblehead said:
kt78 said:
HI also don't test every day. On here people seem to say that you should. But I don't see much point when the numbers keep coming out the same (about 5-6). Am I missing something with this one?
Click to expand...


If you don't drive and you feel confident enough that your diabetes is well controlled then that decision is yours KT.
Click to expand...

unfortunately if you DO DRIVE and are on insulin or other drugs that can cause hypoglycemia, then that decision is out of your hands... you HAVE to test when you get behind the wheel and every two hours thereafter while still driving...

them's the rules...
 
As Gracek mentions. Im Type 2 and I test daily. FBS and more to see which foods spike me.
I call it management and know that type 2 can get worse. Everyday is different.
Im just being careful. Not particularly obsessive, I just want to know when I eat, what works or not.
 
I must be really lucky with my Doctor's surgery, I'm T1 but even so my Dr says "I'll prescribe anything for you that will make your life easier, or anything you need.". They have never restricted the number of strips, needles or lancets. If I phone up and ask to see a doctor they always offer me a same day appointment. I see a consultant at the hospital every 6 months and have regular contact with the DSNs there. My GPs' have a DSN too, and she is lovely.

I should obviously be VERY grateful!
 
Dougal said:
I must be really lucky with my Doctor's surgery, I'm T1 but even so my Dr says "I'll prescribe anything for you that will make your life easier, or anything you need.". They have never restricted the number of strips, needles or lancets. If I phone up and ask to see a doctor they always offer me a same day appointment. I see a consultant at the hospital every 6 months and have regular contact with the DSNs there. My GPs' have a DSN too, and she is lovely.

I should obviously be VERY grateful!
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That's brilliant Dougal ... it sounds like you have a real doctor with a good set of ears and eyes and a heart to go with it. I'm also lucky in that it's not difficult to get an appointment at my GPs, and although all the GP's I've seen have been locums, they've been excellent. I had a bad start with my DSN when she tried to put me on statins and BP and it was all going a bit too fast for me, but at my review she was great. I've been called and recalled and recalled again for repeat blood tests and I do feel as if they're on the ball, which is much more than I can say for my previous GPs.

I make a point of expressing gratitude annoyance when it's due but I also do regularly express gratitude too - I think it's just as important to let the NHS know when they're getting it right as well as getting it wrong.

This link can be used to let your surgery and your hospital know what you appreciate about them - https://www.patientopinion.org.uk/ :D
 
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