I didn't even bother asking for a meter or strips, I've got enough stress going on without wasting time listening to the HCP give me some poor excuse as to why the NHS don't think I need them.
I've changed a lot since my recent diagnosis - I've decided not to bother trying to enlighten any HCP or anyone else who doesn't want to know because they believe they know it all and have nothing to learn from patients who are willing to do their own research and learn through their own trial and error. If I sense someone doesn't want the feedback I simply don't offer it now and nor do I help charitable organisations or donate to NHS charities who remain blinkered and closed minded where patients feedback is concerned.
Yesterday I had a gynae appointment and I forgot to mention to the doctor that I would like a copy of my clinic letter to be sent to me when it's typed up so I asked the receptionist on the way out. She looked blankly at me as if I was asking for a huge favour and grudgingly said she'd see what she could do. I had the same palaver last time I asked for this 'service' which is actually a patient's right. The letter is, after all, from one doctor who is treating us to another doctor, our GP, and the letter is ABOUT US, THE PATIENT. So as it's ABOUT ME, I want to see it. The reason is that a) I'm the patient, b) I want to know what's been diagnosed and what treatment, further investigations, recommendations have been made to my GP, c) I want to ensure that I RECEIVE that recommended treatment, further investigations, recommendations.
Why am I not content to trust my GP practice to READ the letter from the Hospital Consultant?
Well, on a professional level I'm a Medical Secretary who works for Hospital Consultants and I know the clinic letters I type are thorough but on a personal level I'm also a Patient (with a capital P), and I've experienced 'being left out of the information loop' one time too many and became very ill and nearly lost my life because my former GP DID NOT BOTHER to follow the Hospital Consultants recommendations to perform regular blood tests on me. And that GP practice is not the only GP practice to make that 'error'.
A year or so ago a Practice Nurse complained to the GMC about one of the GPs in her practice who she knew was ignoring test results and failing to inform patients who had cancer, that they needed to have further tests and reviews performed. They investigated and a stack of test results which should have been dealt with urgently by the GP were found stashed away in the office. Some of those cancer patients had died and some had deteriorated because of that GP 'error', but importantly, if the PATIENT had been INCLUDED IN THE INFORMATION LOOP, they would have been AWARE that they needed further treatment or tests and would have been able to contact their GP to find out when this would happen.
As the situation currently stands, patients know sod all about what happens next, and if the GP chooses to ignore the Hospital Consultant's instructions regarding further treatment, then they can do that and no-one is any the wiser. The patient knows nothing because they're not privy to the clinic letter, and the Hospital Consultant assumes that the GP is doing what has been advised.
Meanwhile, PATIENTS DETERIORATE AND DIE.
So as a Medical Secretary, I am always MORE THAN HAPPY to provide patients with clinic letters and I think it should be the NORM rather than the EXCEPTION. And the majority of Hospital Consultants I've worked for are also quite happy for the patient to have a copy of their clinic letter. I think it's INSULTING to leave the PATIENT out of the communication loop and the excuse made is often that it's in the patients best interests not to know. And it's a poor excuse because the real reason is ECONOMICS. There are three people involved in the clinical loop - PATIENT, GP and CONSULTANT - they should ALL be privy to any correspondence, ESPECIALLY the patient.
I'm sad to say that it's my colleagues in the Admin and Med Sec departments who often ignore the patients request because a) it means they physically have more pieces of paper to print off and put in envelopes and it adds to their workload, b) postage and stationery costs are increased c) there may be more telephone queries from patients to deal with.
Be that as it may, it's not a good reason to keep the PATIENT in the dark about their own diagnosis and treatment and I really wish patients would WAKE UP and realise we need to PARTICIPATE and keep up to date with our own management.
The GP who didn't bother to inform his cancer patients they needed further treatment or investigations wasn't struck off by the way. He was simply suspended for a period of time and then moved to another practice. However, the Practice Nurse who acted in the best interests of the patients by reporting the GP lost her job and has been unable to find further employment. That's sad.
But the WORST thing was - PATIENTS weren't just suspended, nor did they lose their jobs - THEY DIED.
So I'd say that the clinic letters and test results should actually BE ADDRESSED TO AND SENT TO THE PATIENT and the COPY should be sent to the GP, if the NHS REALLY had any respect for the patient. If a patient doesn't want to know the details, and wants to leave their health and their life in the hands of their GP - fine, they can request NOT to be sent clinic letters.
But as it stands at the moment, despite all the fancy leaflets on display in hospital reception and clinic areas telling us we only have to ask and it shall be given - the reality is - ask several people, receive blank stares, telephone secretary, be told she'll do what she can ... it's NOT good enough. Glossy leaflets ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH - WITHOUT THE ACTION TO MATCH THE WORDS.
How dare the NHS complain about the extra costs involved in keeping patients copied in to clinic letters etc. The NHS is ABOUT PATIENTS. Without PATIENTS, no HCP would be in a job. They should remember that first and foremost.
:x :x :x :x :x :x :x :x
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2121286/
http://patients.about.com/od/yourmedica ... esults.htm
Rant over.
