Private Blood Test? (cheap one?) - London

[Wiggynut]

Hi

I've had a nightmare with doctors who never have all my notes - for the last 9 years!!

I always give my last docs info etc to the new doctors but my notes never arrive.

I was with my previous doc for 3 years but no notes... the one before 2.5 years (I had tonisilitis for several years but he kept trying to give me tranquilisers???? and 3 different docs never looked at my throat once!) and the one before that for 4 years!

I've had swollen glands in my throat and underarms now for nearly 8 years but I can't seem to get a blood test done (and for some reason my right ear becomes rather tender at the same time) - I think the different docs automatically think the previous one has already done it and I'm someone who likes having tests done! but I only go to the doc if I've had something for a long time and it needs to be checked..ie Tonsilitis and the swollen gland thing.

I want to get my blood test done privately so that I can just get a check up to see if I don't have a virus from having Tonisilits for so long as maybe my body is having difficulty getting rid of it.

I'm so tired and generally spend most of the day wanting to sleep.. when I exercise my glands sometimes swell up so I end up not exercising as much as I want to (I'm overweight now!)

I want to get all my notes in one place but the new doc says 'she will wait until she gets them' despite me telling her that's what the previous doc said and nothing in 3 years.. .and the one before that etc! So I can't even apply to look at my doctors notes!

I've found one place in Finchley (north London) that charges £51 for the test and £30 to actually draw the blood - £81 in total but if I want some one to explain the results then it's another £30 (guess I could just take it to the docs?).

I figure it will also be useful if it gives info on Cholestral, B vits level, etc - everthing hopefully.

Has anyone got a Blood test done privately and can you let me know what your experience was.

thank you.

[kathy206]

Hi Wiggy nut
While I appreciate the sheer frustration you must be feeling at what appears to be constant buck passing regarding your health and well being, I would advise against private blood testing. If you really want to have a test done privately I would enquire to see if you can get a health screening with BUPA.(don't know how much they are) they pretty much screen everything and I am sure they will interpret the results for you as well. I would imagine your GP wouldn't be too impressed if you pitched up at their surgery with private blood tests to interpret. I would present again at the surgery and reiterate your concerns regarding the swollen glands, to your GP, and,at the same time I would contact your old surgery to make sure that all your notes have been forwarded in a timely fashion (can't understand what the delay is really, surely all notes are scanned onto computer?) If you aren't satisfied with the answers you get then you should really raise a complaint via PALS and the practice manager. Are you losing a lot of work time through your condition? Does your workplace have an occupational health dept? If so then maybe you can access blood tests via that route. I really feel that you need to be having some continuity in your care, and if you go privately for blood tests then something is found, how will this clinic follow it up? I strongly suggest you go back to your GP and ask for an explanation and explain to them why you are concerned. I wish you the very best of luck .
Kathy

[Wiggynut]

Thanks for your help!

I work for a very small company that is going down the pan!! and there is no benefits to this job.

The Bupa health check is more than £400 which I can't afford!
I don't really understand why I can't get a test from the docs anyway.
I know it wouldn't be too nice for me to turn up with results from a private practice but I wouldn't have to do that if they did there job in the first place.

I don't think I'm being unreasonable in wanting to know why my glands are swollen for 8 years... my last doc said it was because I shaved my underarms?!?!?!?!? and that was it... didn't even check or ask questions.

I'll call my old doctor and ask if they've sent off my notes yet... but if my all my notes are at different places it could take a long time for them to be collected in one place - and I know the old doc didn't have anything in 3 years *sigh*

I'll also try going to my docs again but I actually HATE going now as I feel like it's a waste of time... if they don't do the blood test then I'll have to complain via PALS (I was wondering where to go to complain as I had no idea!!)

I just want to get my health sorted - If you feel ill it's hard to start exercise when you feel ill and tired all the time - it's like aversion therapy!!!

Thanks for your help

[princess]

If you do a search on 'private gp' it should be fairly easy to find one in your area, with consultations starting from about £50. Might this be your best bet, then they can decide if a blood test is the way forward or just check you out thoroughly if youve lost confidence in your usual gp?

[angel]

Most of the main London Stations have Medi-Centres in them which offer a GP service. It might be worth popping in there or calling to have a chat with them to see if they might be able to help.

http://medicentre.co.uk/home.htm

[kathy206]

:eek: £400! for a health check! OUCH! I apologise I never thought it would be THAT expensive!! You must be really fed up with all this apparent fobbing off *sigh* :rolleyes:
You have every right to feel well, and if you don't, you have every right to know why not. (even if it takes a while to get to the bottom of the problem) I would perhaps suggest you see another GP at your practice (if there's one available) and write down all your health concerns before you go. Don't wait until you feel really cr*ppy ,and, if necessary, ask for a double appointment. In the meantime, try taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement, drink plenty of fluids and try and eat a healthy balanced diet( a cliche I know but it does help when you are feeling run down, I don't want you to think I am patronising you.) If your GP still refuses to do bloods etc ask them WHY and reiterate that you feel more than a little fobbed off. You are entitled to a free health care service and it bugs me that people are made to feel as though they have no option but to go private just because of apparent indifference on the part of their GP :mad: (right, sorry about that, rant over :rotfl: ) I am a little confused, still ,as to why your present GP has no electronic copy of your notes:confused: All paper copies should have been scanned onto the computer, and as this is still an ongoing problem then I would have thought your present GP would have started to investigate anyway... (BTW I am a health care practitioner but I work in urgent out of hours care in case you were wondering lol) Anyhoo, sorry for such a long rant at this time of night I tend to ramble. Best of Luck
Kathy