Do I complain ? Misdiagnosed

Proxima_Centauri

sheramber wrote: »

I didn't even think about complaining about the first doctor.

Why? (genuine question )

Appendicitis is 1) potentially fatal, and 2) not difficult to diagnose!

elisebutt65

I called up this morning for another appointment and got an awful dragon on the phone. She even refused a phone appointment!
I wrote up a brief letter stating the facts as I stated before, excluding the bits about him not understanding me as I don't want to be seen as a whinging white middle class racist.

Anyway, I thought I'd try again this afternoon and asked for a sit and wait appointment. Receptionist couldn't have been more different. She said did I want to see the same GP to which I replied'not blooming likely, thanks'. Got in around 4pm and seen by 4.20. GP was lovely. She took me seriously, examined me and got another wee sample. Gave me a fit note until Monday and more painkillers. Going for another blood test tomorrow as the pain's not abating, so she wants to check that the antibiotics are working.

I might have to go for a scan depending on the bloods. I dropped the letter in reception on the way out and I'm going to write another praising the GP I saw today as she was excellent.

I feel a bit like a DM reader with all these letters I'm writing. Lol.

custardy

elisebutt65 wrote: »

I called up this morning for another appointment and got an awful dragon on the phone. She even refused a phone appointment!
I wrote up a brief letter stating the facts as I stated before, excluding the bits about him not understanding me as I don't want to be seen as a whinging white middle class racist.

Anyway, I thought I'd try again this afternoon and asked for a sit and wait appointment. Receptionist couldn't have been more different. She said did I want to see the same GP to which I replied'not blooming likely, thanks'. Got in around 4pm and seen by 4.20. GP was lovely. She took me seriously, examined me and got another wee sample. Gave me a fit note until Monday and more painkillers. Going for another blood test tomorrow as the pain's not abating, so she wants to check that the antibiotics are working.

I might have to go for a scan depending on the bloods. I dropped the letter in reception on the way out and I'm going to write another praising the GP I saw today as she was excellent.

I feel a bit like a DM reader with all these letters I'm writing. Lol.

No you are totally right.
In your case it meant extended discomfort but for others it could be far more serious.
I would be the last one to slate medical staff in the NHS (having had private treatment its not that much better outside of waiting times) and understand its a difficult job.

Proxima_Centauri

Do register a comment, and obviously make sure you don't see that particular doctor again. Whether anything will be done about them before they eventually get had up for negligence is unclear, but if patients don't say anything, the surgery can claim they didn't know..

NHS Receptionists seem to be a law unto themselves I'm afraid - a few are very helpful and professional, but many of them.. you wonder why they chose that job, they couldn't be more belligerent and rude if they tried!

sheramber

iT wasn't a straightforward diagnosis as I had severe pain across the front of my abdomen, no pain down my right side.

I couldn't curl up but had to lie stretched out to be more comfortable.

Not classic symptoms.

martinnathalie9

Sorry you had to go through this! It's a difficult one as the expectation on GPs is huge, and they can only really go off 'typical' symptoms to diagnose patients. If you are lucky enough to meet these 'typical' symptoms for whatever is wrong then you will likely be diagnosed effectively, but how many patients actually present with typical symptoms? Personally I think it's a flawed system. Although I agree with the majority of comments here - you should definitely write to the practice. If anything it might mean that you prevent someone else from having the same experience...