Bit of advice on GP complaints/getting to see a new GP

[Haggisman]

Just after a bit of advice/suggestions really:

My partner is 7 months pregnant, and so is at the stage where she needs to see her doctor/midwife frequently. Unfortunately our local GP is completely useless, his English is terrible, every week when she goes in he's forgotten who she is, why she's there, and she gets an earful for not going to see him before.

He refuses to prescribe her more than a couple of weeks' worth of anti-sickness tablets for her hyperemesis, and gives her sick notes for a month at a time (yeah because she's suddenly going to get "better" from being pregnant), which last month caused major problems with her ESA (they "lost" the note, resulting in her being without money for 3 weeks).

He's also repeatedly failed to refer her to the appropriate services at the hospital, e.g. scans etc.

The midwife is equally useless, not giving her any information, again not referring her to appropriate services (she's supposed to have started ante-natal classes already, but the midwife hasn't given her any information on them, despite asking several times.)

She's gotten so frustrated by it, she's walked to the next nearest surgery, about a mile down the road and tried to register there, only to be told that, since the current surgery is closer, they can't take her on.

I've just told her to speak to the CAB and the PCT, but is there anything else she can try?

We're both getting pretty annoyed/frustrated with it now, it's our first, and to be honest we're a little lost with what to do.

 

[ubersonic]

Your GP is being strangled from above, a new GP will have the same constraints.

 

[Haggisman]

Your GP is being strangled from above, a new GP will have the same constraints.

He's going to be strangled by me soon!

In all seriousness, I think he should have retired already, we had to repeat everything we said 3-4 times, completely forgetful, was shaking like a leaf, and didn't have the first clue of how to use his computer (he actually asked me to use it for him!).

Things like the sick note and the duration of the prescription I can understand being set by higher up, but as an actual GP he was useless.

 

[Showboat]

You only go to the GP once when pregnant, they then refer you to a hospital who deal directly with you for all scans etc. You should be booking your next scan when you leave your current one... don't see how they can fail to do this. Ante-natal classes are also run by the hospital, although midwife shoud help if needed.

I don't recall my wife seeing a midwife prior to going into labour!

As for the rest of it it's probably the process they have to follow, they are supposed to be seeing people on medication frequently to make sure they should still be on it, likewise for the sick notes.

 

[rotters]

speak with the gp manager, complain that way, ring your local maternity unit and ask to speak to a manager re anti natal classes, also I agree with only getting 1 month sick notes im sorry to say but morning sickness does pass and she will need to go back to work, its very rare for a women to have HG for the whole pregnancy. its not a very nice feeling to be treated poorly but dont get angry do something about it!

 

[arknor]

doesnt your local gp surgery have more than one doctor? at my local surgery
http://www.prospectmedicalgroup.nhs.uk/
i can ask for my apointment to be with whoever i want, my wife does the same

i thought it was standard practice now to only give 1month sicknotes and repeat prescriptionshave to be renewed.
my ex wifes on some tablets for life and she still has to keep getting the prescription renewed

 

[boxman2000]

Speak to the hospital, ask the midwife if there's anything you can do direct or at the very least ask if there's anything they can do/suggest when dealing with GP.

 

[Haggisman]

We've had all the scans now (thankfully!) but she's been having quite a few... complications... the hyperemesis being one, and the doctor at the hospital was also concerned about her having puerperal psychosis, for which her GP was supposed to refer her "urgently" (this was about 2 months ago).

We moved up here from Bath in September, and the GPs down there were great, but this guy is just awful.

 

[Participant]

So there's only one GP at your local practice? My wife asked to see a female when she was pregnant and the surgery happily agreed.

As regards the ante-natal classes, trying going to straight to the hospital and speaking to the ante-natal clinic. You'd be very unlucky to get your midwife on the line!

The sick note thing doesn't sound too unreasonable though. Although I don't know anything about 'hyperemesis'.

PS Bath to Walsall? I hope it was a good job!

 

[Haggisman]

doesnt your local gp surgery have more than one doctor? at my local surgery
http://www.prospectmedicalgroup.nhs.uk/
i can ask for my apointment to be with whoever i want, my wife does the same

Unfortunately it's a tiny local practice, so I think there's only the one doctor.

speak with the gp manager, complain that way, ring your local maternity unit and ask to speak to a manager re anti natal classes, also I agree with only getting 1 month sick notes im sorry to say but morning sickness does pass and she will need to go back to work, its very rare for a women to have HG for the whole pregnancy. its not a very nice feeling to be treated poorly but dont get angry do something about it!

She still has it, she tries every couple of weeks not taking the tablets for a day - which usually results in her spending the next couple of days throwing up every hour

We've tried doing something about it - going to another surgery, but they won't take her

The sick note thing doesn't sound too unreasonable though. Although I don't know anything about 'hyperemesis'.

It's basically "morning sickness" except much more extreme and can potentially last the whole pregnancy (in her case it has unfortunately ) She's been in hospital with it several times, having to stay in on a drip over a few days because she couldn't keep anything down (even water) and was dehydrating.

PS Bath to Walsall? I hope it was a good job!

It's a fantastic job! Hopefully moving more to Solihull/Warwick area when our current rental is up though...

 

[Participant]

the doctor at the hospital was also concerned about her having puerperal psychosis, for which her GP was supposed to refer her "urgently" (this was about 2 months ago).

That's a post-partum condition according to Wiki?

This is your wife and baby, time to get serious about resolving any issues you're unhappy with. Just don't shout at anyone or they'll strike you off .

 

[Haggisman]

That's a post-partum condition according to Wiki?

This is your wife and baby, time to get serious about resolving any issues you're unhappy with. Just don't shout at anyone or they'll strike you off .

It is, but they're concerned because she's already started showing signs of it =/

I'm trying to get serious about it, but a little stuck with knowing where to start - hence this thread

She's just told me that they're refusing to let her see another doctor at that surgery because she should stay with the same one...

 

[Participant]

I'm trying to get serious about it, but a little stuck with knowing where to start - hence this thread

She's just told me that they're refusing to let her see another doctor at that surgery because she should stay with the same one...

Lodge a complaint with your local primary care trust.

If she played the 'I'm a girl and want to see a girl' card, then that's a very odd reaction for them to say no.

Welcome to the Midlands by the way .

 

[Ahleckz]

Who's refusing? A jumped up secretary? Speak to the practice manager, and make it known your concerns and that you are prepared to go higher if you aren't satisifed. I've used this option various times, and I've always gone away satisifed and any issues have been quickly resolved. They will try and fob you off at the beginning but make your views known and explain what you want.
Try other local GPs and explain the situation, I'd be very surprised if you couldn't change.
Can you not self-refer to the hospital?

I know things are different in England with care trusts and what not but I'd be surprised if there wasn't some sort of avenue that would aplease you.

 

[boxman2000]

You may want to threaten about lodging a complaint if X X and X haven't been addressed to your satisfaction by a certain date - at least give the GP some 'motivation' to help your missus.

I feel for you as my missus is pregnant at the moment and she's had issues with morning sickness and other things.

How far along is she? Presumably past the 3 months stage as that's generally when things calm down.

 

[Participant]

How far along is she? Presumably past the 3 months stage as that's generally when things calm down.

It says in the first sentence that the OP's partner (girlfriend) is 7 months along.

 

[rossk26]

She's just told me that they're refusing to let her see another doctor at that surgery because she should stay with the same one...

I find this very odd.

Firstly there is only 1 doctor attached to the surgery? I'm sure this isn't common practice and hasn't been for many years.

Secondly, there should be more than 1 surgery in your area? Where do you live? The only reason a practice can refuse to accept your wife, is if their list size is above maximum. You can ask the PCT to confirm this for you, and if they have space, then they have to accept you as a patient...

Dependant upon local funding, you may have what we call "Walk in Centres" or "Primary Care Access Centres". These are local surgeries with funding allocated to treating patients out-of-hours and also during normal surgery hours. They cannot refuse to see you or your wife, they are essentially like a more focused A+E with GP's.

Hope this helps.

 

[Colbaker]

Been there myself, just changed doctors at the same surgery, no issue at all. She can ask for a female.doctor.

 

[Haggisman]

Welcome to the Midlands by the way .

Haha, thanks... not so sure I like it here

She's called the PCT and is waiting for someone to phone back. She phoned the hospital directly about ante-natal classes, to be told she needs to be referred by her GP.

The surgery have been completely useless on the phone, so she's walking up there now to complain - hopefully she can get somewhere with them.

I find this very odd.

Firstly there is only 1 doctor attached to the surgery? I'm sure this isn't common practice and hasn't been for many years.

I've just checked this with her, and apparently they've said she should stay with the same doctor and won't let her see another.

Secondly, there should be more than 1 surgery in your area? Where do you live? The only reason a practice can refuse to accept your wife, is if their list size is above maximum. You can ask the PCT to confirm this for you, and if they have space, then they have to accept you as a patient...

There is another surgery, and she went up there last Wednesday to register - they told her she had to call back today to see if she was "accepted". Apparently, because her current surgery is closer, she needs to stay there.

 

[feedtheram]

You really do need to get tough with this system when it gets in your way. The health service is like a call centre checklist - if you answer A, B or C then they know exactly what to do but option Z doesn't exist and they are incabable of even comprehending it existing - they would rather fob you off and let someone else deal with you.

If there is only one doctor then take her to hospital - A&E if you have to. Start making complaints - in writing, over the phone. Just badger the **** out of them until someone does something - it's the only whay to get your way. Don't take **** from the Dr either.