Doctors - Do I Complain? Long, sorry...

[ratty]

Ok. I'll try and keep this as short as possible but it's difficult without explaining everything!

I have been to the doctors with the same persistent problem which has been getting gradually worse. They have been telling me it's migraines plus something else (virus or whatever). I had a blood test which came back with some abnormalities. They told me I'd have to wait three weeks before they could re-test me to check the abnormalities again (apparently nothing they can do in the meantime).

I have been off work sick, and every time I go back to work I end up having to come home. The thought of waiting three weeks was disheartening, but I tried to get on with it. Anyway last Thursday, I couldn't even last an hour at work. I nearly passed out and really had to come home sick. I decided, even though I'd been told to wait three weeks, that I had to see the doctor. I'd had enough and I couldn't keep going home sick (I've been having to do this for months now).

There were no appointments for a week, so I made an emergency appointment to see the nurse at 10.45am on Thursday. She couldn't help and referred me to the doctor, who saw me shortly afterwards. He was really helpful and said they'd repeat the tests then instead of waiting three weeks as in his words there was 'clearly something wrong'. He also said he'd test me for additional stuff and confirmed it wasn't just a migraine. Great, I thought. He told me to come in on Tuesday for the results and they'd get them back quickly to try and resolve my problem, and he signed me off work for a week.

So I went to reception around 11.20am and asked to see the nurse as instructed by the doctor. The receptionist told me they were full, but they would tag me on to the end (because the doctor had requested this). I asked how long this would take just out of interest and was told there was no way of knowing, and that I'd just have to wait for everyone else to be seen before me.

I sat down in the waiting room at about 11.30am and I waited an hour then I went back to reception and queried my waiting time. I was told they'd forgotten to put my name down on the list (and the nurses had actually finished for lunch). They called a nurse back and the nurse was apologetic (though it wasn't her fault). The receptionist didn't say much to me but told me I should have informed them earlier - I don't know how I was supposed to know because she wouldn't tell me in the first place how long I was supposed to be waiting and made out it was going to be ages. I had my blood test and eventually left the surgery at 12.45pm (so I'd been there two hours).

Anyway, I went back yesterday morning for my test results as instructed by the doctor. I saw a different doctor and she told me my blood tests were all normal. I asked about the abnormalities and she told me that I hadn't had those repeated. Basically, the previous doctor had forgotten to request the repeat tests, so they only tested me on new stuff. So I had to go back again today for another blood test for what should have been tested last week - again a long wait - this time around 45 minutes, I was told I just had to turn up and wait because there were no blood test appointments for two weeks. I don't mind waiting, however I seem to be spending half my life in there at the moment.

The doctor yesterday signed me off work for a month by the way, so it's not as if they are telling me nothing is wrong.

In itself, I'd probably just put this down to a couple of human errors. However I've had the same problem before (being 'missed off' a list and waiting for at least an hour to be seen by a nurse), and when I originally moved here it took at least three attempts before they got my details correct. Every time I had an appointment they told me my temporary registration had expired, even though I'd registered as permanent several times. It meant I couldn't get repeat prescriptions without making an appointment to see a doctor. The receptionists were useless with me then, and 'lost' my forms I had completed three separate times. I had numerous doctors appointments to be 'registered' each time and eventually one of the doctors walked to reception with me and sat down with the receptionist and sorted it out (he was really unimpressed with how I'd been treated).

I've got to go back in 10 days to get this round of results and I'm just dreading something else happening like this and prolonging the diagnosis. My partner, who is registered at the same surgery, has never had any problems whatsoever.

To be honest, I just want to be treated and diagnosed and don't want to disrupt my treatment. However they seem to make so many cock ups I don't know if it's worth complaining, or if I should give them the benefit of the doubt, or what.

[Azi]

I'd complain if I were you - sounds like an absolute nightmare. Hope you get better soon too.

[Mina]

It's only my opinion, but I think you should concentrate on finding a diagnosis for your migraines and ill health and get some treatment or referral to specialists sorted out first.

Then you can send a letter of complaint (and keep a copy for your own records) only once you are feeling better and back at work.

I only say this because you are not very well at the moment and probably worried about your job and your health - having an ongoing complaint with your surgery could turn out to be another thing that stresses you out and makes your migraines worse. You may need to persevere and chase them a bit to get your complaint resolved and get a proper apology.

Hope you feel better soon

[~Andrew~]

What you put forward is a very valid point and i reckon your in a strong position to bring it to the attention of the practice manager. Everyone makes mistakes but when it comes to health professionals and doctors these errors should be very minimal due to the responsibility of peoples lives in there hands.
So yeah write your complaint just make sure its not abusive or angry i find that doesn't really get you anywhere in life. And being the NHS you will get a reply as its protocol to reply to all complaints submitted by patients.

[ratty]

Thank you all three of you. Your advice is really helpful. Having some kind of support is just great as I'm feeling pretty terrible at the moment (no light at the end of the tunnel type thing). I just want to feel better.

I think I will do as Mina suggests and hold fire for the meantime, at least until my next appointment.

Thanks all