Navigating GPs

When my clients are making a benefit claim, I always recommend that they apply to their GP’s surgery for their patient summary for the last two years.  This is really important as it will back up the information they are putting on their application forms. 

However, some surgeries are informing their patients that they cannot do it, it will take 10 weeks’, they have to pay for it and so on.  This is so wrong as patients can access their medical records at no charge.  Some surgeries can print off the information the same day, so please do not give up when you ask for it.

Another problem with GP’s surgeries is the difficulty in getting a GP appointment.  People are waiting for weeks which does not seem right and often the patient ends up in the Accident and Emergency department at the hospital.

One of my clients went to see a nurse at her health centre, she was asked how she was, so she explained to the nurse that she was feeling very down and wanted to jump under a bus.  The nurse arranged an emergency appointment with her GP which my client attended the same day.

When my client saw her GP and explained how she was feeling, he was worried about her mental health so prescribed her a week’s worth of sleeping pills!  He then did not follow up with a telephone call, in fact there was no contact at all for 3 months.  This GP had given my client the equivalent of a loaded gun, she could easily have taken an overdose on the medication he prescribed and killed herself.  Thankfully, she did not but this was negligence by the GP and my client has now reported him to her GP’s practice, which will hopefully make him aware of what he did and not do it again.

To report a GP – first of all ask to speak with the practice manager at the GP’s surgery.  Explain the situation and ask them to investigate your case.  If you are not happy with the reply, please contact – The Patient Experience Team of the NHS – 0300 123 1672 where you will be able to report the GP.  They will take the case forward for you.

Remember, if you need help or support please call me at One Stop Advocacy on 07464 106 903.