Mumsnet Talk

I have my own GP in a big new shiny surgery but never get to see her as she is always booked up and often goes on holiday. So I get a different one every time I go..

I am a pretty healthy person luckily, but really don't feel like I can trust most GP's opinions. They always seem to just go for the easiest diagnosis.

I can see why so many people's cancers etc. are missed by shoddy GPs.

The latest advice is for people to stop bothering GPs with minor ailments, but you have to wait so long for an appointment I can't see why anyone would go unless they have to.
Then when you finally do get there, they are usually so dismissive that only people who complain the loudest will get proper care.
I understand they have a tough job but I can't help but feel most have a sense of superiority and are left not answerable to anyone.

AIBU?

I think YAB a little U. They do work very hard, and are on a very tight schedule. Plus I have always been very lucky with my GP, he was fantastic and took me seriously when I knew something was wrong, and has never questioned my judgement, which I both appreciate and respect.

I don't feel fobbed off by my GPs. I have always felt taken seriously, and have either left reassured that there is nothing to worry about, or been treated efficiently.

I know other people who have different opionions of the same GPs though. And on the whole they are the people who do take themselves and their children for minor ailments and are told just that.

But I do have very lovely GPs.

I think you have to be more specific about this - can you give a specific instance when you went to the GP and their 'opinion' proved to be wrong?

And your comment 'They always seem to just go for the easiest diagnosis.' - not sure what you mean by easiest. By and large, isn't the simplest solution usually the correct one?

No don't agree mine are lovely

Hmm. I sort of agree, there was a fab gp at my surgery last yr and then he left, just cant seem to find another good one. the last gp appt I had the gp said I have headlice(I dont) when there is clearly something wrong with my scalp, Im still none the wiser as to whats wrong with it, but havent been back yet because Im not sure who to see.

dp had a v v nasty virus last yr that made him temp paralysed for a few days and his joints seized up, he got fobbed off when he went to see the gp, I had to go back down and ask for certain blood tests to be done because the dr didnt seem bothered in the slightest

Most people do though go with ridiculous ailments.I have a GP friend and she says she reckons 90% of the peopel she sees don't need to come.

yanbu

I think you are totally spot on OP. A good GP is rare in my experience. It has actually got to the point where I really do not trust any of the GPs in my practice to do a proper job. And having moved around a lot I have practically worshipped the rare GP that actually seemed competent.

YANBU. Mine are great. I don't always see the one I'm registered with because I take the first available appointment, but that's my choice.

I really don't see how you can make a huge generalisation like: "You can't trust MOST GPs."

They are answerable to their primary care trust, their healthy authority, and the General Medical Council.

YABU, I meant, obviously. Doh.

The reason a generalisation can be made is because all GPs work under the same conditions and constraints that contribute towards poor service such as limited time with patients, too large lists etc etc. That is my opinion anyway

Hmmmm I think it varies enormously. My old GP was useless - you were in and out in a couple of minutes. I was going through hell with IBS and he was so unhelpful and dismissive and didn't offer any advice. I got a new GP when I moved and couldn't believe how much better he was. He suggested all sorts of drugs to help with the symptoms and said that he could refer me to the hospital if that didn't help.

YABU.

My dh is GP.

A bloody good one (has spent today organising end-of-life care for patients.

Gps can be good.

Don't tar them all with the same brush!

YABU.

It sounds like you've never had to have repeat visits with your GP regarding a particular health concern, and it also sounds like you haven't had that much seriously wrong with you (correct me if I'm wrong)

I had a similar view to you until I really needed my GP, and then they were truly excellent.

There will always be a small number of people in any profession that drag the rest down (nursing is a good example here - the VAST majority of nurses are saints - you only need a few lazy feckwits to bring the side down)

our gp is fabulous and thorough but sometimes we get another gp or the locum and they are often hopeless. so like anything really - there's the good and the bad - the key is to making sure you're with the 'good' GP not the rubbish ones who make up random crap or miss serious illnesses - plus check it all out yourself on google of course

I've been enrolled at five different surgeries since turning 18, all in different areas of the country. I must have seen at least ten GPs and have never had the feeling with any of them that they're going through the motions or that I'm being fobbed off- except with one locum who was quite young (whether that's got anything to do with it or not I don't know) who kept suggesting lavendar pillows for a long-existing severe insomnia issue.

So, YABU. Maybe I've just been very lucky and maybe you've been very unlucky.

YABU.

There are plenty of lovely gps out there. All six of my practice gps,have never been anything other than caring, considerate and very helpful when I've seen them.

My mother developed epilepsy,well last year, and her neurologist hasn't been terribly helpful but the gps in our shared practice have been wonderful.

They've done everything they could to help her, from making home visits when her illness debilitated her so badly that she was unable to leave the house, to arranging hospital appointments for her immediately,to showing genuine concern about her welfare, and to dealing with her expertly and promptly when she had a seizure in the waiting area.

Of course there are bad gps out there, and I have encountered a few but you really can't generalise about them.

In my experience people take children to GPs far too much and don't use common sense. Its not uncommon for parents to take children to the GP mon, wed, fri and STILL ring up on a weekend for an emergency appointment. Its true! Also a mum demanding an emergency appt. for a child who was on the mend - no temp/vomiting etc. I did ask WHY - answer - 'I want her checked' - checked for what? she was fine . 3 hours of D&V but drinking and NOT dehydrated - taken to A&E . I could go on and on and on.

Dont people understand if they just used common sense, the people who really did need to see their GP would get appropriate appointments. Sorry to go on but why are some parents so helpless? Totally agree with people treating minor ailments via chemist.

PS. Don't jump on me, I'm talking about minor illness, not things that are causing serious concerns.

YABU and ridiculous, if you have a point, an anecdote, an experience, evidence, please share, otherwise your OP is stupid, ridiculous, nasty and bizarre

I am a GP, I work part time because I am a single parent to 2 small children after the end of my abusive marriage, I am skint no holidays here for a good long while, I take my ANNUAL LEAVE mostly when my CM is on holiday to look after my children!
It is pretty difficult to get an appointment with me for that reason, but you can see another doctor the same day any day!

I dont fob people off, but I do spend a large amount of my time reassuring the worried well/minor ailments/life stressors etc, is that what you mean OP, would you like me to wave my magic wand and fix your life
NO Gp's I know purposefully miss a cancer diagnosis (and most of us are gutted and horrified if we do), but some cancers are slow growing, hidden and difficult to diagnose!

You are absolutely right OP. I changed GP surgery here in London because our GP was so bad. The new one is better but: it's really hard to get an appointment, they shove you out after a few minutes even if you hardly ever go, they are increasingly keen to diagnose you on the phone instead of face to face, and they have really terrible opening hours if you work (no home visits either).

No one I think would suggest that a GP would purposely miss anything but it does happen when too many people generalise about patients coming in over minor ailments. This thread is upsetting me so I will leave you to it, I have bad health anxiety and am pretty phobic of going to the Dr (the opposite of what many of you complain about).

And before you crucify me I know there are some great Drs out there, of course there are. I think the system is at falt more than the individual. I just wish members of my family had seen the good GPs.

I think YABU - its an enormous generalisation. I've never felt fobbed off by my GP. I have a serious illness, and when I was diagnosed he phoned me to talk things through, said I could phone him, and he would always fit me on the end of his list if I needed him. The other Gp's in the practice have all been fantastic as well.

Your criticism is very vague, as are those of others. If you have a specific complaint against a GP, then use the complaints procedure. I appreciate I have possibly been lucky, but the GP's at my surgery are all kind, caring professionals.

OK. If they are so marvellous and caring why don't they do home visits, why are they only open 9.30 to 5.30 and closed for lunch, and why can't you get an appointment for weeks? I phoned today to see a doctor (first visit for over 2 years and no I don't have a cold or a headache) and was offered 5th April as the only available appointment. How can that be right?