Abused by my GP- and left reeling and feeling confused

[Iwaswondering1]

I went to my GP because I was being abused by my husband and would be covered in bruises and I had confided in him before. This time the doctor was very angry and I don't really know why and he was abrupt. So I just showed him my bruises and he recorded it in my notes. I got the feeling that I should not have bothered him.
I was on my period and in pain as I stood up I had a spasm, so I told him and he just stared at me and said that ''I am always making him do things he does not want to do and he will have to examine me.'' I told him he could not examine me as I was on my period, he did not listen to me and asked me to take my underwear off and then told me to sort myself out, it was not an internal but I felt violated. When I asked why he had to examine me he said it was to exclude acute appendicitis. I think he just did it because he could and not because he needed to, I later found out he had not recorded the exam in my notes.
It took me years to report him to the GMC but he just told them a pack of lies and often wonder if he will do it to another woman. I thought he was a kind man but now I think he took advantage of my vulnerability.
Has this happen to anyone else?

[timelytess]

Not the sexual abuse. But my GP is very angry and shouts at me. I'd change GPs but I'm waiting for tests and counselling to come through and I don't want to lose those.

[Iwaswondering1]

Dear timelytess,
that sounds like abuse, I would say make a compliant but I am not sure how far you will get as doctors and the practice tend to stick together.

[pocketsaviour]

Iwas I'm so sorry this happened to you and that the GMC didn't take action. The bastard should have been struck off

Tess, is it possible for you to change to another GP at the same surgery? That would mean any test results and waiting lists would not be compromised. Your GP sounds awful :(

[Iwaswondering1]

Thanks for your message of support I think he is a bastard and the GMC are pen pushers.

[timelytess]

Thanks people. He's the best of a bad job, I'm afraid!

[goddessofsmallthings]

There are many doctors who should be struck off, but the GMC look after their own and have managed to thwart numerous attempts to stop the medical profession policing itself.

Well done for reporting him, OP. While it may seem as if he got away scot free, he has at least had his card marked to the effect that not all of his patients are acquiescent sheep and that he needs to get his act together if he wants to avoid further complaints patients.

@timelyless Have a word with the Practice Manager and make it clear that any further verbal abuse from the GP in question will result in a complaint to your regional health authority.

Abuse of power occurs in all walks of life and it will continue unless victims name and shame those who take advantage of their relatively exalted positions to prey on the vulnerable.

[Iwaswondering1]

I am really disgusted about how the Practice protected him and the GMC are not really fit-for-purpose. It will never be a level playing field, all patient's are vulnerable and we are all vulnerable at some time in our lives.

I did not want to be ''touched up '' when I went to see my GP......at the very least the GMC now know about him...he never once said sorry except in front of the GMC and really how can that count?

thanks goddess, for your support

[goddessofsmallthings]

Driving offences excluded, it's no secret that the GMC has sanctioned convicted criminals staying on the Register when they would have been automatically disbarred from continuing their careers in other professions, and many who have been imprisoned for committing extremely serious crimes have been reinstated after serving their time.

Mortality rates for the UK can make alarming reading as medics are not the infallible gods some appear to believe and 'death by doctor' should be the cause recorded on many death certificates.

That's my rant for the day, OP! As I've said, well done you for having the courage to take on the practice and the GMC which can, in itself, be a nightmare of Kafka-esque proportions for the blameless victims of doctors who take advantage of patients when they are at their most vulnerable.

As for the doctor in question, I very much doubt that his abusive manner ceased when he went home.

[Iwaswondering1]

Highly amused about your comment of ''death by doctor'', but in a sense of disbelief.....but unfortunately it is true because I have seen it happen.

As always thanks for your support......because it helps and what I am saying it the truth.

[Obs2016]

I had a GP who made a big mistake and said something that was quite shocking. Complained. She said she "didn't recall". She left. But what she did and said is recorded in my records and came back to haunt me. And I have no say or response.
The complaint was pointless. They all watch each others backs. People don't realise how vulnerable and powerless they are and that complaints are often fruitless.

[offside]

So sorry to hear about your experience Iwas.

Could you point me in the direction of where your information is from Goddess, I'd like to read it.

[Justaboy]

No not all GP's are the same. I had a real incompetent one who almost killed me shouldn't have been practising, but for many years now I've had an excellent lady GP to whom I am the most important patient, least that's how she makes me and her other patients feel about themselves. Only complaint is that her appointments, well are a best estimate of time, reason being is that she will give you all the time you need but that's fine by me to wait my turn:-)