AIBU to expect medical advice from a GP surgery?

[redwineformethanks]

I went to the GP surgery for travel injections. The nurse gave me details of a website to check at home and told me to come back once I decided what I needed. I had expected the GP surgery would check my records to see exactly which injections I'd had previously, so they could check what I should have now

[Cockwomble]

YABU.

You would also be U if you expect an appointment at any time or a nice receptionist.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

They'll be able to check what you've had after you tell them what you need. Eg, you need typhoid immunisation to enter country X, ah, yes, you had that last year so no need to do again, or, ah, yes, I see you've never had that, so we'll do it now.

[redwineformethanks]

I told them where I was going. She did (slightly reluctantly, with a bit of huffing and puffing) check my records to see what I'd already had. What surprised me was that she didn't seem to think it was her job to check what injections you need to enter certain countries.

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

I don't think it is her job.

[Cockwomble]

It's a funny one. I'd've expected them to know at the GP's surgery, or have a big book with countries and lists of required injections in it.

[Alargeglassofred]

Wait until you see how much they'll charge you for the injections!! If the practice nurse hasn't got a qualification in travel immunisation then she probably can't help, but someone at the surgery shouldbe able to advise. So I think YANBU

[benniesmum]

Gps are not paid to provide travel-related advice. It is not in their contract. So some have nothing to do with it bu point you in the right direction. Others will charg you handsomely for what is a private service.

[AnyoneforTurps]

Providing travel advice is not an NHS service and practices don't have to offer them or travel immunisations. Having said that, anyone being given an immunisation (whether paying for it or not) should be properly counselled and I don't see how you can do that without checking whether they have already had the immunisation and whether they need it. So YANBU on that account.

The problem for practices is that travel clinics take up a lot of time, have an enormous Did Not Attend rate (as many as 50% are missed in my practice, despite text reminders - it wastes hundreds of appointments) and reduce availability of other appointments. So you are likely to see more and more practices opting out of doing them.

[ChunkyMonkeyMother]

We have to fill in a form 10 days before saying where we are going and for how long - you have to be very specific and if you don't fill in the form or fill it in wrong then they won't do it but if it's filled in correctly they do give good advise (for example our nurse told us where to get bargain anti-mallarial tablets and which type of insect repellent to use)

But it's not something they can do on the spot as it would tAke too long id imagine

[Mayisout]

I think you have to pay. You are choosing to go abroad. If you are going abroad due to work then your employer pays.

[JoanOfNark]

Why should they tell you what you have had? Shouldn't you know what you've had? And be able to read the travel advisory for where you're going?

[Cockwomble]

I would have thought doctors would have a record of your vaccinations joan

[Cockwomble]

I would have thought doctors would have a record of your vaccinations joan

[Sirzy]

Why should a doctors surgery who is already over stretched research for you what you need to go on holiday?

[AnyoneforTurps]

Perfectly reasonable to ask your practice for a list of your immunisations & dates, whether they offer travel jabs or not. In most practices, the receptionists will be able to sort this for you.

[JoanOfNark]

I would have thought you had a record of your vaccinations, but maybe I'm expecting too much.

[Cockwomble]

I didn't realise I was suppose to know my medical records inside out!

[Cockwomble]

I didn't realise I was suppose to know my medical records inside out!

[OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos]

Many surgeries charge for travel advice, it is not the job of the NHS to make you you are safe when you leave the country.

If you were charged, YANBU.

If you were getting this service free,then YABVU.

[MarySA]

I wouldn't have thought it was their job to check what injections you needed for certain countries. And in any case that would take time and if they did keep the printed regulations they might change. And then it would mean keeping them up to date. It's OK if you've forgotten which injections you've had or exactly when you had them.

[Doha]

You have to take some responsibility for your own health. Most travel vaccinations are only recommended and not compulsory therefore wheither you get them or not is up to you. I would think that the nurse sent you to read up on what was advised and then let her know which ones you wanted (might be wrong tho). What has to be remembered because it is not always an NHS service what vacciantions you already have had may NOT be in your records if you got them elsewhere ie a private clinic.
It is for that reason you should be keeping a record of what you got and when you got it for future reference

[jubileejulie]

different countries need different vaccinations, its not up to the doctor to act as a travel agent

what if you were going to 20 different countries, would you expect him to check each one . why cant you do it, its easy enough from the foreign office website. hope he charges for it as well

[travailtotravel]

I think YANBU. I also think its not outrageous to expect a bit of service related to travel from the NHS. If we don't do anything about it before we go away, they'll end up with a big bill to sort the problem out when we get back if we get ill.