Have had quite a few health issues after giving birth, lots of infections, problems with c-section wound not healing to name but a few. Have always been very reluctant to go to the doctors and would rather suffer for a few weeks and hope things improve rather than pay a visit to GP.
However, since giving birth and being in quite a bit of pain have had no choice but to pluck up courage and go and see a GP. First GP I saw spoke very poor English and seemed to have no idea what I was talking about when I plucked up courage to mention urine infections after giving birth. Left doctor's feeling upset and worried that the prescription he gave me was actually the right drugs. A couple of weeks later, still with raging infection, plucked up courage to see a different GP. Again, their English was quite poor and they didn't seem to understand what I was saying. Ended up again, leaving the surgery in tears.
Well, yesterday I had to go again with another fanjo problem. I've been putting off going for a while precisely because I was worried about the language problems, but was optimistic that maybe I'd been unlucky and this time would get someone who could actually understand what I was saying. However, yet again it turned into a nightmare as soon as I walked into the doctors room. Explained to her in detail the problem, she looked confused. Eventually she said she'd have to examine me I said fine. She then said she'd need a chaperone for me while she examined me. I explained, that this wasn't necessary, I was happy for her to examine me and in the past I'd only even had a chaperone if being examined by a male doctor. She didn't seem to understand. What followed was a farce. She left the door to her office open so everyone sitting in reception could see me sitting there while she tried to find a nurse. When it turned out there was no nurse, she dragged a woman off reception to sit in... After examining me she said she would refer me but didn't know what sort of doctor to refer me to. I said maybe a gynae? She looked confused, consulted a book and said to go away and she would get in touch with me. I mentioned about the choose and book service which I'd heard was used in the surgery so that I could try and arrange an appointment while I was there as I'm really worried about fanjo etc. She didn't understand what I was saying, repeated this several times butby this time I'd lost the will to carry on. Left doctor's again feeling mortified. I am so sick of not being able to see a doctor who speaks good English. I don't care if I'm treated by a martian or an alien from outer space the only thing I do care about is being able to be understood when I'm talking about potentially embarrassing and delicate health issues. I think I will have to change doctor's surgerys because the stress of going to the doctors is becoming a nightmare. I'm debating whether to write to practice manager and complain about the lack of English all their doctors have. Surely, it should be a basic skill for all doctors, a good command of English?
Please or to access all these features
Please
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AIBU?
to expect my doctor to be able to speak and understand English to a reasonable level?
41 replies
feelingvfedup · 30/12/2008 17:06
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