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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this health test is pointless for me³

41 replies

Muchtodoaboutnothing · 25/03/2025 11:53

I have been invited to my GP surgery for a health check with the practice nurse, for patients with long term health conditions such as Heart Disease, COPD, Asthma, Stroke, Kidney Disease, Epilepsy, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Mental Health problems.

My condition is epilepsy. I am however still under a hospital consultant and have regular reviews with them.
I am fit, within my bmi and healthy. I know my height and weight, blood pressure. I don't have cholesterol issues, and have a healthy blood sugar level. It seems to be a generic appointment, and apparently it is a new system.
AIBU not to attend?

OP posts:
Original poster
Muchtodoaboutnothing · 25/03/2025 12:18

Greybeardy · 25/03/2025 12:15

it will be an invitation partly because they do get incentives for completing this sort of thing, but partly because epilepsy can increase risk for some things (esp cardiovascular risk). It's entirely up to you whether you go - just politely decline if you don't want it and there's no drama.

Thank you, that is good to know. I would more likely go if they were doing an ECG, which I have ironically never been offered a referral for. Blood pressure is healthy.

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 25/03/2025 12:15

it will be an invitation partly because they do get incentives for completing this sort of thing, but partly because epilepsy can increase risk for some things (esp cardiovascular risk). It's entirely up to you whether you go - just politely decline if you don't want it and there's no drama.

Original poster
Muchtodoaboutnothing · 25/03/2025 12:15

PressureMakesDiamonds · 25/03/2025 12:10

As you are monitored by a consultant, yes it sounds pointless. You are not obliged to attend, just decline. No need to make it into a big deal.

Thank you, yes I am under the hospital consultant and hospital epilepsy nursing team. The gp knows nothing about epilepsy, and actually misdiagnosed me in the first place. The appt is with the practice nurse; it sounds like an MOT, which I don't need. I can really understand all of the other conditions on the list, but not mine. It seems like a complete waste of resources, at a time the nhs is inundated.

OP posts:
Original poster
Muchtodoaboutnothing · 25/03/2025 12:12

DustyLee123 · 25/03/2025 12:07

I’m fairly sure GP’s get money for doing them, but just say no if you don’t want it.

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense. I don't qualify for flu jabs etc, yet they're inviting me for this. They have my height, weight and BMI on my record, and all updates from my hospital appointments on how I am doing with epilepsy which covers mental health etc. It seems maybe a generic letter. I think it is a waste of GP resources in my case.

OP posts:
PressureMakesDiamonds · 25/03/2025 12:10

As you are monitored by a consultant, yes it sounds pointless. You are not obliged to attend, just decline. No need to make it into a big deal.

Original poster
Muchtodoaboutnothing · 25/03/2025 12:09

Baninarama · 25/03/2025 12:02

Hospitals don't generally share data with GPs so you should attend so they have the latest data on you.

The hospital write to my surgery with an update from every appointment. All of the letters are attached to my gp record.

I was thinking I won't attend this year, and go next year should I be in a situation where I haven't been tested for awhile. I don't really know what epilepsy would put me at risk of when I'm physically very fit. Dh is overweight, shouldn't he be invited? It just seems wrong to have my condition on this list.

OP posts:
Tagyoureit · 25/03/2025 12:09

Muchtodoaboutnothing · 25/03/2025 12:06

I have had so many tests for a good few months now, cannot face another one, especially when it is repeating what I have had done multiple times.

Show quote history

Then you need to speak to the GP and ask why they want to do more tests.

DustyLee123 · 25/03/2025 12:07

I’m fairly sure GP’s get money for doing them, but just say no if you don’t want it.

Moier · 25/03/2025 12:06

Blood tests.
I go every year and only have one condition but it's worth going to see if any new problems.. such as kidney disease etc .

Original poster
Muchtodoaboutnothing · 25/03/2025 12:06

Tagyoureit · 25/03/2025 12:01

I can't see the harm in having them done.

I have had so many tests for a good few months now, cannot face another one, especially when it is repeating what I have had done multiple times.

OP posts:
RuthW · 25/03/2025 12:03

We are obliged to offer them. You can decline if you don’t want one.

Baninarama · 25/03/2025 12:02

Hospitals don't generally share data with GPs so you should attend so they have the latest data on you.

Tagyoureit · 25/03/2025 12:01

I can't see the harm in having them done.

bridgetreilly · 25/03/2025 12:01

Is there something else they test for that I haven't mentioned?

We don’t know. Talk to them and ask why you have been invited.

Original poster
Muchtodoaboutnothing · 25/03/2025 11:58

bridgetreilly · 25/03/2025 11:55

Phone and talk to them. We can’t possibly know.

What is it we cannot know? Is there something else they test for that I haven't mentioned?

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 25/03/2025 11:55

Phone and talk to them. We can’t possibly know.