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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this nurse was unprofessional?

383 replies

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 17:06

So I went for an appointment at my GP surgery to try and verify the accuracy of two home blood pressure monitors we have in our house. The two monitors give virtually identical readings to each other for everyone in our family - but for my sister one reads 10 - 15 points lower than the other on thr systolic number.

During the appointment, my sister attempted to explain the situation and that she wanted to compare both machines against a manual reading. The nurse immediately told her to "just bin" one of the machines without any attempt to even compare it

The nurse then proceeded to only check one of the machines (the one that reads lower). When the machine displayed a reading of 150/100, she then performed a "manual check" and literally immediately stated "yeah 150/100". Might be just me, but this rapid confirmation seems like the nurse was simply just re-stating the reading she had seen on the machines screen (literally told me her reading was the exact same number) rather than conducting a genuine, independent manual verification. Her pre-judgement of which machine was correct was evident from the beginning, as she refused to consider checking the second machine, despite my clear explanation of the discrepancy of both machines for me, but identical readings for the rest of the family

As a result, I was left in the exact same position I was in before the appointment. I actually suffer from anxiety and came back in tears at how sharp and unhelpful she had been, and because it seemed she had made her mind up there and then she was only checking one machine and that was the correct one (despite them giving the same readings for everyone else), i don't trust what she told me at all

OP posts:
TheOriginalEmu · 20/06/2025 02:56

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 17:31

Entertained me? Do you not think if a machine is reading at the level where the NHS website advises its extremely high and to contact your local surgery its important to actually get checked?

I was at a chiropractor appointment once where my BP was a similar number and she insisted I go to a&e after the session. I felt ridiculous but they said I was right to come and there was an issue that needed sorting.
it’s not a waste!

ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 02:22

snackatack · 20/06/2025 01:42

Are the machines different makes?

Perhaps the nurse has lots of experience of a certain brand being superior.

I read all your posts - I'd not have gone to the GP I'd have tried a pharmacist first,

If the nurse - measured your blood pressure then used your machine and they were the same (which I think is what happened) then there is no need to check the second.

If you are that worried- use one machine - and track the blood pressure - and every time you are checked by the GP - compare the monitor with their calibrated version.

Using two different monitors is just confusing and stressful. I don't understand why you have two.

Hey :) bit worried at replying with some of the nasty comments telling me not to, but wanted to try and reply to everyone

Both machines are clinically validated, but yes different makes

The reason I'm not filled with confidence is her straight away telling me to bin one before she had even checked either machine against her manual. She seemed to make her mind up from the start which she was checking and which she wasnt and just have that doubt that because of that she maybe just told me the exact same reading as the one she chose showed... not sure if that makes sense? Tried my best to explain

The fact ones reading so much higher and one so much lower, makes me worry about either being on too much medication or not enough. Just going to have to pick one and hope its right, but just worry if it really is low and they are treating high then going to be knocked even lower and vice versa

OP posts:
snackatack · 20/06/2025 01:42

Are the machines different makes?

Perhaps the nurse has lots of experience of a certain brand being superior.

I read all your posts - I'd not have gone to the GP I'd have tried a pharmacist first,

If the nurse - measured your blood pressure then used your machine and they were the same (which I think is what happened) then there is no need to check the second.

If you are that worried- use one machine - and track the blood pressure - and every time you are checked by the GP - compare the monitor with their calibrated version.

Using two different monitors is just confusing and stressful. I don't understand why you have two.

RawBloomers · 20/06/2025 01:39

Flashahah · 19/06/2025 18:12

There is another thread running with OP complaining about receptionists triaging, one poster said people were sensible enough to be able to know if they needed a doctor, pharmacist, nurse etc.

Clearly not, judging by this!

It was the receptionist who decided SiL needed the appointment with the nurse.

ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 00:28

Flashahah · 20/06/2025 00:27

nite nite

Finally you and your nasty comments are leaving! Thank you!

OP posts:
ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 00:28

Flashahah · 20/06/2025 00:20

Over 100 posts now! Honestly, let it go!

I'm actually replying to other people who are being nice and not making nasty comments like yourself

OP posts:
Flashahah · 20/06/2025 00:27

ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 00:26

It was a horrible comment to make though , saying that they gave an appointment just to make someone feel uncomfortable. As if any surgery would ever do that, daft comment take tbh

nite nite

ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 00:26

Flashahah · 20/06/2025 00:19

Oh give over!!

AIBU is not the place for you!

It was a horrible comment to make though , saying that they gave an appointment just to make someone feel uncomfortable. As if any surgery would ever do that, daft comment take tbh

OP posts:
Flashahah · 20/06/2025 00:20

ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 00:00

Just replying to your nasty comment above, they gave me an appointment to make me feel uncomfortable. Literally how can you make such an unkind comment?

Over 100 posts now! Honestly, let it go!

Flashahah · 20/06/2025 00:19

ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 00:00

Just replying to your nasty comment above, they gave me an appointment to make me feel uncomfortable. Literally how can you make such an unkind comment?

Oh give over!!

AIBU is not the place for you!

ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 00:17

spicemaiden · 20/06/2025 00:09

Ok, so…the GP wants 7 days of readings yes?

Give both sets instead of just stalling because you don’t know whoch is yhd accurate machine.

Hey :)

Could actually do that to be fair - only thing is I have to do 2 in a morning and 2 at night.

Couldn't put both machines readings on the one from. So might mean me photocopying it and doing 4 in a morning and 4 at night so that both machines readings are separate - might be too much haha. But that is something I could actually do :)

Thank you for the nice comment too x

OP posts:
spicemaiden · 20/06/2025 00:09

Ok, so…the GP wants 7 days of readings yes?

Give both sets instead of just stalling because you don’t know whoch is yhd accurate machine.

ThisCoolOP · 20/06/2025 00:00

Flashahah · 19/06/2025 23:58

100 posts since 5pm! Don’t take your BP now!

Honestly, let it go!

Just replying to your nasty comment above, they gave me an appointment to make me feel uncomfortable. Literally how can you make such an unkind comment?

OP posts:
ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 23:59

Flashahah · 19/06/2025 23:57

What were you asking for then? Then to fix your machine first your sister via telepathy? They gave you the nurse most likely to make you feel
uncomfortable about the request.

They gave you an appointment and told you your BP, job done.

92% of voters say YABU, it’s pretty conclusive!

Have you literally heard how horrible and nasty you sound :( they gave me an appointment to make me feel uncomfortable, literally no surgery would ever give someone an appointment just to make them feel uncomfortable. What a horrible and nasty comment!

OP posts:
Flashahah · 19/06/2025 23:58

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 23:55

Another person enjoying the pile on? Honestly, I'm not writing rubbish at all. As proved by the nice few in the thread who have totally understood! And the nice few who have checked in due to all the nasty comments to make sure i am okay

100 posts since 5pm! Don’t take your BP now!

Honestly, let it go!

Flashahah · 19/06/2025 23:57

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 23:34

Give someone an appointment to show someone they are time wasting? As if they are going to give away an appointment slot to "show me i am time wasting".... I'm being bashed for being ridiculous, that's even more ridiculous for you to say than anything I've said 😂

Whoever booked the appointment after reading my portal message didn't find my asking for advice on so unreasonable did they? As yes, despite others I know who won't see her, there will be others that need an appointment that they could have given it to. Honestly you're going on like i asked for them to book an appointment..... I didn't!

Edited

What were you asking for then? Then to fix your machine first your sister via telepathy? They gave you the nurse most likely to make you feel
uncomfortable about the request.

They gave you an appointment and told you your BP, job done.

92% of voters say YABU, it’s pretty conclusive!

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 23:55

Theroadt · 19/06/2025 23:51

OP is writing screeds and screeds of rubbish on this thread. I’m sorry - I have high bp just measure, if high get to see a doctor. But no, let’s go on and on and on about testing two machines and a sister (of one machine & two sisters? I lost the plot…)

Another person enjoying the pile on? Honestly, I'm not writing rubbish at all. As proved by the nice few in the thread who have totally understood! And the nice few who have checked in due to all the nasty comments to make sure i am okay

OP posts:
Theroadt · 19/06/2025 23:51

OP is writing screeds and screeds of rubbish on this thread. I’m sorry - I have high bp just measure, if high get to see a doctor. But no, let’s go on and on and on about testing two machines and a sister (of one machine & two sisters? I lost the plot…)

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 23:50

Theroadt · 19/06/2025 23:46

No wonder it takes ages to see anyone at a surgery with such silly complaints - and I have high blood pressure too!

It wasnt a silly complaint - honestly! Asked for advice which as a patient you're perfectly entitled to do. I didn't phone for an appointment as I wouldnt take an urgent slot from someone else on purpose! The surgery were perfectly within their rights to come back and say they couldn't help, but clearly whoever triaged the portal message felt they could and it was them who said to bring both machines in! Was only doing what I had been asked to do! Please don't tar me as being at fault for you or whoever else not being able to get an appointment. Wasn't like I phoned to request an urgent appointment

OP posts:
Theroadt · 19/06/2025 23:46

screwyou · 19/06/2025 17:14

I am only shocked a Nurse would waste her time with you under these circumstances and I am a Nurse.

No wonder it takes ages to see anyone at a surgery with such silly complaints - and I have high blood pressure too!

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 23:34

Flashahah · 19/06/2025 23:25

Adding in the bit about “others in the area having problems with her”

Now saying people won’t see her.

Perhaps you were given an appointment with her, because they wanted you to understand you were time wasting?

Give someone an appointment to show someone they are time wasting? As if they are going to give away an appointment slot to "show me i am time wasting".... I'm being bashed for being ridiculous, that's even more ridiculous for you to say than anything I've said 😂

Whoever booked the appointment after reading my portal message didn't find my asking for advice on so unreasonable did they? As yes, despite others I know who won't see her, there will be others that need an appointment that they could have given it to. Honestly you're going on like i asked for them to book an appointment..... I didn't!

OP posts:
Flashahah · 19/06/2025 23:25

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 23:04

You'll keep drip feeding stuff until I say I am not being unreasonable? Sorry, don't understand?

Edited

Adding in the bit about “others in the area having problems with her”

Now saying people won’t see her.

Perhaps you were given an appointment with her, because they wanted you to understand you were time wasting?

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 23:18

Baggingarea · 19/06/2025 23:16

Op some of the commenters - who clearly have some skin in healthcare - should be ashamed at the way they are posting.

You can disagree and get your point across without monstering a poor woman with already high blood pressure.

Thank you, your comment means a lot to me. Some of the comments have been upsetting to read, but had some lovely people who have messaged to make sure I'm okay and appreciate every one of those messages x

OP posts:
Baggingarea · 19/06/2025 23:16

Op some of the commenters - who clearly have some skin in healthcare - should be ashamed at the way they are posting.

You can disagree and get your point across without monstering a poor woman with already high blood pressure.

BusyExpert · 19/06/2025 23:08

Rhinohides · 19/06/2025 21:44

You were lucky she considered your no machine at all.
As a nurse I won’t get involved with home no kits, just tell folks I can only use the ones verified by my employer.
And yes, as previous people have said, BP varies from moment moment. This would be the case if you were concerned about 1 reading it would potentially be visible in the next.

frankly that is rubbish. Talk about being a jobsworth.