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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:
Greybeardy · 19/06/2025 20:05

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:52

Thats the issue, you can't compare 1 reading taken in the surgery to readings taken at home. Yes the one in the surgery was high... and would match the one giving very high readings at home. But the surgery reading may only have been high due to whitecoat hypertension if that makes sense? Some people get whitecoat hypertension where BP shoots up in medical setting. It might actually be normal at home

op you're really not getting it are you? It doesn't matter what the numbers were today....what matters is that the machine she checked gave the same numbers as hers (both machines will have picked up a higher BP because you probably have a white coat element to your numbers). What it means though is that your machine should also be giving useful readings at home and if you took her machine home its readings would be the same as your home machines readings at home. Just throw the other machine away. BP measuring isn't that precise a science... you really are overthinking it!

BrightLightTonight · 19/06/2025 20:05

Surely, if you have two machines that are showing vastly different readings, you would bin them both and buy a new machine for less than £35 saving the underfunded NHS a ridiculous & expensive appointment.
YABVU

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 20:04

wordler · 19/06/2025 20:01

But also if she tested manually and then tested one of the machines and it was the same then you know that one is the one that's the most accurate. She didn't need to test the second one.

If she'd tested one and it was wildly out then she would have suggested trying the second one.

Your OP sounds as though you don't believe that she actually did her manual test properly because you find it suspicious that it was the same reading she got with your machine.

I can't imagine a nurse would fake a blood pressure reading, so whichever of the two machines she did check is obviously the more accurate, so just keep using that one from now on.

If she had agreed to test both and then tested the first and found it was correct, fine

But the way she straight away told us to "just bin" that one without first checking which was correct - she had made her mind up from the start

OP posts:
ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 20:03

FlangelinaJolie · 19/06/2025 20:00

Yes this!!!! What a waste of time !

Again.......
We did not request the appointment ourselves!!!!!! Didn't phone up and ask for appointment and neither did we ask for one online either. Messaged asking for advice with one giving very high readings and one low, a healthcare assistant triaged and then booked the appointment and told us to take both machines in!

OP posts:
wordler · 19/06/2025 20:01

But also if she tested manually and then tested one of the machines and it was the same then you know that one is the one that's the most accurate. She didn't need to test the second one.

If she'd tested one and it was wildly out then she would have suggested trying the second one.

Your OP sounds as though you don't believe that she actually did her manual test properly because you find it suspicious that it was the same reading she got with your machine.

I can't imagine a nurse would fake a blood pressure reading, so whichever of the two machines she did check is obviously the more accurate, so just keep using that one from now on.

Lovemycat2023 · 19/06/2025 20:01

It is very confusing, and not logical. The thing is I’m not sure how the nurse would fix the problem. Did she do a reading on her own machine? Surely that would tell you which was accurate? I am confused.

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 20:00

Flamingoknees · 19/06/2025 19:57

It was the nurses job to check your BP with the surgery's machine. She should not get involved in "checking machines" or using patient's own machines.
Your sister should not of been involved in your appointment.
My best advice to you, is to stop checking your own and everyone elses BP. Have it checked by the nurse or GP at agreed intervals or if feeling unwell,or with a machine supplied by the GP, if they ever request regular home recordings for a week. This will avoid regular checks, with various machines, feeding your anxiety.

Also our surgery are short on machines due to people not returning them

OP posts:
FlangelinaJolie · 19/06/2025 20:00

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.

Yes this!!!! What a waste of time !

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:59

Flamingoknees · 19/06/2025 19:57

It was the nurses job to check your BP with the surgery's machine. She should not get involved in "checking machines" or using patient's own machines.
Your sister should not of been involved in your appointment.
My best advice to you, is to stop checking your own and everyone elses BP. Have it checked by the nurse or GP at agreed intervals or if feeling unwell,or with a machine supplied by the GP, if they ever request regular home recordings for a week. This will avoid regular checks, with various machines, feeding your anxiety.

Actually as others have pointed out, some surgeries now encourage using your own machine and are happy to check so not that unreasonable

OP posts:
ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:58

Anyone about to close this thread now as some comments in here are actually very harsh. And as others have pointed out, their GP Surgeries have done exactly the same thing with testing machines

OP posts:
Flamingoknees · 19/06/2025 19:57

It was the nurses job to check your BP with the surgery's machine. She should not get involved in "checking machines" or using patient's own machines.
Your sister should not of been involved in your appointment.
My best advice to you, is to stop checking your own and everyone elses BP. Have it checked by the nurse or GP at agreed intervals or if feeling unwell,or with a machine supplied by the GP, if they ever request regular home recordings for a week. This will avoid regular checks, with various machines, feeding your anxiety.

Firefly1987 · 19/06/2025 19:56

If you read reviews of blood pressure machines on Amazon lots of people have done this because they're getting completely different readings. It all depends on how well they're calibrated etc. a few people even went to A&E because their machine told them they were about to drop dead! So you are not being U at all OP. Some of these machines really cause unnecessary worry.

Tell you something that is outrageous-my mum who is on meds took her blood pressure at the doctors surgery, it was ridiculously low. We worried all night about it, thought she could pass out any minute. Next day she goes in and tells reception and they say "Oh yeah the BP machine is on the blink" 🙄! No note to say it's giving completely wrong readings or anything, shocking.

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:56

TimeForATerf · 19/06/2025 19:55

The way you talk, suggests that you know far more than the experts so maybe look in the mirror?

It does not at all, honestly some comments on here are so harsh

OP posts:
Mymanyellow · 19/06/2025 19:55

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:52

Thats the issue, you can't compare 1 reading taken in the surgery to readings taken at home. Yes the one in the surgery was high... and would match the one giving very high readings at home. But the surgery reading may only have been high due to whitecoat hypertension if that makes sense? Some people get whitecoat hypertension where BP shoots up in medical setting. It might actually be normal at home

So what’s the point in keep taking the frigging thing then? Start again, use one machine go from there.

TimeForATerf · 19/06/2025 19:55

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:54

Where did i ever bring my own medical experience into it?

The way you talk, suggests that you know far more than the experts so maybe look in the mirror?

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:54

TimeForATerf · 19/06/2025 19:52

What did Dr Google say? Complain to PALS that your medical knowledge is greater than the trained staff at your surgery and raise holy hell, I would 🙄

or maybe, take a deep breath, say you’re worried and let the PROFESSIONALS do their job, instead of telling them what they should be doing?.

can you confirm if your medical experience and training is beyond that that can be found on’t inter web?

Where did i ever bring my own medical experience into it?

OP posts:
ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:53

MrTiddlesTheCat · 19/06/2025 19:48

Seeing the nurse to have your blood pressure checked following a high home reading is the right thing to do.

Expecting the nurse to check your machines to work out which one is most accurate is ridiculous and a complete waste of NHS resources.

Again..... if it was that ridiculous the healthcare assistant who triaged our message and then booked the appointment saying to being both machines in would not have done that!

OP posts:
TimeForATerf · 19/06/2025 19:52

What did Dr Google say? Complain to PALS that your medical knowledge is greater than the trained staff at your surgery and raise holy hell, I would 🙄

or maybe, take a deep breath, say you’re worried and let the PROFESSIONALS do their job, instead of telling them what they should be doing?.

can you confirm if your medical experience and training is beyond that that can be found on’t inter web?

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:52

Mymanyellow · 19/06/2025 19:48

Ok but was it the same or similar to the one you use at home?

Thats the issue, you can't compare 1 reading taken in the surgery to readings taken at home. Yes the one in the surgery was high... and would match the one giving very high readings at home. But the surgery reading may only have been high due to whitecoat hypertension if that makes sense? Some people get whitecoat hypertension where BP shoots up in medical setting. It might actually be normal at home

OP posts:
ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:49

Endofyear · 19/06/2025 19:46

I'm baffled that you think it's within the remit of the NHS to perform checks to verify your own blood pressure equipment is working correctly! Surely if you are getting unusual readings, you can go to a pharmacy and check your blood pressure there? I'm not surprised the nurse was snippy and irritated. I'm surprised she didn't tell you to stop wasting her time!

Again......... it was not us who requested the appointment. We didnt phone and book it ourselves, we didnt even book it ourselves online!!! We sent a message on our online portal explaining the issue how one machine was giving very high readings and the other low.... a healthcare assistant triaged and gave the appointment. If it was so unreasonable they would not have given an appointment!

OP posts:
MrTiddlesTheCat · 19/06/2025 19:48

Seeing the nurse to have your blood pressure checked following a high home reading is the right thing to do.

Expecting the nurse to check your machines to work out which one is most accurate is ridiculous and a complete waste of NHS resources.

Mymanyellow · 19/06/2025 19:48

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:27

Hey, they don't use automatic machines in our surgery. They use manual

Ok but was it the same or similar to the one you use at home?

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:47

diddl · 19/06/2025 19:46

So she was told to monitor for 7 days but not given a machine?

No, we were told to use our own machine....

OP posts:
diddl · 19/06/2025 19:46

ThisCoolOP · 19/06/2025 19:42

She wasn't given a machine....... they are our own machines

So she was told to monitor for 7 days but not given a machine?

Endofyear · 19/06/2025 19:46

I'm baffled that you think it's within the remit of the NHS to perform checks to verify your own blood pressure equipment is working correctly! Surely if you are getting unusual readings, you can go to a pharmacy and check your blood pressure there? I'm not surprised the nurse was snippy and irritated. I'm surprised she didn't tell you to stop wasting her time!