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Original poster

Doctor lying on report..

212 replies

Anon662120622 · 04/12/2025 13:27

So I've sent a very blunt email with threats to report to the ombudsman and GMC after appointment with specialist.. Long story short - Shoulder trauma injury, felt shoulder pop out and tear. Still no improvement after 21 weeks, unable to lift arm out any further than 30 degrees. Extreme impact on quality of life

I've been to multiple appointments and four physio sessions (referred by doctor.) Last one was extremely dismissive and actually lied in the report. Physio wrote a letter suggesting he thought I had a paralysed muscle, muscle wastage and nerve damage. Doctor completely wrote that of as he "doesn't trust that physio" because he doesn't specialise in my kind of injury... Why send me there and waste two whole months then?! He told me I was holding my arm down.. it's completely deformed, as mentioned above, I felt it like pop out and it was instantly lower.

He lied on the report saying
*I could touch my thumb to my lower lumbar spine which was an outright lie. I can't get my arm to rotate backwards at all.
*He noted there was no muscle wastage - my shoulder is pretty much skin and bones, there has definitely been a massive amount of wastage.

  • noted no weakness of rotator cuff. I'd say not being able to lift my arm out any further than 30 degrees indicates a significant amount of weakness?

I've written a complaint email to the pals team noting that I'm going to complain to the ombudsman and GMC and will even go down the legal route if a delayed diagnosis leads to further problems/permanent paralysis.

I asked for a second opinion and they've just booked me back in to see the same doctor.. fastest response and appointment offer I've ever recieved I might add.

Am I being unreasonable to ask again for a second opinion from a different doctor?
I'm still going to attend the one with the same doctor and have said I'm requesting to be able to audio record this next appointment so any discrepancies can be properly noted with no denial. I'm also requesting for the report to be changed.

I believe the reason he said all of the lies as mentioned would be to downplay my injury to avoid having to take the reasonable steps to treat me properly? He referred me to a rehab saying they'd give me a diagnosis on my first appointment and he'd trust everything they say. They phoned to book my appointment and told me that the doctors massively lie and act like they're some kind of miracle workers. They said they're essentially just another physio and they wouldn't be able to give me a diagnosis.)

I've honestly just had enough, I'm going to have to pay to go private.. maybe our NI and Tax should be a thing of the past, or massively dropped as we obviously aren't recieving what it's all advertised to be. 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Anon662120622 · 06/12/2025 15:38

@growlybear83 did you read the email I sent? Go back through and see where I said I would involve the gmc.. as for the complaint, I think that's probably the best avenue to go down after having a misleading report written about my last encounter with the drs I'm complaining about? I was completely dismissed and I think they're downplaying it, Saying I could do things I couldn't and about the extent of my injury and genuinely outright lying.. this could result in other doctors believing I'm much better than I am.

Also.. being told I'd be seen again in 6 months while I have no use of my arm is pretty ridiculous.

OP posts:
hcee19 · 06/12/2025 13:51

Well said 👏

Growlybear83 · 06/12/2025 13:23

I think it’s entirely reasonable to ask for a second opinion from a different doctor. But if you are seriously going to complain formally to the ombudsman and GMC, particularly if you haven’t exhausted your practice’s formal complaints process, and accuse your doctor of lying, you are being very unreasonable. Your complaint won’t be taken seriously if you don’t follow the correct process and your constant assertion that the doctor was lying makes you sound a little unhinged.

wordywitch · 06/12/2025 13:17

I fully believe the OP and I used to work clinically in the NHS. Saw this kind of thing not infrequently. The gaslighting and dismissiveness that goes on is appalling. And I say that as someone who knows firsthand the challenges and outright inhumane conditions the staff work in, so while I have compassion for the doctors working under extreme pressure and burnout, it’s also no excuse for this kind of behaviour.

I thought your letter was very good OP, I hope you get the correct treatment and an apology.

Tdcp · 06/12/2025 11:34

To those who don't believe the op when she says that the physio said gps lie, I have been told by a cancer pathway doctor that the gp has lied as well as a cbt consultant that a gp had lied, it's really not an unreasonable conclusion that they did say that to her. I love my current gp but some of them are really really shit. I was so ill for 5 years and consistently dismissed by my previous gp and he did lie more than a few times on my reports. I've now recovered due to a different gp doing the relevant tests and finding out what was actually wrong.

Good luck to you op, it sounds horrendous what you're going through.

millie101 · 06/12/2025 11:32

Anon662120622 · 04/12/2025 13:27

So I've sent a very blunt email with threats to report to the ombudsman and GMC after appointment with specialist.. Long story short - Shoulder trauma injury, felt shoulder pop out and tear. Still no improvement after 21 weeks, unable to lift arm out any further than 30 degrees. Extreme impact on quality of life

I've been to multiple appointments and four physio sessions (referred by doctor.) Last one was extremely dismissive and actually lied in the report. Physio wrote a letter suggesting he thought I had a paralysed muscle, muscle wastage and nerve damage. Doctor completely wrote that of as he "doesn't trust that physio" because he doesn't specialise in my kind of injury... Why send me there and waste two whole months then?! He told me I was holding my arm down.. it's completely deformed, as mentioned above, I felt it like pop out and it was instantly lower.

He lied on the report saying
*I could touch my thumb to my lower lumbar spine which was an outright lie. I can't get my arm to rotate backwards at all.
*He noted there was no muscle wastage - my shoulder is pretty much skin and bones, there has definitely been a massive amount of wastage.

  • noted no weakness of rotator cuff. I'd say not being able to lift my arm out any further than 30 degrees indicates a significant amount of weakness?

I've written a complaint email to the pals team noting that I'm going to complain to the ombudsman and GMC and will even go down the legal route if a delayed diagnosis leads to further problems/permanent paralysis.

I asked for a second opinion and they've just booked me back in to see the same doctor.. fastest response and appointment offer I've ever recieved I might add.

Am I being unreasonable to ask again for a second opinion from a different doctor?
I'm still going to attend the one with the same doctor and have said I'm requesting to be able to audio record this next appointment so any discrepancies can be properly noted with no denial. I'm also requesting for the report to be changed.

I believe the reason he said all of the lies as mentioned would be to downplay my injury to avoid having to take the reasonable steps to treat me properly? He referred me to a rehab saying they'd give me a diagnosis on my first appointment and he'd trust everything they say. They phoned to book my appointment and told me that the doctors massively lie and act like they're some kind of miracle workers. They said they're essentially just another physio and they wouldn't be able to give me a diagnosis.)

I've honestly just had enough, I'm going to have to pay to go private.. maybe our NI and Tax should be a thing of the past, or massively dropped as we obviously aren't recieving what it's all advertised to be. 🙄

Go private, its not worth the delay and fight and headspace. and speed is often of the essence. Specifically book an appointment with a shoulder othropaedic surgeon. (I can recommend Mr Andrew Sankey at C&W London, for me he diagnosed what others could not. You may have to wait but it wont be an NHS wait time). Keep a pain diary and use it in your appointment. Once you see a consultant go with the physio they recommend.

BTW - NHS guidance is that patients have the right to request a second opinion, though practices aren’t legally required to guarantee one — but most do. If they genuinely can’t provide one (e.g., only one GP that day), they should offer: another GP on a different day / a pharmacist/ANP/physician associate where clinically appropriate / or a referral elsewhere if needed. Challenge them on that (and report to the GMC if necessary).

It's affecting your quality of life - my advice is to be strategic now, ignore the noise and annoyance and get yourself seen by someone who has the diagnostic expertise that you clearly need. Blinkers on, head down, good luck.

Fdsew · 06/12/2025 10:55

OP, your email is actually extremely measured in tone.
I so hope you get answers soon.

T1Dmama · 06/12/2025 10:48

I’m not sure what planet some people are from that comment on here!
BUT @Anon662120622 you are NOT BU!
U have every right to be annoyed and complain, you’ve been left in pain!
Of course you ask for a different doctor… and I would be recording too!… not necessarily with permission either!..I’d be calling up and asking to change doctors entirely!
Is walking in A&E or a walk-in centre an option? Or changing GP surgeries?!

My friend recently walked in GP Surgery & was given painkillers and away… nurse didn’t do proper physical obs & told my friend her IBS was playing up… she returned days later and saw another nurse who actually bothered to do checks and sent her straight to A&E… turns out she had rumbling appendix which by 2nd appointment and A&E visit had ruptured… she had emergency surgery where she was told she’d been full of poison from it and was told she was extremely lucky to be alive!! She then got kept in & put on strong antibiotics & it was a bit touch and go as she had sepsis & she was throwing up constantly!

I do think GP’s are the kind of ‘Jack of all trades’ (master of none) of the medical profession… they are just signposters that refer you to specialists so it’s ALWAYS worth seeing different doctors ..

hcee19 · 06/12/2025 10:06

I hope you get a diagnosis and then the proper treatment. It really shouldn't be like this at all, having to make complaints so you can be treated with kindness and truth. I wish you luck and hope its all sorted out for you very soon .

Original poster
Anon662120622 · 06/12/2025 09:57

@hcee19 I spoke to a lady over the phone that said I would have to ask the doctor for permission, as I asked in the email If I could do so.. I am thankfully now seeing my main shoulder surgeon/consultant in my next appointment. Hoping to have a better outcome, they grovelled and asked that I wait until after the second opinion to report to the ombudsman. I'm hoping they'll take me more seriously knowing that I'm willing to hold them accountable for any wrongdoings. 🤞

OP posts:
hcee19 · 06/12/2025 09:21

If you do see the original doctor, you would have to ask his permission to record the appointment , it's a grayish area, but it can breach privacy rights under the human rights act. This doctor sounds obnoxious , prat, l would definitely be requesting a second opinion which is your right

Horses7 · 06/12/2025 00:17

SpaceRaccoon · 04/12/2025 13:37

OP you'll be torn to shreds here - apparently we have to be grovellingly grateful for the shit NHS we pay a fortune for.

This.
Some of the stuff MN people/relatives are going through via the NHS is scary, so many people not getting the correct treatment and/or waiting for months to get referred to a specialist. Poor or negligent treatment in hospitals and A&E - as a family we’ve experienced this and so have lots of friends/colleagues. Worrying times.

maddening · 05/12/2025 23:46

Also request referral to another orthopaedic consultant as you can have no faith in this one!

maddening · 05/12/2025 23:43

Personally I think the current funding practice is a conflict of interest as the referral comes out of gp funding so there is an incentive to fuck patients around imo

Original poster
Anon662120622 · 05/12/2025 22:59

I've been mulling this over and thought I'd copy and paste everything written in my email to see if the majority of people think I was too abrasive.. I'm really not too sure that I was?

Around the 6th of November I was seen in clinic by Mr redacted and Mr Redacted

I had previously been referred for physio by Mr *Redacted and attended my appointment on the 6th with a report from the physio, stating that I had noticeable poor muscle strength in right shoulder shrug, noticeable muscle wastage in the right upper trapezius area and exhibiting signs of a certain degree of RT upper trapezius paralysis. He also believes there may be nerve damage.

Mr * Redacted completely dismissed everything that the physio reported - including the muscle wastage. Bear in mind I have been seeing the physio monthly and he has witnessed the muscle wasting over this period. He essentially said that he didn't trust what the physio said as they don't specialise in my kind of injury. If this is the case then I've been delayed proper treatment by being referred to them in the first place.

He reported that I could touch my thumb to my lower lumbar spine with no restriction which is a lie. He never asked me to do so, and I had told him in my own words that I wasn't able to do so. He noted that my right shoulder is lower and that he could correct it passively (I believe this to be untrue). He noted there was no muscle wastage and there was no weakness of my rotator cuff. - I physically cannot lift my arm pass 30 degrees which I would believe exhibts signs of severe muscle weakness.

He also noted that they had discussed operative and non-operative options with me which is untrue.

My husband attended this appointment with me and has also noted the same points that I have.

I feel as though this report is resulting in delayed medical treatment by downplaying my injury.

I would firstly like to dispute this on my medical records and make a formal request for this to be corrected.

Please could I also be referred for an urgent second opinion.

I would also like to make a formal complaint against Mr Redacted and Mr Redacted due this possibly leading to a delayed diagnosis or incorrect treatment.

This will also be reported to the ombudsman. If this is delaying treatment due to improper diagnosis or treatment causing more/ possibly permanent damage to myself, I will seek legal advice and report to the GMC.

Correspondence can be made either through this email address or by phone - *redacted .

Regards, *redacted

OP posts:
Kirstk · 05/12/2025 21:25

Can you not go a&e for xray? That would've been my first step

Ireolu · 05/12/2025 21:11

You need to manage your expectations
Shoulder is a very complex joint.
The damage done is done and it is not the doctors fault you had a traumatic injury to the shoulder.
They shd not lie though, that's not on.
The second opinion doctor may not be able to do much either if scans have not show anything amenable to surgery. MRI is a detailed scan so you have had good imaging.
You need to be sensible in your approach to those treating you. There is no point going in looking for a row. Ultimately you want treatment that will return function and reduce pain so be mindful.

HevenlyMeS · 05/12/2025 20:57

I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a horrible upsetting dismissive experience from someone whom you should be able to trust & expect more from 😢
Wishing you all the utmost very best moving forward & hope other commenters have helped you
You deserve so much better
Take great care of yourself
💚🙏💚

Artsyjojo · 05/12/2025 20:46

I work in NHS in another speciality you should be able to go for a second opinion with another orthopedic surgeon within the same department. You shouldn't need to go private. In my department which is Colorectal we often get patients request second opinions from other consultants within the same department and should not be met by any drama. Some surgeons will even offer to send for second and third opinions where necessary. I hope you get a satisfactory resolution. I hope PALS also work on your behalf.

Bluedenimdoglover · 05/12/2025 20:39

If you can afford it, go for a private consultation. If it's vastly different, then you may have grounds to complain. If not, that may reassure you about your treatment so far.

Ophy83 · 05/12/2025 19:58

Have you looked him up and seen whether he is an expert witness, and if so whether he often acts for Defendants? Some Defendant experts (not all!) are oddly sceptical of injuries and like to suggest patients are malingerers (some may be but most people are honest).

RavenhairedRachel · 05/12/2025 18:21

Insist on seeing a different Dr. for a second opinion. A colleague of mine had a situation last year when she was experiencing strange symptoms dizziness loss of coordination etc.her Dr. kept fobbing her off. In the end another colleague took her to A&E as she suspected she'd had a stroke. They did an emergency scan and she was admitted for surgery straight away. She has a cyst at the base of her brain as big as a grapefruit. Her consultant told her son who insisted on seeing her medical records (son is also a Dr.) If the cyst had increased by a few more millimeters it would have been fatal. You know your body best

Moanranger · 05/12/2025 10:28

OP he really should have offered you a steroid injection on the spot. I had one given firstly by the medic that did my ultrasound, then orthopod gave me another after my MRI results consult, about 6 months apart. Kept pain at bay.

Fdsew · 05/12/2025 09:04

Anon662120622 · 04/12/2025 17:57

I was actually told I must have a low pain threshold 😂 I've had two cesarean sections and the pain is much worse from my shoulder that it ever was after my cesareans.. it really is awful. I hope you're feeling better

Show quote history

Vimova has helped so much.
I have my mri which shows the nasty tears, but not rupture.
I will bring my mri's of both shoulders to an orthopedic surgeon who is excellent.
My GP actually said "christ you must be in agony" when he read the mri.
He is lovely and very sympathetic.
I'm hoping a steroid injection in both shoulders will do the trick.
Sleeping has been very hard.

I really hope you also get sorted quickly.
I felt relief to be finally diagnosed.

Original poster
Anon662120622 · 05/12/2025 08:24

olympicsrock I have definitely been combative, I just broke.. I just feel like I'm getting nowhere and with some of the things he wrote in the report he couldn't have had "different findings". For example - saying I could put my thumb to my lower lumbar spine, That is completely untrue and there is no way he could've had different findings as he never asked me to do so. I may have worded everything I said really strongly out of frustration and probably should've taken a breath and thought a little more calmly about what I wrote. There is no way for me to just talk to him, he is a specialist in a hospital about an hour and a half away from me. They only do clinics every four weeks and I can't just request to talk to him. I waited a 10 weeks to see them last time when it should've been 6 weeks. I'm just really frustrated, I have two very young children, I can't work and I'm battling severe depression.

OP posts: