Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I am so annoyed with my GP

128 replies

isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 16:22

I've asked them twice if I could have a Covid jab this autumn, and they said point blank no. Last year, I had the jab in November. I'm 60+, have pre-diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Guess what? I started to feel a bit shivery this morning and I now feel like I've got the flu coming on, so I did a test just to be on the safe side. Bright red positive. Damn - and I saw one of my friends yesterday evening, who is in the middle of chemotherapy.

I am so cross.

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 08/12/2023 17:43

My DH is on chemo. I live with him but I'm not eligible for the vaccine, even though he is.
The NHS is not a bottomless pit of money.

Bernardmanning · 08/12/2023 17:46

A quick Google reveals that in 2022 over 50s with certain health conditions were offered it. This year it is far more stringent and only offered to the over 65s. The information was readily accessible, so it seems obvious that your Dr is not to blame for this. The govt/dept of health have moved the goal posts. No doubt there will be reasons behind it. It's not your drs fault however, so there is no point being angry at them.

stepintochristmas1 · 08/12/2023 17:49

isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 17:27

It was a social event and I didn't know he was going to be there.

Show quote history

Well the what are you worried about ? Your friend knows the advice about avoiding crowded spaces . You can hardly be responsible for a vulnerable person in a room full of people .

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
daisypond · 08/12/2023 17:51

Neriah · 08/12/2023 17:28

MacMillan disagree with you. The NHS site clearly states that the lists are summaries and not exhaustive. My friend has cancer and is only 42 - she has had the booster this year because she has cancer. She is not currently immunosuppressed.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus/vaccine

Show quote history

I’m going to double check, thank you. Am on phone to Macmillan now.

stepintochristmas1 · 08/12/2023 17:54

Depends where in the UK you live as well .

Neriah · 08/12/2023 17:57

isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 17:34

Thank you, you're one of the few people who have been sympathetic. I didn't get to talk to a doctor, I was stopped by the receptionist brick wall, who wouldn't even book me a telephone consultation. Point blank no. That's who I'm pissed off with really. DH and I were talking about it last night, and again early this morning, and I was going to try again early next week. Having known someone otherwise fit and healthy who died of it in their 50's is not nice.

Show quote history

Jeez you are really self centered. The receptionist told you the rules. Full stop. GP or receptionist doesn't change them. It's a point blank no from anyone. You don't qualify. I know someone fit and healthy and in their early 40s who died of FLU not Covid in 2021. It happens. It's always happened. You just didn't know.

Neriah · 08/12/2023 18:08

daisypond · 08/12/2023 17:51

I’m going to double check, thank you. Am on phone to Macmillan now.

Show quote history

Hope you get it sorted. I'll be honest, I qualify and had the booster. I know it doesn't make me invulnerable. But I don't care. One day something will kill me, but I intend to live until that day!

My friend told me the other day that she is ignoring the cancer. Its her "3rd time" and the experts say its terminal. Nothing much they can do. So she got on a plane with her children and had the holiday of a lifetime somewhere the kids always wanted to go. I admire her so much. We'll all die. Some of us have less grace about it.

daisypond · 08/12/2023 18:25

Neriah · 08/12/2023 18:08

Hope you get it sorted. I'll be honest, I qualify and had the booster. I know it doesn't make me invulnerable. But I don't care. One day something will kill me, but I intend to live until that day!

My friend told me the other day that she is ignoring the cancer. Its her "3rd time" and the experts say its terminal. Nothing much they can do. So she got on a plane with her children and had the holiday of a lifetime somewhere the kids always wanted to go. I admire her so much. We'll all die. Some of us have less grace about it.

Edited
Show quote history

Ah, thank you. I’ve had invasive cancer twice in two years - last time a year ago. Macmillan still say I don’t qualify, as I need to be immunocompromised.

Sebsaloysius · 08/12/2023 18:26

daisypond · 08/12/2023 17:39

I am undergoing treatment, but I’m still not eligible.

Show quote history

If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy you absolutely ARE eligible.

Wolfiefan · 08/12/2023 18:28

You’re not eligible for it. That’s not the fault of the GP or receptionist. You don’t have serious medical issues like a very compromised immune system. It’s not available for all.

daisypond · 08/12/2023 18:32

Sebsaloysius · 08/12/2023 18:26

If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy you absolutely ARE eligible.

Show quote history

Yes, but I’m not having those treatments right now.

blacksax · 08/12/2023 18:33

Neriah · 08/12/2023 17:57

Jeez you are really self centered. The receptionist told you the rules. Full stop. GP or receptionist doesn't change them. It's a point blank no from anyone. You don't qualify. I know someone fit and healthy and in their early 40s who died of FLU not Covid in 2021. It happens. It's always happened. You just didn't know.

Show quote history

Doctors' receptionists are not medically qualified, and should therefore not be taking clinical decisions about a patient. They should certainly not refuse to allow a patient a telephone consultation when asked.

WhichIsItWendy · 08/12/2023 18:34

Doctors don't choose who is eligible for COVID vaccinations, that's done centrally. If you're not eligible, you're not eligible.

Also, having the COVID vaccination doesn't make you immune from catching COVID.

lavagal · 08/12/2023 18:38

My dad was diabetic but otherwise very fit and healthy. Had the Covid jab and flu Jab in the same appointment last year - he was died within 32 hours of a catastrophic heart attack - I'll never know if the two jabs together contributed...

lavagal · 08/12/2023 18:38

*he died

He was only 62

Ladyof2022 · 08/12/2023 18:39

The job does not stop you catching it, nor does it decrease the symptoms. I know many people that have caught it after being jabbed multiple times some of these were very very ill indeed. I also know people who are anti-vaxers and never had their job at all not even one, some of them court covid and had it very mild. I myself am completely unjabbed and I caught covid earlier this year and it was not bad at all no more than a bad cold.

MumblesParty · 08/12/2023 18:48

isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 17:00

Bet that made you feel good saying that, did it?

Enjoy kicking people when they feel down, do you?

Show quote history

No, just sick of people on MN having a go at GPs. As if they make the health policies.

Salacia · 08/12/2023 18:58

I’m sorry that you’re feeling poorly but the GP cannot override the central criteria for the vaccine. You may have fitted into it previous years but you don’t this year as previous posters have commented.

You need to direct your frustration at central government who make the decisions. Not take it out on your GP who has done nothing wrong. This constant drip, drip, drip of venom from the media, general public and politicians is hugely contributing to the retention crisis in primary care.

Goatymum · 08/12/2023 19:01

The criteria has changed - it was over 50s last year for flu and covid, but this year I’m not entitled to either.
A jab doesn’t stop you getting it or passing it on, it’ll stop you feeling more ill.

RuthW · 08/12/2023 19:07

Your gp didn't stop you having it, the government did. We can only give it to those eligible and from what you have said you don't meet the criteria

RuthW · 08/12/2023 19:08

isittimetoflounceyet · 08/12/2023 16:34

Last year I got a text inviting me for both the covid booster and flu, and I've spoken to the surgery twice about having the boosters, and was told that pre-diabetes isn't diabetes so isn't on the at-risk list. How come I was allowed it last year then?

Earlier today, DH and I were talking about it, and we agreed I'd try again, and go private if necessary. Too bloody late now.

I'm worried I've given it to my friend.

You were entitled last year as the government said all over 50s are eligible for both. This year they said only over 65s (unless you have a certain condition which it seems you haven't)

RuthW · 08/12/2023 19:12

Snowpatrolling · 08/12/2023 17:09

I’m allowed it due to high blood pressure which is on your list? Not that I wanted it. Weird they so t give it to you. It doesn’t stop you getting covid tho.

Hypertension is not on the eligible list

RuthW · 08/12/2023 19:15

Receptionists don't make the decisions. It's automatically on your notes if you meet the criteria

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 08/12/2023 19:25

DumpedByText · 08/12/2023 17:16

I know it reduces the severity but it's contagious so doesn't stop you catching it!

Show quote history

What are you on about? The vaccine reduces the likelihood of the vaccinated person catching Covid.

TheGhostOfTheOpera · 08/12/2023 19:26

Tbh I’ve been offered the jab and I’m not supposed to fit any criteria to have it 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

@isittimetoflounceyet You got told off fir questioning it why you arent eligible. I got told for questioning why I was…. You can’t win.

I think sometimes the criteria aren’t logical. Sometimes, there are mistakes. Sometimes we are simply missing people explaining calmly why things are a certain way.

I hope you’ll feel better soon and your friend is ok too.