Upset over GP visit - should I complain.

[Miley1967]

I really need advise on something that happened today at GP visit, I have name changed for this. Long time poster.
I have been in agony for eight days with severe prolapsed hemorrhoid's. I have not been able to sit, I have been bleeding and almost passing out after bowel motions. I went to the walk in clinic eight days ago and lovely GP's x 2 there examined gently, no internal rectal examination done due to pain. They wanted my GP to review and said they would sent a message to my own GP surgery.
I booked an appointment to see a Gp on sat (overflow surgery). However on friday a GP receptionist from my own practice rang to say would I like an appointment today ( Tues) instead and it would be with a female GP. I agree to this even though it meant taking an afternoon off work and postponing the appointment by a few days, as with it being such an intimate area I thought it would be better with female GP.
Arrived at GP today and the GP I was booked with was not female. I explained was under the impression I would be seeing female GP. Gp could not explain how mistake had happened, fair enough, I said wasn't too much of a problem.
The past eight days have been so difficult with such severe pain I was getting tearful even talking about it explaining the problem . Gp seemed sympathetic was being kind. Knew I would need an examination but assumed would just be checking the external hemorrhoid's again as before. Chaperone was in the room. Without any explanation or warning GP just performed PR examination, it was excruciatingly painful I was sobbing. There was no consent to do this, the pain lasted for hours afterwards, I still feel traumatized writing about it.
I feel like I want to speak to the chaperone ( receptionist) to see if I missed where he asked if he could do this or explained what he was about to do , or should I just have expected that this would happen? Feel so traumatized by the pain he caused. I'm not sure if I'm being silly ?
Sorry this is long - thank you if you've got to the end !

I am so sorry this happened. I cannot give advice based on knowledge of the system but I think you should complain both about the mistake when you did not get a female GP after you changed work for that, and for the thoughtless sudden intrusive and painful examination at the hands of this doctor.

What did he do or say when he saw the pain he’d caused?

Try to take care and get some sleep tonight if you can. You must be very shocked and upset.

You're not being silly and you have every right to be upset. Informed consent must be given through EVERY part of an examination.

I've had similar happen to me when I had swabs taken and a coil inserted. She was awful and I felt so angry for a long time after.

You need to call and speak to practice manager asap. I hope you feel better soon

Thank you for your kindness. he said nothing, the chaperone handed me a tissue.

Thank you, I still feel tearful hours later which is why I felt I just needed to write it down and get others opinion.

Hi,

I volunteer in a GP surgery as a patient representative.

The thing to do would be to ring reception and ask to be put in touch with the practice manager, as suggested above.

The practice manager is not a medical person but a professional manager and all complaints go to them.

They will want to hear from you because I think this would be considered a "training need" in their clinican, and they would rather catch it and sort it out.

I think it is really fine to contact them and tell them about it.

If you feel very uncertain about doing that, you could contact the patient participation group email address, which should be on the website. The PPG chairperson would be able to pass on your concern to the practice manager anonymously, if you would find that easier.

I'm really sorry to hear that this happened. I hope that they can help put things right and that your injury heals soon, and well for you.

Your whole psyche will quite correctly be feeling that this was like an attack. It is not surprising you are upset. That is why you should get rest and peace, and try to do some lovely things to help get calm.

That the chaperone handed you a tissue, but he had nothing to say is very telling. This doctor should not be in this job.

Thanks to all those who responded last night. I have spoken to the chaperone today and she called in the practice manager. I am speaking to her in more detail tomorrow. Still feeling really tearful about it all and still in severe pain at times.

Well done, and I hope they take due note your experience, apologise, and put training in place so as to avoid this sort of thing happening in the future.

Try to take some time to do something very pleasant if you can.

Why go to a health professional and then complain he examined you for the reason you want? !! God help the NHS

Here is your answer….

Knew I would need an examination but assumed would just be checking the external hemorrhoid's again as before.

Because the doctor failed to explain to the patient what was happening and didn't gain consent from her, which then makes what they did assault. I hope the OP complained.

I work in the NHS and any remotely proficient doctor would explain what he is going to do before he does it, make sure the patient understands, and make clear that the patient can say if it is too painful.

This thread was posted in May.

God help forums with people like you bringing up old threads.

But anyway, what bit about consent don't you understand? Or reading comprehension where she put what other health professionals had done previously for the same condition.

The doctor should have gained informed consent for everything they were going to do and the patient should have been in control the whole time ie ask the Dr to stop at any point. What has happened is unacceptable and yes you should complain, hope you feel better soon.