To ask not to see a specific doctor

[Teenytwo]

On the whole, my GP surgery is brilliant. They are really helpful, respond quickly and make referrals where needed. There is one doctor that I dread seeing because I just think he doesn’t listen or understand. I went a couple of years ago because of extremely painful periods that had suddenly changed in frequency and duration. His response was to come back if this becomes a problem, it was a problem already. I went with a UTI and he suggested a&e rather than even taking a urine sample and giving antibiotics.

I am now heavily pregnant, when I was first pregnant and contacted the surgery I was given an appointment with him, he told me to immediately stop taking long term medication I was on and when I told him I was being sick 30+ times a day he told me it was normal. I was admitted to hospital the next day with severe dehydration after I collapsed at work as a result of HG. I also found out that the long term medication was safe throughout pregnancy but dangerous to stop suddenly which I had done.

When I was discharged I was told to contact my GP for a fit note and more medication ready for when I ran out. I was given this doctor again, he told me that I can self certify for 5 days so I didn’t need a fit note and that sickness was normal so try ginger, baring in mind I was kept in hospital for 6 days so had already done that. I contacted reception and they went to a different doctor who sorted the fit note and medication within 15 minutes.

Ive had a fair few complications so far and every other doctor has been really helpful. One offered a fit note up until my due date because she could see how much I was struggling. I’ve lost weight throughout my pregnancy and only in the last couple of weeks have I started to gain it back, I weigh 3 pounds more than my pre pregnancy weight, I was at the top of normal bmi then. I had to go in today and it was this doctor, the first thing he did was weigh me, he has told me that losing weight might help (I’m 36 weeks pregnant and I’ve only gained 3 pounds from my “normal” weight that was considered healthy). I saw the midwife yesterday at the hospital who did various tests and have referred me back to my GP because the problem isn’t pregnancy related. He has told me that it will just be the weight or because of my pregnancy, so no solution whatsoever.

I can’t work out if he is a really shit doctor, or it the issue is a language barrier because I find myself having to constantly repeat and rephrase issues and maybe he isn’t picking up on everything. Is it acceptable to ring my surgery and ask to not have him as a doctor I can see? I don’t want to risk ruining a mostly good thing with the surgery because everyone else there is outstanding.

Of course you can say you don’t want to see a particular doctor. I’m surprised you have continued to see him especially after the HG/meds issue. There’s no way I’d have gone back to him after that. Appalling.

I doubt they can record on your file that you don’t want to see him but you could request a change of named GP, if he’s your named GP. Then when you call for an appointment ask each time for it to be with a different doctor.

I only see very particular doctors at my practice. I just ensure that, unless it’s a really straightforward issue, that I only see those doctors. There’s one I won’t see for anything as he actually endangered me with his arrogance and dismissiveness.

Thankfully my named GP is excellent and I try to see him now whenever I can, and there’s a couple of others I have as back up.

If you are worried about upsetting the practice (I think this is unlikely if you polite, but some people over worry about such things) you can always say “can I see a female doctor about that” or “can I see x for continuity of care” or “I’d prefer to see my named GP if possible”. Or some other similar “excuse” to avoid you saying “I don’t want to see y”. Personally though I’d have no issue with say “I don’t want to see that GP as they have given me poor care in the past which led to a hospital admission and the trust has gone, is there anyone else available?”

I have however got much more assertive about my care since I developed chronic illness and have realised that I will not get any adequate care without learning to advocate for myself assertively for it. I would have been less comfortable saying that a decade or so ago!

Good luck!

Yes you can. I did it with one particular doctor in my practice as she was so rubbish!

That wouldn't be a problem at my practice and they never ask why or anything. You have clearly given him plenty of chances and he does indeed sound dire.

If you feel uncomfortable asking not to see him in particular, ask instead if you can see another named doctor that you do like.

Absolutely!!
I’ve had a hell of a time over the past year with gynae stuff, and I’ve built a rapport with the incredibly OBGYN who did my surgery. She’s great, listens to me and always outlines all my options and we make a plan together.
BUT she’s the only OBGYN at my practice who specialises in the particular method of surgery I had, so she gets called in for the emergency cases that come in.
I saw one of her colleagues a few months ago, and I’ve nicknamed her Dr Bullshit 🫠 I sat there for 2 hours, she had my notes with all my history…..and after all that she offered me a long-term ibuprofen prescription 🤡
Im due another follow up in August, and was initially offered an appointment with Dr Bullshit as my usual Dr is unavailable. I politely declined and said I’d rather wait until my usual Dr is available.

Thank you all. Next time I need to
doctor I’m going to specifically ask for someone other than him because every time I’ve had an appointment with him I’ve had to go back anyway so it will benefit them too because I won’t be needing double the amount of appointments.

Yes just say you don’t wish to see Dr X

If it’s online booking it’s much easier just choose the HP you want

Every time you book say you don't want to see him.

But I think you should put in a complaint detailing what you said above- stopping medication suddenly, not recognising the risk of dehydration/severity if hyperemesis and telling you to lose weight inappropriately are all serious errors that could have serious consequences, and he needs to be stopped repeating these with other patients.

Yes, you can ask to not see a specific doctor. I did, because I couldn't understand him and he could not understand my standard not-quite-RP English accent. Thus, appointments were always very difficult until I got to see a different doctor.

I would genuinely consider putting a complaint in about this doctor, and I’m not normally one to complain. He sounds dangerous - he’s either not good at his job or he’s sexist and doesn’t take women seriously.

You can absolutely request not to see that doctor, and whilst you don’t have to tell them why, I absolutely would and make it clear that he has endangered your life and health on more than one occasion.

Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy.