Receptionist insisted I wait four weeks for high blood pressure appointment

[Arimatata]

I was told by my GP practice to periodically check my BP. I did a week of readings and it was on average 163/99. I know this is too high, especially for home readings.

I filled in the online referral form and subsequently had a text with an appointment for four weeks on with a nurse. I have previously had blood clots in my eye, so I felt it was too long to wait, so I called them. When I got through I tried to explain to the receptionist that I should be seen sooner. He interrupted me to patronisingly explain that there weren’t any appointments sooner. When I tried to speak he told me off for interrupting him. This is a receptionist who isn’t medically trained deciding how soon I should be seen. No one medically trained was involved thus far.

I then asked for a GP appointment but he said no, I have to see a nurse. Anyway, I held my nerve and repeated that my BP was too high to wait four weeks.

An hour later he rang with an appointment at 3pm with the nurse. I’m now on medication.

It was a traumatic experience. I felt humiliated to be told off and it was hard to stick to my guns. This was someone not medically trained explaining to me that I had to wait because there weren’t any appointments before four weeks time. It was said as if that was ok and I was being troublesome for wanting something sooner.

Thanks for allowing me to rant.

You need to grow a thicker skin. It undermines actual trauma to call this experience traumatic.

This is a really crucial part of your post @Arimatata. The “navigator” needs to be able to understand the impact of high BP on your medical history. I’ve had a BVRO and suffered some permanent sight loss and now macular oedema. I’m on BP meds and statins and would be really concerned if my BP was that high given my history!

You need to fuck off with your judgement. You have no idea what my circumstances are and what else I might be dealing with in my life.

Yes, I have permanent loss of sight in my left eye, following two incidences of BRVO.

I've been put in that position. The pharmacy saved me from an what was going to be a ridiculously tedious A&E visit after my surgery kept refusing to give me an appointment until I saw a doctor, not even an urgent telephone one. After that, I realised it pays to get really friendly with your local independent pharmacy team(s). Mine now receive chocolates and fancy biscuit trays at Christmas.