Medical issues for would be adopters, how much info is needed?

[Nancery]

I am a Type 1 diabetic. I have been for 37 years, have no complications and no history of diabetes related hospital admissions.

However... A GP at my practice recently wrote to my diabetes team out of 'desperation' about my apparent 'unwillingness to come in even for a chat' and said I was 'a cause of very great concern.' This extraordinary outburst came from pretty much nowhere, especially considering my previous medical history, and discussing it with the Practice Manager kind of resolved it (basically the GP then passed a message on to say he 'was satisfied I am receiving adequate care.') Basically all I did was tell the receptionist, as soon as I got the note on my repeat prescription, that I didn't need a review apt with the GP as I go to the hospital for it.
The diabetes nurse I see found the episode 'bizarre' and amusing and the consultant (my annual apt was brought forward two months) said he 'couldn't see what the issue was' either.
I am still, possibly stupidly, annoyed about it all as it has subsequently tarred another apt a had to make with a GP shortly after this letter as I had an ear infection - both gps, I had to go twice, blamed it on being diabetic and the first initially refused antibiotics as 'there's no point until your blood sugar is under control.' My blood sugar has never not been under control but my notes imply it is, and they say I have been refusing help to the point of a GP resorting to writing 'desperation' letters. I am also wondering if it might influence any general medical questions or cause concern, and possible delays, where there really is no need. Luckily I can get letters from the diabetes centre at the hospital if I need to but as the initial medical will be, I imagine, at the GP surgery I'm wondering if I might have a problem

I can't really answer as I am not a medical person but I will say that your gp is usually (I think) the person who does your adoption medical so if you have problems with them both (whether these are not your fault etc) maybe, just maybe, this will be difficult.

Can you clear up these issues and get on a good footing with one or the other or both and resolve whatever issues there are? If not can you change surgery? Or would an adoption agency find it odd if you changed surgery just before adopting? (I am asking other more experienced adopters as I do not know!)

How close are you to the adoption process? IMHO you do need to get any issues connected to your health (whether these be real medical problems or communication problems sorted at some point).

Good luck.

PS I am an adopter.

Sorry, that should read....

How close are you to the adoption process? IMHO you do need to get any issues connected to your health (whether these be real medical problems or communication problems) sorted at some point before or early on in the adoption process as this could hold you up.

Thanks! When I got the letter, I was copied into the 'desperation' one, I wrote back to the GP immediately - I wrote as opposed to called as I was furious. I heard nothing so, two weeks later had a meeting with the Practice Manager. The matter was, sort of, resolved when the PM emailed me to say the GP is now 'satisfied'. While I am still pissed off it's on my records they are incredibly reluctant to remove letters.
I think I might book an apt with the GP who started it all in the first place and explain. The diabetes team can back me up totally, but I really resent having to worry about this. The GP really displayed a lack of knowledge re diabetes, many confuse it with the more common a Type 2, with the letter tbh as none of what he was assuming tallied up with what he had on record (excellent blood results, no complications, not even smaller issues you'd get with bad control such as thrush or UTI's.)
We are only at the VERY beginning of the process at the moment, but I want it iron things out sooner rather than later!

I don't generally need to ever see a GP, hence I don't have one I trust, no

I didn't think the panel would see my medical records but I do wonder if the GP, whoever it is, who does the medical will see the previous letters and raise red flags.
As I say, I am totally in the clear, completely so, but am angry it may influence or complicate things (like it influenced the treatment they initially offered for my ear infection)

I don't generally see a GP either, except had been for fertility issues but she couldn't do my medical appointment. My doctor's surgery had never done an adoption medical but the idea of me adopting was, and I quote, 'such an amazing thing for me to do' that I actually got offered a cup of tea and the doctor was going to go make it himself! Best doctors appointment ever, NHS too! I think your idea of explaining upfront with your doctor your concerns and then booking the medical with same doctor is a good one, you never know, they'll probably be quite helpful :)

I'd be reluctant to move surgeries as they will get your notes sent across anyway. If this does raise an issue your evidence from hospital can be shown to your sw. If sw asks about health be upfront that this could be on medical and that the issue was wrong but as you don't have one doctor who knows you well, it may get highlighted when it shouldn't (if your visit to doctors doesn't satisfy you that it's sorted)

I probably am being a bit over the top concerning myself with it, but it's good to get an idea of the process now and be a bit prepared.

I was so annoyed, well still am, at being suddenly labelled as such a cause for concern - the whole letter implies I've ignored countless requests for me to come in, lied about seeing the diabetic nurses (I said I see them when I have an issue as they are specialists, not GP's but they had no recent records of me seeing them as I hadn't had issues, not because I was lying about seeing them!) - it went on and ON!

I think an apt with the GP who wrote it, I will try and not rant at him, so find out how he's going to amend things might be a good idea now well before time.

And I'm with Thefamilyjammies in that I wouldn't worry about it :)

Good to hear!

My experience has been the GP completes the medical and is likely to put their concerns on the report. The agency have their own medical adviser who will read the report and pick up on anything that requires further exploration. At this point I would expect them to contact your diabetes consultant or clinic rather than the GP. So I think it will be raised but I wouldn't worry as they will get the clarity from the "experts" . Be prepared for panel to mention it though and give the explanation you have done and I'm sure it will be fine. Good luck.

Thanks!

The GP completes the medical reports, but from the sounds of your diabetes team I'm sure they'd be happy to write a supporting letter. That would override whatever strange ideas the GP has concocted about your 'lack of engagement' and so you should be fine. Be upfront with the SW about it as soon as you can and explain you have all your care at the hospital.

As for not giving you antibiotics...

Good luck!

I think it'd be really churlish for your gp to write anything negative in your medical on the basis of that misunderstanding, it's meant to be factual info and it sounds like both the practise manager and your hospital team are more than happy with your approach. My gp wrote the report while I was there and we worked together on some of the wording, so maybe ask to do the same? I wouldn't worry either ( but I'd be very tempted to change surgery!).

Nancery - I actually had some concerns about my medical because of a fairly recent bout of depression and so asked him to tell me what he was going to wrote in advance - before putting pen to paper. He was more than happy to. Don't let this get you down (easier said than done...I know) .

It's great to know I can probably see what may go in it. I had visions of something about my supposed uncooperation etc being sent off and then me having to go to lengths to get it sorted.