AIBU to refuse? Am I even allowed?

[PenguinBear]

There is a doctor at my surgery who does minor surgery. I suppose it's cheaper than booking people in through the hospital etc.

He is very opinionated and doesn't like people who are in anyway overweight. apparently every condition is because you're fat. (it's well known amongst patients so unless you're stick thin you avoid him).

If my GP refers me, can I say no I dont want to see him and can they refer me to the hospital? It's his specialist area but I am in no way comfortable having him treat me.

I am not very forceful so tips on how to refuse would be greatly appreciated.

AIBU to do this? am I allowed?

I would think you were in your right

I won't see one gp at my surgery because she is rude and patronising and rolled her eyes at me for not bfing

You can ask but you might be persuaded to go with the doctor that normally does this procedure, especially if you don't have a good reason. It will cost your surgery a lot more to refer you to the hospital and your reason really should be valid. Could you just grit your teeth and go through with it because it is to make you better. Or go private - if you think it is worth the extra money then maybe you could pay it yourself.

You have every right to refuse treatment from anyone.

PALS have been rebranded as customer services in some trusts now, I would seek advice from them about how to word your refusal and to educate yourself in case the referring Dr tries to rebuff you so you know your rights and can express them.

On another note, if multiple people have experienced this Dr's attitude I would be writing a letter to the practice manager cc'ing in whoever PALS are now. He's hardly going to treat you any worse and I bet his colleagues have bought it up and being ignored. Concerns/complaints from within the NHS don't get treated half as seriously as those raised by patients so a lot of the time staff are hoping a patient has the energy to raise it.

Yes, you can. I did exactly this after a very distressing experience with a 'specialist' GP.

When my lovely GP wanted to refer me to him again I said"No, I will not see Dr Y under any circumstances". She asked why, and I simply said that I did not want to. She asked gently whether I could tell her why, I said that I would if I had to, but I would prefer not to. She accepted this and asked whether I would be willing to see another doctor in that specialism. I was, and that was the end of it.

TBH I surprised myself at my firm, calm, and un hesitating rejection! I didn't think I had it in me.

Of course you are. Just say "I'd like to be referred to hospital please" and if the gp objects explain why.

But what is the complaint exactly? Write to PALS and complain that the GP tells people to lose weight? I understand the OP not wanting to see him because this makes her uncomfortable but writing letters of complaint about it will make the OP look foolish.

NHS constitution given you the right for patient choice ( its on NHS Choices) for outpatient and inpatient care.
Doesn't matter what local contracts they have ( and I wouldn't necessarily assume the GP is cheaper to do the same procedure)

BTW local referral might also be offered because it can be faster than hospital referral. It was in my case: 2-3w wait for the specialist GP, 2-3months for the hospital referral.

Some minor ops are funded at the GP but not in hospital so you may have to be prepared to do it privately if you won't see this GP.

First of all, make a complaint about him. He sounds horrendous.

Second of all, you have the right to refuse being treated by anyone at any time.

Do you actually have personal experience of being patronised by this GP, or are you just basing your disinclination on what you've heard from other people? If the former, I would write and complain. If the latter, I still think you should avoid seeing him as worrying about how he might treat you is bound to make a stressful experience worse. You could try FullFridge's approach.

The last time I told a Dr that I didn't like the manner of one of his colleagues he agreed with me! And gave me extra reassurance where she gave me none. Your GP might be more than sympathetic, and if what you say is true then you won't be the first or the last to mention it.

Having worked with a rather - hmm - abrasive doctor, the other GPs in the practice will probably be quite used to this! Iloveafullfridge did it perfectly - you don't want to put the GP in a position where they feel they have to defend their colleague. Saying something like 'I'm aware Dr X is excellent clinically in this area, but I don't wish to see him again under any circumstances and I'd prefer to go to the hospital'. Then immediately ask a question about the treatment (recovery time, side effects or whatever). You've made your point and moved on, which will probably be more comfortable for both of you and save having to explain yourself too much.

"But what is the complaint exactly?"

If the doctors attitude is rude/aggressive/patronising then they clearly need to have some training or at the very least have it pointed out to them so they have the opportunity to reflect.

I can't argue that advising people to lose weight is unavoidable, but it has absolutely no impact if you give the impression that's all your seeing during a consultation. It's a waste of everyones time.

Bedside manner is an important part of clinical care - telling a diabetic to lose weight will probably have a massive positive impact on their health, it doesn't however do much for controlling their sugars in the immediate and a patient is highly likely to just avoid any clinician who makes that their focus in every conversation and offers it up as a solution for every symptom.

If you don't want this GP to do the procedure then yes, refuse. Ask to be referred to hospital instead. If he's as bad as he sounds then I bet you won't be the first patient to have done this.

Thing is penguin bear, and as a fat person myself I understand where you are coming from, he is right. Obesity and over weight contribute to a lot of conditions and if anything I do think people need to be constantly reminded. Personally I find I need regular kicks up the bum to even try to keep on top of my weight and of anyone gps have responsibilities in that area. That said if he says anything deliberately hurtful - think Fat Fighters in little Britain - then he needs censure and definitely folks should be complaining.

99 balloons - Whether or not the OP would benefit medically from losing weight, there is no place at a minor surgery appointment for him to be discussing her weight. (I wonder if he would?) Rather he should be concentrating on relaxing and reassuring the patient before and during.

Furthermore if fear of weight being constantly mentioned makes patients avoid visiting their GP a great disservice has been done. It's like people avoiding dentists because they are scared of 'the lecture' about 'not flossing' say.

But Ukatlast by the sounds of things she has never met him ever and if she has it has not been during a minor surgery. Based on hearsay from other patients who he sees probably within the confines of his regular clinics he comments on patients weights which is as it should be as overweight and obesity should be addressed by the NHS. And your dentist flossing point makes no sense yes dentists should tell people to floss rather than fear non flossers sensibilities.

Just to derail slightly I havent been for either a mammogram (ever) or a smear (more than 20 years) because at our surgery the doctor goes on about weight at every opportunity. Does he think I dont know that I need to do something?

Well I'm sorry, but you need to grow a pair isthis. The cervical screening system has saved thousands of lives, and you are doing a disservice to yourself and your loved ones by not looking after your own health

If the op has never seen him then its unfair to judge him. Maybe he does talk to other patients about their weight, but if he thinks their weight are causing the majority of the problems then he needs to! Maybe its the patients that just dont want to hear this. Yes some may know they
Need to lose weight but if they're not doing anything about it maybe he had to remind them.
Btw im no skinny minnie

Is this then you need to go!dont put it off that doesnt lead to anything!'how will you feel if you have something wrong? Maybe the doc is concerned about your health? What kind of doctor would not mention your weight if theyre concerned about you?

Sorry but this is not a Trust issue so PALS will not be able to help you - they are attached to the hospital trusts, not GP surgeries.

You can ask your GP to refer you elsewhere but if they have a specialist in their surgery who performs a procedure they'll be very reluctant to spend money for you to go elsewhere, when perfectly good care can be provided right there.

If the care giver is rude to you - rather than you just think they don't like you or have heard that he's rude to others - then make a formal complaint to the practice.

Isthis, is he the only GP in your surgery? Stop making excuses, make the appointment first thing on Monday!