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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to complain about this doctor

12 replies

gastromum · 25/04/2014 13:17

My 12yo DD has a number of medical issues. One of these is she has a delayed gastric emptying. This basically means her stomach does not empty as fast as it should. She is under specialists at a children's' hospital in London.

She has been steadily suffering from worse symptoms, the main one being constant nausea. She's not actually sick, just feels so very sick all the time. She's on a whole host of medicines, but they do not seem to control it for her. Her consultant is aware of these, he changed her meds around during her last consult in Feb. We follow his advice re. Medicines, diet, little and often meals etc.

The past few weeks the waves of nausea are increasing, to the point that she is not coping at all. She's not sleeping, she has styes come up on her eye and she's basically running on empty. It came to a head on Tuesday night when I called 101 for advice on how I could help her. They said because of the meds she was on, there was nothing they could do, and to take her to the hospital where her consultant was based. We did this, and they said they gave her an injection. It didn't really have any effect. They said they would email the consultant and I would receive a call the following day.

No call. I called the secretary, left a VM regarding the situation, requesting a call back. I received a call from a registrar on Thursday afternoon. Explained the situation, he said he would need to speak to consultant. He called back and said that she would need to take another med. she was taken off this particular med because she had a reaction to it - stomach cramps, dizziness, dry heaving. I explained this, but the doctor was dismissive. Said to try again. Fair enough I said, but how long should I give it? What do I do if it has the same effect? You can discuss it in clinic he said. When I queried when that was, he said it would be a few months! I said that wasn't acceptable, the symptoms are making her so miserable, they are preventing her from going to school and she is just so so fed up. His response was a very sarky "well what do you want us to do, what should we do"? I replied I didn't know, but giving her a med that she already had an adverse reaction to, and a vague appointment in a few months did not seem in her best interests. He replied by saying there was nothing he could do, goodbye, he would fax the prescription to my GP. I stress I was not rude on the phone to him in any way. 24 hours later, no prescription.

I called the Consultant's secretary again and said I was not happy and we needed more help. No answer as yet.

I know that there are children far far worse than she is. But she is suffering. She's making the connection between food and feeling sick. She doesn't want to eat. She is so unhappy. She is due loping eye styes from being run down.

What do I do now? Do I complain about this doctor and alienate the whole gastro team? AIBU in expecting more help, and expecting it sooner rather than later? How do I help my girl?

OP posts:
3littlefrogs · 25/04/2014 13:20

Is your GP supportive?
If so I would go back to your GP and ask them to speak to the team.
I am sorry your dd is so ill.

eightyearsonhere · 25/04/2014 13:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WooWooOwl · 25/04/2014 13:28

No, don't complain about the doctor. They are probably doing the best they can with very limited time and resources.

Stuff like this is happening all over the NHS, I don't think anyone who isn't in an emergency life or death situation gets a high standard of care in hospitals, and certainly not as quickly as should happen.

I would contact pals and say that you're concerned about the medication you have been prescribed, but I doubt there's much that can be done about the length of the waiting lst for the clinic.

If you can afford it, go private.

gastromum · 25/04/2014 13:29

Yes, it was the reg.
We turned up at the hospital A&e on Tuesday, but they wouldn't admit her. They said they have the noravirus on the ward and didn't want her picking it up.

I'm going to put another call in the the secretary, and will then go to my GP and ask them to help. Will not mention the registrar's comments just yet.

Thank you

OP posts:
tortoisesarefab · 25/04/2014 13:29

try your hospital pals team. they are usually very good but approach it as you need help for your dd rather thencomplaining. hope she feels better soon

gastromum · 25/04/2014 13:30

Can't afford private

OP posts:
gastromum · 25/04/2014 13:32

Thank you for your advice. I do appreciate the pressures they are under. I think you are all right, a complaint won't help anyone. I just want to help for my DD,

OP posts:
Twighlightsparkle · 25/04/2014 13:35

really can sympathise.

my daughter has gastro issues and is now complrtly tube fed.

It has taken me years to work out the issue is lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of Dr's.

So little is known about these disorders and very little research is done. to me it feels like no one cares.

we went private to see the "top2 gastro consultant, he still didnt have a clue how to help or proceed. we are now waiting on referral to GOSH, doubtful of any help.

sorry not helping much, just want o say your not alone.

Sirzy · 25/04/2014 13:36

I would complain about the doctor. He seemingly didn't listen to your concerns and isn't willing to follow up.

DS had issues with a new med prescribed by his consultants registrar a few months back (different illness though). It took a while to get to speak to the consultant (understandable they are busy) but he arranged a new drug for him to change and said if any issues phone back and they would bring his appointment forward even though it was only 6 weeks away anyway.

They should listen to parents and respond to their concerns not be dismissive. If a problem is worsening then they should bring the appointment forward as much as possible

longjane · 25/04/2014 13:37

Do you know if the consultant is in the hospital at moment he could off sick / holiday /working somewhere else.
have you told consultant secret ary the full details. You don't want a call back but appointment. soon.

Mouldypineapple · 25/04/2014 13:38

I agree, PALS are worth calling. They can contact the relevant people and are duty bound to come back to you. Worth a chat with your GP too so they are familiar with her current situation and they would potentially contact the hospital for you too. She sounds as though she needs an examination too in case the symptoms are linked to something new.

GreenPetal94 · 25/04/2014 14:45

I wouldn't complain about this doctor as such, but I would perservere and ask to speak to the consultant. Ring each day if necessary.

I hope she can feel less sick soon, sounds horrible.

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