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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for a different GP

16 replies

BabyMonkeyBrains · 04/06/2014 08:41

NC for this.

last year i discovered i was, I worked out from my last period that i was about 6 weeks pregnant. I started to get used to the idea of having a child but sadly i woke up one morning about 7 and half weeks and realised i was bleeding it wasn't a lot just very light spotting so i kept an eye on it for the day.I visted my doctors surgery the next day as the bleeding persissted. i was booked for an 'emergancy' appointment and was waiting for 2 and a half hours to be seen.

I explained to the gp about being pregnant (15 postive tests over about a week and a half) and the bleeding etc. she wanted me to take another test so i did a sample she dipped it and just blunty says " oh,it's negative looks like you have miscarried. " i didn't really know what to say i was just in floods of tears. she then went on to say " you could take another urine test in the morning to see if that one is positive" i grasped at that hope and asked if the blood in my urine could be giving me a false reading. she then laughed at me, shook her head saying no and opened the door for me to leave. All with a big cheery smile on her face.

I fell pregnant again very shortly afterwards ( turns out just 2 weeks after my MC started) I had horrendous morning sickness and was hospitalised for a week on IV's. i thought i was just sick until they told me i was pregnant and diagnosed me with HG.
when i got home the sickness persisted so decided to go back to the gp for some anti-sickness meds she told me that 'morning sickness is not as bad as i make out she has 4 children she knows how it feels.' It took me all i had to resist snapping. i hadn't eaten without being sick for weeks i couldn't keep anything at all down including water. i swollowed a very very small chunk of ice and i was sick so quickly it was still frozen coming back up!! i couldnt stand straight i could barely hold my own head up i was that dehydrated again yet she had the audacity to claim 'it isn't that bad'

i just avoided my gp from then on. the midwife unit was across town anyway so besides perscriptions ( which the hopsital gave me after my seond admission) they could do all my care.

but now months later my DS is 5 months old and my partner is urging me to go to a doctor regarding personal/embarrassing 'issues' which exsisted way before DS and i had ignored for years. I wont go to the doctor on the basis of not wanting to desribe such personal things to that woman. I asked the receptionist if i could change doctors after the MC incident but apparently this is not possible so WIBU to insist demandto change doctors or perhaps even go to a completely different surgery ?

I'm sorry it's so long.

OP posts:
BabyMonkeyBrains · 04/06/2014 08:42

and appologies for what i am sure will be tons of mistakes with my grammar. I've had just 2 hours of sleep so my heads just not with it.

OP posts:
lyndie · 04/06/2014 08:44

I'm sorry you've had a bad experience but you are perfectly entitled to register with a different surgery or ask for a different doctor. Out of interest did you complain or talk to the GP or practice manager about how you felt?

BabyMonkeyBrains · 04/06/2014 08:48

lyndie i briefly explained to a nurse who found me crying as i coming out of the bathroom she said 'it will be looked into' and to be honest i just wanted to get out of there so didn't question or persist further.

OP posts:
mindthegap79 · 04/06/2014 08:49

I'm so sorry you've had to go through this OP. You are well within your rights to request a different gp or change practices if you prefer. However I would make a written complaint to the practice manager, and request a new gp within your letter. Good luck!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 04/06/2014 08:49

Is there only one doctor at your practice? There are a few at mine so I'd wait for an appointment with a different one.

BabyMonkeyBrains · 04/06/2014 08:50

lyndia and i fully explained to both a receptionist and another doctor ( i think?) why i wanted to see a different doctor when i booked for the sickness.

OP posts:
BabyMonkeyBrains · 04/06/2014 08:51

testing no, there is aleast 5-6! i just dont understand why they wont let me switch.

OP posts:
ThisFenceIsComfy · 04/06/2014 08:52

You are entitled to see a different GP in the same practice or change surgeries completely.

sooperdooper · 04/06/2014 08:54

At most surgeries you can see whichever GP you want, and if you want to move to a new practice you can do

notaflamingclue · 04/06/2014 08:56

Complain to the practice manager in writing and demand to change GPs. Do it in your letter if you want to. The practice manager is duty bound to properly investigate your complaint and respond within 30 days - and must acknowledge your letter within 2 or 3 working days. I'm a practice manager and if I received such a complaint I'd just change your named GP straightaway in the meantime.

If the full response you receive after 30 days is not adequate in your eyes, enlist the help of the Community Health Council and even the Public Ombudsman if you need to.

kali110 · 04/06/2014 08:59

You're entitled to see whatever doc you wish! I avoid a certain doctor after very bad appointment a decade ago. Ring up and ask to book in with a different doctor don't say anything about switching.

BabyMonkeyBrains · 04/06/2014 08:59

thankyou nota i will do that. have i not left it too long though?

OP posts:
CarmineRose1978 · 04/06/2014 09:00

If they won't let you see one of the other GPs at the practice, do switch. Sounds like an unempathetic nightmare.

My practice has three locations and about 10 GPs so basically you can wait to see the one you like best when she/he is available, or just call and ask to see any of them whenever there's an appointment free. I do have a "named" doctor but she's not one of the ones I like best... in fact I don't think I've ever even seen her. Maybe the bad GP is your "named" doctor, and they won't let you change that, but they should still let you see any of the other docs.

I have an ongoing condition though, so I go every month or so...

Tangerinefairy · 04/06/2014 09:04

You know what I would suggest? Change surgeries completely. When you've had a horrible experience or more with a Dr it is good to have a fresh start. I did this a year ago after enduring 2 years of horrible, dismissive treatment by my GP when I had a serious health problem. I was being treated at the hospital but had to see her in between appts. She could not have been more dismissive. It really did impact so negatively on my recovery.

In the end I left the practise and from the first appointment with my new GP it was like stepping into a new world! She was patient, understanding, respectful and took time to explain things to me. She has been the most amazing support to me during my recovery. Ask friends for their reccomendations, you do not have to put up with this. It is absolutely horrible feeling as if you are dreading seeing your Dr when you are ill. Take care.

Tangerinefairy · 04/06/2014 09:06

Sorry, practice!

Rainbunny · 04/06/2014 17:17

Oh gosh, yes please do not put up with this GP anymore. I'm TTC and I can't imagine how I would feel if my GP treated me the way this GP treated you. I would lean towards changing practices alltogether really, the attitude of the practice so far is not helpful and you shouldn't have to fight so hard just to change GPs.

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