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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

GP is forcing me to go for an appointment

200 replies

alwaysprepare · 11/08/2017 17:00

Don't like going to dr's or hospitals, never have. Moved to a new town and was told I need to have a dr appointment if me and the kids are to be accepted.
What would they find to refuse us a place? If I have cancer or an infectious disease, does that mean they won't accept us? Why is this linked to my children who do not have an appointment?

I ask because I have had 4 GPs in London over 15+ Years and have been advised to do a check up with the nurse, but never once obliged to take this appointment or else...........

Also, we are just not sick people. We had the usual coughs, noro, etc, nothing you cannot treat with over the counter medicine. Been to the hospital for a broken arm, but do not go to dr unless it's an absolute emergency- I am talking post baby years here. Still all this was no problem with previous GPs, they only saw us when we made an appointment. It seems like a waste, when that time could have been given to someone who actually feels they need it.

OP posts:
Youcanttaketheskyfromme · 11/08/2017 17:01

It's normal. I've always had to have one Confused

Brittbugs80 · 11/08/2017 17:05

Don't register with a Dr if you don't want to then. There's no legal requirement for anyone to register with a GP.

User0ne · 11/08/2017 17:06

Sounds pretty normal to me, though at my GPs that type of appointment is done by the nurse.

If it bothers you that much I'd probably just cancel it on the morning of the appointment (chances are they won't send you out a new one).

MikeUniformMike · 11/08/2017 17:10

You do need to register with a GP. Go for the appointment. IIRC it won't be anything difficult, they just need to see you in person.

Original poster
alwaysprepare · 11/08/2017 17:11

I have no problem with getting out of it myself, problem is that they told me they would take my kids off too. Another surgery is quite far. Though we do have a hospital not too far.
We have not been to GPs in over 3yrs running, but for the kids would like to be registered in case.

OP posts:
Migraleve · 11/08/2017 17:11

If I have cancer or an infectious disease, does that mean they won't accept us?

No, that would mean they would refer you to hospital specialists Confused

AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 11/08/2017 17:11

It will be ten minutes of your life. Is is really that much of a chore to go?

ShatnersBassoon · 11/08/2017 17:12

It's not so they can decide whether to take you or not, it's to foster a relationship with you and your family with the aim of improving the standard of care offered in the future. It's not a trick or anything to be cautious of.

SpartacusSaiman · 11/08/2017 17:13

My doctors do this.

If you want access to a GP, just do it.

Haffdonga · 11/08/2017 17:15

So that they can have a baseline of what's normal for you and pick up on any issues that may need keeping an eye on. Why wouldn't you want to meet your GP and have a quick check up? Confused

FuzzyOwl · 11/08/2017 17:16

It isn't a trick appointment to try and catch you out or anything. It will just be a quick general health check and it is fairly standard these days. If it is that important to you that your children are registered there (and children can only be registered at a surgery that their parent or guardian is registered at) then just go.

footballmum · 11/08/2017 17:18

I presume its because you are new patients and they want to see you to check you're real people (I believe to protect against prescription fraud) plus don't all medical professionals and schools now have multi-agency care obligations for safeguarding reasons? I can't understand what your problem is? We all have to do things we don't particularly like or find inconvenient but in this case, that is the price you have to pay for free healthcare.

Jaxhog · 11/08/2017 17:20

Go. It's nice that your new Doc wants to meet you all. They'll do a basic health check e.g. blood pressure, check if anything concerns you etc. It's a good thing.

The only reason they'd reject you is if you've had major problems with a previous Doc. Like being disruptive etc. Not for being ill!

Hulder · 11/08/2017 17:22

It's normal. It's to check you are a) real people and b) do some health screening like telling you to stop smoking if you are and suggesting the kids have their jabs if they haven't.

Normal.

Also if you do have any existing health problems eg asthma, diabetes etc to make sure you are enrolled into their clinics and not slipping through the net.

Appointment is for your benefit.

Viviennemary · 11/08/2017 17:22

This is common practice. It's quite sensible really. I don't see what your problem is. You don't want to be labelled as one of THOSE patients before you even get there.

PuppyMonkey · 11/08/2017 17:23

YABU not to go just for a quick check up and a chat.

You say you never get ill but that doesn't mean you neve will in future. What about vaccinations and smears etc too?

MoosicalDaisy · 11/08/2017 17:24

A basic health check would be beneficial, besides it will probably just be a questionnaire with the nurse, so what?

But fgs if you decide to cancel please do it on the day before not ON the day.

HeyRoly · 11/08/2017 17:24

It's a formality.

You should probably accept that such a deep distrust of a simple, non-invasive registration chat with a GP is not normal. Would you be willing to discuss your anxiety while you're there?

CotswoldStrife · 11/08/2017 17:24

They are asking to see you. How does that mean they are looking for a get-out clause?! They can refuse patients if they are full, they wouldn't take up their own time inviting you to an appointment (or 'forcing' in your terms) if they were not putting you on their list.

Fairenuff · 11/08/2017 17:26

What is your actual reason for not wanting to be registered OP?

Coconutspongexo · 11/08/2017 17:27

It's not an admissions test.
It's often done with a nurse but differs depending on the practice.
They want to meet you, get to know you and your baseline health. It's nothing to worry about and if you did have any underlying issues they can refer you to the appropriate hospital/specialist what not

sparechange · 11/08/2017 17:27

My surgery insists on seeing you in person before they will register you. They make you do a health questionnaire, take your blood pressure and weigh you.

My district nurse SIL thinks it's because they get paid for doing a 'health check' as well as registering a patient.

I doubt they use it as grounds to turn anyone away, but my GP point blank refused to register anyone without this check

PoopyPanda · 11/08/2017 17:27

What would they find to refuse us a place? If I have cancer or an infectious disease, does that mean they won't accept us? Why is this linked to my children who do not have an appointment?

They're not looking for anything, certainly not to refuse you a place. They want to meet you, check you are a real person, ask some general health questions (alcohol, smoking etc) and make sure what you say matches up with the notes they've been sent.

I'm curious as to why you are so anxious about it?

Coconutspongexo · 11/08/2017 17:28

Btw there is no way in hell you going for this they would be able to tell if you had cancer.

Original poster
alwaysprepare · 11/08/2017 17:29

I thought I was checked if I'm real when I came to register with my paperwork, IDs etc. They also have my medical history on record as all my GPs had my history from before on some NHS records.
If they are so friendly, why are they punishing my kids for my DR phobia (from lack of a better word, phobia is too strong a word, ignore its literal meaning).

OP posts: