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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:
AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 11/08/2017 17:31

But surely you take the kids to the dr for jabs and checks?

Heatherbell1978 · 11/08/2017 17:32

Sounds like you might need to discuss your mental health with a GP so probably an idea to go.

FuzzyOwl · 11/08/2017 17:33

What about your children's other parent? They can be registered at that doctor surgery if you prefer.

NicolasFlamel · 11/08/2017 17:34

tbh it's a bit suspect that you're so reluctant to let a GP see your kids for a quick booking appointment Confused

ememem84 · 11/08/2017 17:34

My new gp did this. You have an initial appointment (free - we pay for all our appointments here £40 a go...) so they can meet you go through your notes etc and just have a general chat about things. Nothing to worry about. It's fairly normal.

lovemylover · 11/08/2017 17:36

Cant see what the problem is, its normal ,
If you dont go and you need an appointment later you wont get one
Just because you havent needed one before doesnt mean you never will
No one likes going to the Drs, but sometimes neccessary

AcademicOwl · 11/08/2017 17:36

Go. At least you can still register with a gp. If they do vote for industrial action you won't be able to...

tomatotornado · 11/08/2017 17:39

I went as like you they said my kids couldn't have a gp unless I went.

Utter waste of time but very quick. Never saw an actual doctor but nurse who went through my forms and said I'd need to see the doctor for anything, you know, to do with my health. Hmm. Literally she just read my answers back to me and typed them into her creaking computer. 3 years later they still are trying to find our notes that I've photocopied for them twice already.

Since then none of my family have seen a doctor there. On the rare occasion I've saw fit to do the ridiculous phone 59 times in 5 minutes at 8.32 and 5 seconds to get an appointment, when I've taken the kids we have seen a health practitioner. Who said they might be ill so perhaps they should see a doctor. Angry I've ended up using our private thing but I feel a bit pissed at the amount of tax we pay (I know I know).

Whole system is a joke. Overpaid and irresponsible idiots who think that everyone still has 2 hours lunches and works half day on a Wednesday.

You have to go because the system has taken over. It doesn't matter that the system doesn't work or help many people but it's the system and nobody beats the system.

I however would love just one person to make a huge fuss and get us all to take a look at ourselves and why we accept this sorry charade. (End of rantGrin)

BalloonSlayer · 11/08/2017 17:40

why are they punishing my kids for my DR phobia

So, why are YOU punishing your kids for your DR phobia?

CotswoldStrife · 11/08/2017 17:40

You use very dramatic (and untruthful, IMO) language OP - forcing, punishing - it's simply not true.

Is that why your children don't see the doctor, because of you? How is that fair? It makes the GP's insistence of an appointment sound better not worse!

IKnewItWasBullshitAllAlong · 11/08/2017 17:42

Stop being a big baby.

Orangebird69 · 11/08/2017 17:42

Tbh op you sound like you need a gp to deal with the anxiety you have. Yabu.

NancyJoan · 11/08/2017 17:43

why are they punishing my kids for my DR phobia

They are not, you are.

PollyFlint · 11/08/2017 17:44

It's just a straightforward registration appointment?! It's not some sort of trap or a test or anything. It's just routine and it will probably take 10 - 15 minutes at the absolute most.

OP, you sound really anxious and defensive about this. Do you have a phobia about doctors? Is there something that's made you frightened?

While it's great that all your kids have been lucky enough not to need a single ailment in three years that has required any medical treatment, it's quite unusual. Haven't you had to take them in for vaccinations or anything like that? You're talking about it more as if it's a badge of honour - but there's really no shame in a kid needing to see the GP occasionally. And what about smear tests? Haven't you been for one of those? They're every three years.

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

Of course not. And they won't be able to tell if you have. You'll only be going for a registration appointment and filling in a few forms. They won't be taking samples and doing tests. They won't even examine you.

NancyJoan · 11/08/2017 17:44

Do you take your children to the dentist?

wrenika · 11/08/2017 17:47

I thought this was common practice.

For me, the introductory 'registration' appointment with a GP turned out to be the one that got me referral for much needed therapy and finding out I was autistic not nuts! So they aren't a waste of time!

PollyFlint · 11/08/2017 17:48

If they are so friendly, why are they punishing my kids for my DR phobia

How is it 'punishing' your children to want them to be seen by a doctor when they register? It's a good thing that your children are seen by a doctor and a few routine questions are asked. It's for the good of your children.

Are you seriously saying that you won't register your children with a doctor if you have to enter a GP's surgery to do so??

LaArdilla · 11/08/2017 17:49

They just want to talk to you, jeez. They ask nice questions like "Do you have any conditions?" or "Hey, tell me about yourself."

If you 'hate' it so much cower at home and don't register.

Maybe you could talk to them about your paranoia and anxiety while you're there.

LesbianBadger · 11/08/2017 17:50

It's not a punishment. It's standard procedure in every practice I've dealt with.
It's basically to take your basic medical history down.

Your notes do not always arrive from previous surgeries and if you are ill it's a nightmare to have to get all this information at the point you are in need of help.

Just do it. It's an hour of your time max and then you don't need to worry if anyone is ill.

You can get help when not registered but you have a lot less choice as doctors are not obliged to see you so you are more
Likely to end up in a 3 hour queue at a walk in centre.

alfagirl73 · 11/08/2017 17:53

No one is forcing you to do anything, but it is pretty normal to be asked to go for an initial check up when registering with a new GP.

Yes, they have your records, but your new surgery has a duty of care to you as their patient. By having an initial check up they can check the usual stuff - blood pressure etc... and they can record the information themselves and be confident that the information they have is current and correct. These days, simply relying on the last information from your last GP (which you state is about 3 years old!), unfortunately is not enough anymore.

In any event, given that it's so long since you've been to the GP surely it's worth 10 mins of inconvenience to just make sure everything is okay? If nothing else it teaches your children to take responsibility for themselves and their well-being. Plus you would have to take the kids to the GP anyway so you'll still have to go!

I hate going to the doctor too - many people do - but what they are asking is not unreasonable - it's to protect you AND them.

Original poster
alwaysprepare · 11/08/2017 17:55

This thread has been absolutely twisted.
So far no one has come up with a reason of why It's absolutely vital why GPs cannot register you without seeing you for an appointment first. Since as I had said, I never needed this before, and it most definitely was never linked to me being registered or my children.

Maybe we can stick to that topic rather than trying to analyse or slam my mental health.

OP posts:
HeyRoly · 11/08/2017 17:57

This is a phobia - no need to minimise it.

PuppyMonkey · 11/08/2017 17:57

People have come up with lots of reasons. Confused

KungFuPandaWorksOut16 · 11/08/2017 17:58

When I changed doctors it was an "MOT" as my doctor called it and was nothing to worry about.
It was his chance to introduce himself and me introduce myself.
He checked my height and weight.
My blood pressure.
And made sure everything and My files was correct and up to date.

MsPassepartout · 11/08/2017 18:00

Every time I've registered at a new GP practice, I've had to attend an appointment for a basic health check to complete the registration. Usually with a nurse rather than a GP.

It's a routine practice, and really not a big deal. Basic checks on things like weight, blood pressure, urine dip test, quick chat about medical history, medications, how much (if at all) do you drink / smoke, and off you go, all registered and able to make GP appointments whenever needed.

It might feel like a waste of time if you're generally healthy, but I don't see why going would be a major problem, if that's what it takes to get you registered so you have access to a GP if needed.

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