Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be absolutely fuming at my GPs?

234 replies

metsa · 26/03/2019 17:16

My baby will turn 6 weeks old on 3rd April. The GP surgery called me when I was first home to give me details on how to register her and told me that someone will be in touch to arrange her 6 week check. So I waited until today, with no contact from them, and finally decided I can't wait any longer so I decided to arrange this appointment myself.

Well apparently the soonest appointment they have is 16th April! I am fuming. I had a cesarean and I cannot drive. I live in a village. My partner works long hours 50 miles from where we live and is a contractor so doesn't get paid for days he doesn't go into work. I am totally stranded. I have missed one blood test for me and one for the baby already simply because there is no way for me to get to them. I will have missed the due date on another 2 blood tests by the time of this appointment.

And to make it worse my in laws are coming for the week of 8th April. I will no have no choice but to sit at home with them all week since I can't drive them anywhere. We can walk around the village but nowhere else.

I am fuming because this is not a surprise need for an appointment or a whim I have. This is essential and has been known about for weeks. If I hadn't contacted the GP today I have no idea when or if they would have contacted me. I feel utterly isolated and let down. AIBU?

OP posts:
TheInvestigator · 26/03/2019 17:36

What stopped you getting a taxi to your appointments? It's your own fault you've missed your blood tests because you didn't find an alternative way to get there.

Baconcob · 26/03/2019 17:36

So how will you get to the GP then if you can’t drive until they sign you off?

Why couldn’t you have got a taxi for previous appointments?

Bookworm4 · 26/03/2019 17:37

So you're angry the appointment isn't until 16/4, how we're you planning to get to a sooner one anyway? Book a bloody taxi and stop being a princess.

Nicknacky · 26/03/2019 17:37

dworky The poster was referring to her not driving after a c section........

Baconcob · 26/03/2019 17:38

What blood tests did your baby miss?

iolaus · 26/03/2019 17:38

The check on the baby is done between 6 and 8 weeks - your baby will be 7 weeks and 6 days - so bang on time

Often the GPs will do a clinic either once a week or once a fortnight with all babies between those ages on the same day - so if you hadn't rung you may well have got an appointment through the post on the exact same day. I know my GP practice they do it every other week, and we got a letter through about 2 weeks beforehand with each of the kids

PoliticalBiscuit · 26/03/2019 17:38

Write a letter, care of the practice manager with a date on it, ask your husband to hand deliver it on his way to work. Advise them that you and baby need a check up it was due on X date and you've been advised it needs to be on Y date.

Let them know that your insurance company considers you unfit to drive until a doctor advises you otherwise and you are afraid of the effects of isolation on your post natal mental health, as well as practical matters of needing to drive baby to appointments such as the 8 week vaccinations. Ask them to contact you on Z number if she still is unable to see you any sooner and whether you're advised to access 111 for an out of hours GP appoinment.

Or as above, a telephone appointment might be sufficient to sign you off to be free to drive.

KurriKurri · 26/03/2019 17:39

Can you put your inlaws on your insurance so they can drive you around ? (it isn't much bother to do that for a short period of time)

MoveOnTheCards · 26/03/2019 17:39

Just saw your update. That’s unusual for an insurer but if that’s what they said...

In that case you just need to suck it up and go on nice walks until your GP fills in whatever form they need. Being kind I know it’s all quite overwhelming with a tiny baby but you’ll quickly need to just take responsibility and ownership of things like appointments etc.

CarpetGate · 26/03/2019 17:39

Why can't you drive? The no driving for 6 weekd thing is a myth - check on your insurance provider's faq page.

Nicknacky · 26/03/2019 17:39

Why did you miss blood tests for your baby?

AllTheFours44 · 26/03/2019 17:41

If you can’t drive by the appointment date, how were you planning to drive to the earlier 6 week appointment? You can drive by the way.

Not sure what exactly you’re fuming about?

The in-laws are a different matter entirely. If they’re going to cause you more unnecessary stress, rearrange.

Sirzy · 26/03/2019 17:41

At least the longer wait gives you the chance to arrange how to get there!

User12879923378 · 26/03/2019 17:42

OP had a baby six weeks ago - cut her some slack, for goodness sake, it's unlikely that her life's massively straightforward at the moment, isn't it?

It's OK for the 6 week check to be a bit late. My baby's first MMR round was about three weeks late because she had the flu when she should have had it, and a few of her appointments have been later than the recommended time.

Re the driving, ask for a doctor to phone you, tell the doctor you feel OK to drive and see if they will agree over the phone to clear you to drive so that you can tell your insurance provider you've been signed off to drive again.

(the insurers aren't "incorrect", it will depend on what the policy says - my policy said that I could drive provided I felt OK to drive but not everyone's policy is the same)

CarpetGate · 26/03/2019 17:42

Speak with your insurance provider again. That is definitely not what they said.

iolaus · 26/03/2019 17:42

BTW that check is JUST for your baby, thats not the maternal 6 week check (that some GPs no longer do) - if you want a check up for you, you need to make a seperate appointment

darthbreakz · 26/03/2019 17:43

I wouldn't woorry too much about the 6 week check. Presumably you and your baby are recovering well - if not then get a Drs appointment - don't wait for the 6 week check. Not even sure I had one with my second and third baby...

Crockof · 26/03/2019 17:43

Yes Yabu but you are also a new mum with loads of hormones so I get it. You can drive, ring insurer to be sure. But you are fine if you feel able to drive and do an emergency stop. And breathe it will be fine

Margot33 · 26/03/2019 17:43

Just get a taxi there and back. While you're there ask the dr to okay driving again.

RedDogsBeg · 26/03/2019 17:43

Why can't you organise a taxi? Is the GP surgery within walking distance?

Speak to your GP surgery and tell them what your insurer has said with regard to driving, that should solve that issue.

Also speak to the surgery, calmly, about the other issues in your post, I am sure they will be able to reassure you.

flyings0l0 · 26/03/2019 17:44

do taxis not venture into your village? I get that, you cannot drive without GP signing it off, partner works away but surely there are lots of other ways to get about. Friends, taxis, buses.

Many people have children and/or babies and live a full life - even without access to a car. why do you act as if you are completely dependent on others. weird post.

Schuyler · 26/03/2019 17:44

YABU. You’re blaming the GP but unfortunately, as you didn’t take the initiative to phone sooner, this is the consequence. It sucks but it is what is is.

iolaus · 26/03/2019 17:45

BTW most GPs do the 6-8 week check at the 8 week mark so you can have the vaccinations done at the same time (save you having to do the trip twice)

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 26/03/2019 17:47

No one is signed off by their GP to drive Confused the 6 week thing is just a recommendation - nothing to do with your insurance. In my home country my friend drove to her 1 week appoitnment to have stitches taken out. It was a private top of the art practice..

Mumofboys95 · 26/03/2019 17:48

Could you not get a bus or taxi and take the in laws with you to help out on the journey there and back they could wait in the drs waiting room while you and baby get checked?

Swipe left for the next trending thread