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Original poster

To wonder if my GP has some sort of scam going?! "Smoking cessation advice" for a non-smoker

58 replies

LizB62A · 17/05/2019 16:01

I've never smoked - this is relevant.

I've just picked up a referral letter from my GP for an ENT consultation and they've attached a brief summary of my GP appointment history (not a lot of detail but enough)

Over the last 17 years, there are 7 separate entries which state "Smoking cessation advice"

I've never been given advice to stop smoking as I don't smoke

I'm wondering if there is there some sort of NHS bonus paid to GPs who encourage their patients to stop smoking?

Does anyone know ?!

OP posts:
hula008 · 17/05/2019 16:04

I'm not sure why they would do this, I work in healthcare (not GP surgeries) and I'm not aware of an incentive just for talking about smoking cessation. I think you would be reasonable to contact your GP to raise this. It's fair to not want incorrect information on your records

PanamaPattie · 17/05/2019 16:04

I had this on my medical record - but for drinking. Apparently, I sought advice on how to reduce my alcohol consumption. Total fabrication. I believe that it’s sometimes do with QOF points. More points mean more money for the surgery.

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/05/2019 16:06

Well my practise nurse, very long time ago, seemed to imply that there was money for people giving up with GP's support. But not for just talking about it.

thenightsky · 17/05/2019 16:07

Friend who is admin staff in GP surgery says they are paid extra for giving out smoking cessation advice/stop drinking advice etc.

Jaxhog · 17/05/2019 16:07

Bizarre! I would guess it's an error on your records, and you've got mixed up with someone else with a similar name. Tell you surgery so they can correct it.

Neilsfavouritechilli · 17/05/2019 16:08

This happened to me too and I asked the doctors because I was concerned it could affect my life insurance if the worst happened. They couldnt really give me an answer and I'm yet to approach the practice manager.

scaevola · 17/05/2019 16:11

Either they've muddled something up between patients, or it's some target they're gerrymandering (QOFs haven't been around for 17 yrs, so it might be some older initiative)

When the choice is between cock up and conspiracy. I'd back cock up every time.

Original poster
LizB62A · 17/05/2019 16:11

They did once have my mum's records open during my appointment, but she'd never smoked either so it's not her notes.....

OP posts:
Pawtrayt · 17/05/2019 16:12

Surely this would have implications for life insurance or illness insurance claims. If you have put non-smoker on your insurance application the insurance company could refuse to pay out if you have smoking cessation on your medical notes. Definitely needs checking and removing from your records.

DrFoxtrot · 17/05/2019 16:13

It's true that there might be incentives for patients with certain conditions to receive smoking cessation advice. However, if it had been coded on your notes that you're a non smoker that should mean you're not included in those patients needing advice. There must be a mistake somewhere, it might say you're a smoker by mistake.

Foxmuffin · 17/05/2019 16:15

That’s terrible! I’d be so disappointed that that was there. Imagine moving area and being disagnosed with a smoking related illness and the GP or consultant or whoever assuming the cause was partly your own error?!

Fumnudge · 17/05/2019 16:16

They had me down as having had gonorrhea treatment. I assume the shock on my face when it was mentioned looked genuine enough as she altered the notes in front of me, apologising that it must have been put on the wrong record.
I guess it happens

kaytee87 · 17/05/2019 16:18

I'd be quite annoyed about this. Ask for a copy of your medical records to see what other inaccuracies need to be amended

pinkylander · 17/05/2019 16:23

Under new GDPR you have the right to request your records be amended.

redspider1 · 17/05/2019 16:24

I'd demand that be removed.

INeedAFlerken · 17/05/2019 16:29

I would also demand it be removed immediately. It could affect health and life insurance rates should people buy such things, or effect such things being paid out if you've taken it out and the worst happens.

I would also report them for it, and ask for an apology in writing.

Crustyloafs · 17/05/2019 16:29

Not sure about adding random stuff to your records as that would be illegal/fraud HOWEVER if there is something on there like stopping smoking or advice on giving up drinking etc which isn't true, you need to get it removed pronto as it can affect/invalid life insurance.

Of course it depends on what it actually says eg "discussed drinking habits" is very different to "advised to stop drinking".

Crustyloafs · 17/05/2019 16:31

Hmm although maybe I should take my own advice as my medical records wrongly show I missed numerous breast screening appointments when I was 18/19.

Sidge · 17/05/2019 16:49

QOF is still around @scaevola and has been all along.

You can't generally speaking have entries removed but they can be amended to show errors.

Entries such as lifestyle advice (diet, smoking, alcohol, exercise) don't affect insurance quotes or claims. Insurance medicals and medical paperwork want confirmation of e.g smoking, units of alcohol drunk, fatty liver disease, elevated cholesterol etc.

We have to record smoking status especially for things like asthma monitoring, contraception reviews and similar. I can only assume someone has over-enthusiastically ticked the 'smoking cessation box' despite you being a non smoker.

lessnoisepls · 17/05/2019 16:51

This is really interesting and I suspect you have a point.

I went to a smoke cessation session and felt like I was being sold to and that the whole thing had been sponsored by Nicorette or the like.

They just talked me through all the different products they had and which one would I choose (and as we're in England) pay for!!

I refused.
I thought I'd get advice, not just a different way to consume nicotine.

So yeah, I reckon you're right and whoever mentioned the insurance thing being an issue is also absolutely right.

Question this straight away! An investigation needed!

Sunflower8409 · 17/05/2019 16:56

Smoking is QOF target so GPS get paid according to how many QOF points they get. The code smoking cessation advice does get GPs points but only if you have also been coded as a smoker. If you are down as never smoked or ex smoker then the smoking cessation advice bit is not relevant and wouldn’t gain them a point for having it on your record.

Can you see the dates that the entry was made? Some surgeries bulk send texts about smoking and add the code to your records at the end of QOF (March) so maybe that’s what’s happened? Normally would only do this to people who are classed as smokers but the person who sent them may have just sent them to everyone.

Passmeabrew · 17/05/2019 16:59

Your smoking status is supposed to be updated every year or so, I suspect that someone has seen you are a lifelong non smoker, has assumed thats unlikely to have changed and just reinput the data - but instead of recording it as non smoker they've put 'smoking cessation advice'. Which actually makes them more work as needs updating more often I believe! Its such a simple thing to code, and usually most systems have a template setup, but for some reason some people really struggle and always always code it wrong. Drives me mad!!! (Can you guess who usually ends up sorting it.....)

Notnownotneverever · 17/05/2019 17:04

I'm torn with this because yes it's annoying and ridiculous and perhaps wrong to have incorrect information kept on your record....

But if your surgery gets more money because of it then you will be the one who benefits in the long run.

However it does make rather a mockery of any statistical evidence that is being produced based on this information source.

Kazzyhoward · 17/05/2019 17:12

But if your surgery gets more money because of it then you will be the one who benefits in the long run.

No, the GP partners who own/run the surgery benefit by larger profits. They're running a business, so of course, they'll try to maximise their profits.

FuriousVexation · 17/05/2019 17:13

My DS was asked by his then GP if he ever took drugs. He answered honestly that he ocassionally smoked weed with friends.

Fast forward 6 months, he gets a call from a local drug addiction service saying they want to help him stop using heroin Confused

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