To want to know the name of the (unpleasant) doctor I spoke to (111)

[111No]

TL;DR Do I have the right to know the name of the GP I spoke to at 111? And am AIBU to be upset and annoyed about my experience?

I'm probably being oversensitive and feel better now that I've vented about it. I'm very unlikely to make an official complaint but would like to know my rights. I think once I know, now that I've ranted on here, I'll move on.

A manager (111) told me they couldn't divulge the name of the doctor who called me back.

I called 111 because I didn't want to waste hospital time if it was more a GP issue (it was a hospital issue as it turned out).

The doctor told me they'd made me an appointment that didn't exist at a place (local minor injuries unit) that didn't do the tests for the suspected condition! I didn't ask for an appointment, I understand some places are walk-in only.

I had a feeling they didn't have the equipment there, double-checked with the 111 doctor who assured me they did the tests there but then said they didn't know and sounded annoyed I'd asked. I asked if they thought it likely I didn't have the suspected condition, did they think more likely just a minor injury. They snapped, said I was a grown woman who should make her own mind up about her medical care.

Maybe I'm being oversensitive and U but I found that quite rude? Surely they should have been a bit less patronising and hostile? Even just a more professional way of saying they wanted me to decide hospital or minor injuries. I don't think it was unreasonable to assume they thought it was minor hence referral to minor injuries.

I wanted to say you're the doctor, I want your clinical opinion whether you feel the symptoms and risk factor suggested the condition or not. Is that reasonable on my part? People call 111 to get advice? In future I'll use my own judgment, not bothering with 111 again. I ended up having to go to hospital anyway so I wasted time and prolonged the pain trying to avoid being a possible time waster at A&E (I wasn't).

I didn't trust them because of their hostile attitude, callled the minor injuries unit to check they did the tests there. They said no and I had to go to the main hospital, and they told me no appointment had been made as they were walk in only.

Had I not checked, I'd have waited hours at home (in pain) before heading off for a non-existent appointment, then waited again at the walk-in before being sent on to another place. Obviously I'd have left asap for a walk-in, especially as the fake appointment time meant travelling in school run traffic.

I'd told the doctor I was struggling financially at the moment and I'd have to get a cab (I wasn't well enough to use public transport) as I had no-one to drive me. They would have known they were sending me to the wrong place so I'd have to get a second cab. It's not a case of not knowing in advance what tests were needed.

I'm not sure you have the right to his name but you definitely have the right to complain about his attitude! I'd assume if you complain and give them time of call they can look at who it was.

No one will give out the name of another clinician. You dont need it to make a complaint though although if you make one itll be upto the manager in 111 whether they feel it warrants forwarding to the doctor or not.

From what you describe though it sounds like the doctor was just honest with you and a bit exacerbated as to why you were taking up very valuable time asking a question they felt you should have been able to answer yourself.

If you have an injury that your wondering if your local minors can investigate/treat just phone them directly and theyll let you know.

Calls to 111 are recorded, so please complain, about the attitude and that something somewhere has gone wrong regarding an appointment supposedly booked. They will be able to listen to the recording and speak to the Dr concerned.

Thanks for the replies. At least now I know I won't get the name. Probably for the best and I'll move on. I think I recognised the voice as a doctor I've seen once before (not through 111) and had a horrible experience with (I know they do 111 out of hours work). It makes me more likely to go ahead with a complaint.The one I'm thinking of has had other patients complain so I think it's not just me being oversensitive.

I still probably won't complain as I'm scared it will affect future treatment. I feel better for venting.

HamsterHolder, I suspected the more serious condition rather than minor injury but called 111 to get an expert opinion after describing my symptoms and other relevant information - as I didn't want to waste A&E clinician time.

111 doctor thought it should be checked for the serious issue, which is why I was confused when they made a (fake) appointment with minor injuries, somewhere that didn't do the necessary tests. They lied and assured me all tests were done there because its "a hospital" (it doesn't have an A&E and only has done equipment so can't test for lots of things). I'll decide A&E or doctor myself next time (hopefully won't be a next time!), will bypass 111.

Can you give more detail about what conditions it was that you thought were possible? Hard for others to have an opinion given limited information you gave.

Of course you are entitled to know who treated you. If they will not give you the details (and they should), your gp will receive a copy of the ooh record and you can get it from there.

Can I ask why you are using 'them'? Are you trying to disguise the gender of the Doctor? I found the OP difficult to follow because of it.
Hopefully this doctor made some good judgement calls on the phone lines today and helped people/saved lives.