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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Requested a female GP, was given a male pharmacist

62 replies

ihavetogetthroughthis · 22/08/2019 23:41

Happened twice. First time for gynae issues and I'd been advised by 111 to see a GP within a week for referral to hospital. Second time for something that also may need a referral. Not gynae but I feel more comfortable with female gp because of some past experiences. I was given the appointment after doing an online consultation thing. I cancelled online when I saw it was a male pharmacist and explained why when cancelling. I've now been accused of wanting appointments on demand and cancelling for no reason. There's a load of other problems with the surgery. I know I need to change practices but wanted opinions on whether IABU to ask for (not demand) a female GP, especially for gynae problems. I didn't insist on being seen immediately if that's relevant.

OP posts:
poolblack · 22/08/2019 23:46

I'm confused by this. Your GP survey has pharmacists appointments?

Zebraaa · 22/08/2019 23:47

What’s a male pharmacist got to do with anything?

Fraggling · 22/08/2019 23:50

Our surgery has nurse appts but no pharmacists.

Does your gp have a pharmacy service that is acting as 3rd line?
There was some stuff in the news about govt wanting pharmacists more involved take pressure off gp services...

welshfishwife · 22/08/2019 23:51

Was there a reason they have you an apt with a pharmacist? Seems very odd!

ithinkmycatistryingtokillme · 22/08/2019 23:51

Not unreasonable at all. Dd1(17)needs to see dr(gynae probs, suspect endo) and one of the 1st things we discussed was whether she wanted to see a female gp, she actually decided she wanted to see one of the male gps who she really likes and trusts.

For certain things such as gynae/intimate problems you should be able to choose but also should accept that you may have to wait longer.

Original poster
ihavetogetthroughthis · 22/08/2019 23:52

The surgery has a pharmacist. I think for minor issues. Zebraaa I thought the same. I asked for a doctor, both times the issues required one.

OP posts:
BoomBoomsCousin · 22/08/2019 23:54

YANBU to request a female GP if that makes you more comfortable. This is something the NHS specifically says you can do and that surgeries will do their best to accommodate you:
www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/nhs-services-and-treatments/can-i-choose-to-see-a-male-or-female-gp/

You should make a complaint.

springydaff · 22/08/2019 23:59

You are not be at all unreasonable.

Original poster
ihavetogetthroughthis · 23/08/2019 00:02

I was happy to wait longer. I didn't ask for an immediate appointment. I didn't complain about being booked in with the pharmacist, I just cancelled and said why. I didn't expect them to accuse me of being a demanding patient.

OP posts:
Original poster
ihavetogetthroughthis · 23/08/2019 00:06

I have made a complaint. That's the problem. I wish I hadn't. It was the final straw on top of so many issues with the surgery. They didn't respond to my complaint. Instead they sent me a warning letter telling me I was demanding appointments and cancelling for no reason. I'm changing surgeries but also thinking about taking the complaint further.

OP posts:
Wowzel · 23/08/2019 00:07

A pharmacist can train as an advanced clinical practitioner and work seeing and treating patients in the same way that an advanced nurse can.

However, if you want to see a female GP then you should be able to.

LauraKsWhiteCoat · 23/08/2019 00:08

I'd say the mere fact that you needed a GP and were offered a pharmacist is a perfectly reasonable reason to cancel, and that's before you get to the male/female issue.

Definitely complain.

Lumene · 23/08/2019 00:10

YANBU

Kpo58 · 23/08/2019 00:14

I didn't complain about being booked in with the pharmacist, I just cancelled and said why.

Why didn't you complain at this point rather than just cancelling?

Fraggling · 23/08/2019 00:16

I think they can do triage etc through nurse (as at my surgery) and apparently now pharmacist, that is related to cuts, not great, but ok.

What is not ok is that you asked for a woman and got a man. Not ok. People are allowed to request same sex. Ignoring that will impact on a lot of patients for any number of reasons.

Yes complain and base your complaint on that.

Mileysmiley · 23/08/2019 00:21

@ihavetogetthroughthis

Why do you need them to be female?

poolblack · 23/08/2019 00:22

I'm confused. Your thread is 'I made a complaint' and 'I didn't complain'

RubyRubyRubyRubyAaaaah · 23/08/2019 00:25

My GP. Now has a pharmacist doing appointments for med reviews, it’s a liability. Spent most of the appointment discussing my indigestion tablets in great detail (had a stomach bleed in the past and need them occasionally) after successfully arguing to keep those on repeat ,he casually mentioned that after a few years on anti-depressants I might like to try not taking those any more and shall we stop them?
You were right to cancel, I’d only see the Pharm for basic stuff like renewing an inhaler

RoLaren · 23/08/2019 00:25

What if you're referred to a male gynaecologist?

Gingerkittykat · 23/08/2019 00:27

There's a clinical pharmacist at my practice who is great, liaises with hospital and me and surgery to sort out meds and i've been told I can have regular appointments to help with withdrawing from one med when the time is right.

That's not the issue here though, YANBU you should have been given an appointment with a female on request and I would definitely take it up with the practice manager.

Fraggling · 23/08/2019 00:30

Rolaren and mileysmiley, men and women are allowed to request same sex docs.

There are good reasons for that.

And asking why someone prefers same sex docs is quite intrusive.

springydaff · 23/08/2019 00:31

Yes, practise manager - and if no joy then take it further.

S1naidSucks · 23/08/2019 00:32

It doesn’t matter why the OP prefers a female rather than a male gp. It’s her right to ask for one.

Definitely complain OP. Also complain about the letter, because that was an attempt to make you appear difficult, threaten you and try to shut you down. Bloody disgusting behaviour.

Chivers53 · 23/08/2019 00:43

I've never heard of Pharmacists doing appointments before, weird! Have you phoned to make an app as well as done it online? Maybe it's an automated system, it should work of course, but that would make it too easy for everyone Grin as you were willing to wait it isnt unreasonable to ask for a female GP (obviously if it was urgent and only males were in may be harder to organise). Have you responded to the letter? Our surgery has a trigger point for letters if you miss x amount of appointments, not for cancellations though.

Flower64 · 23/08/2019 00:45

People are allowed to request same sex practitioners. In many cases like mine it’s due to previous abuse. The NHS allows this and it should be honoured wherever possible. This doesn’t make you a demanding patient. My surgery has no issue with this but they always double check if I’d like a quicker appt with a male to which I always say no