Requested a female GP, was given a male pharmacist

[ihavetogetthroughthis]

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.

The pharmacist will be an independent prescriber and will be able to deal with minor ailments and various other things (depending on what they are qualified in). However, you should be able to refuse to see one if you want. The bit I am perplexed about is that you got an appointment with them in the first place given you wanted to see a GP. When I book an online appointment it gives me the choice of seeing a pharmacist/nurse straight away or a specific GP (and it states whether they are male or female). For the GP appointments you usually have to wait a week or two though. Do you not get that choice at your surgery. I appreciate that you think not but if in fact you did get a choice, I can see why they are annoyed that you keep cancelling.

The first occasion I actually didn't initially think I was seeing a GP. I called to book and receptionist told me all female GPs on leave. I asked about a locum I'd seen on the online booking. It said Miss X. I assumed female (because the title Miss) and asked if she was a nurse, perhaps I could see her. I assumed all sorted but then got an appointment reminder text with the male pharmacist.

The recent occasion, I filled in an online form with my symptoms and at the end chose female GP. I was then emailed an appointment (chosen for me) with the male pharmacist.

AmIThough A GP called me back from 111. I was bleeding between periods with pain and some other symptoms. I've a history of abnormal smears and HPV. He told me I needed a colcoscopy and scan. I asked him to refer me (I really hate dealing with the receptionists at this surgery) but he said it had to be through my GP. I wish he'd been able to refer me, would have been so much easier and less stressful!

Yes clinical pharmacists working in general practice can treat minor illnesses and do reviews. It is not that uncommon now.

This is terrible though. You have every right to ask for a female clinician and they way they have treated you I don’t agree with

You can complain to NHS England and the ombudsman I actually think they might get a telling off for this situation in all honesty

The first occasion I actually didn't initially think I was seeing a GP. I called to book and receptionist told me all female GPs on leave. I asked about a locum I'd seen on the online booking. It said Miss X. I assumed female (because the title Miss) and asked if she was a nurse, perhaps I could see her. I assumed all sorted but then got an appointment reminder text with the male pharmacist.

It sounds like there has been some miscommunication. It seems very unfair but I think that you need to write a letter explaining what had happened rather than making a complaint as otherwise it will look like you agreed to see them but then cancelled.

It sounds to me that you're dealing with receptionist/s? Maybe the practise manager doesn't know what's happening?

You need to write it out clearly to the practise manager first. The draconian letter was probably automatically generated?

They're getting it wrong and need to fine tune their service. I'm sorry you've experienced this op 💐

I’m a GP and our surgery has in-house clinical pharmacists. They’re great. It means that whenever someone walks in or rings up questioning something about their prescription, the receptionists can call the clinical pharmacists and get them to sort it. It saves tonnes of GP time and means we can offer more appointments.

One of them also runs our Diabetic clinic.

springydaff I think you're right. Several of the receptionists there are utter cows on a power trip (I don't think all GP receptionists are like this). Problem is, either the practice manager is the same or they're not passing on my messages. And it's her signature on the letter. There's no separate contact for her, it goes through reception...

Viascra Would you consider a patient "demanding" if they asked for a female practioner? I have reasons for this preference but surely any woman should be able to ask? I wanted/needed a GP because I had suspected cervical cancer the first time, second time also not minor symptoms.

Viascra Would you consider a patient "demanding" if they asked for a female practioner? I have reasons for this preference but surely any woman should be able to ask? I wanted/needed a GP because I had suspected cervical cancer the first time, second time also not minor symptoms

It honestly depends on the size & gender balance of the practice. My practice is very large - over 20,000 patients and thus 15+ GPs, with a good mix of male and female. We can therefore easily accommodate requests to see a male or female GP.

But at a smaller practice, with say, only 2 or 3 GPs, or where only one GP is female, it's not necessarily going to be possible. You can ask, but may have to be prepared to wait a lot longer for an appointment, especially if that one female GP is on annual leave.

I'd understand if I needed an immediate appointment, but I didn't ask for one. The first time all the female GPs were on leave so I suggested they book me in with the nurse locum who was, I assume, female due to the "Miss" title. Receptionist agreed on the phone but then for some reason booked me in with the male pharmacist.

Second time, again not an urgent appointment. I described my symptoms online, asked for a female GP, and the practice chose an appointment for me - with the male pharmacist. It wasn't a same or next day appointment (and when I cancelled I was offered September) so I assume they decided my symptoms weren't urgent.

The first time all the female GPs were on leave so I suggested they book me in with the nurse locum who was, I assume, female due to the "Miss" title. Receptionist agreed on the phone but then for some reason booked me in with the male pharmacist

You say this was to do with a gynae issue that was going to need a referral. That is completely beyond the level at which nurses are qualified to operate. Even our Minor Illness nurses (who are able to diagnose certain conditions & prescribe) would not touch something like that.

It's very possible that the receptionist booked you in with the nurse as you requested, but that the nurse then looked through their list and realised that they couldn't deal with your issues, so cancelled it & booked you in with someone they thought might be better able to help you.

I think you were being slightly unreasonable to ask for a nurse's appointment when it was clearly something that only a GP could deal with.

Regarding the second time, I'm not sure what happened there. My surgery doesn't have an online 'describe your symptoms' system like that.