AIBU in thinking that if GP notes something wrong with your bloods, they should call you?

[DeTwamps]

2 months ago I had bloods done. Heard nothing back so presumed all ok.
I've since needed a copy of the bloods for an external agency and have called 3 times to get a copy of the bloods.
Finally today the receptionist goes 'Oh, hold on, there's a note on here - Patient to make appointment to discuss further management'.
Why the heck am I finding this out only now???????????

You'd swear I was trying to get access to Top Secret information. In fact, I've actually had an appointment with a gp in the practice in the intervening 2 months and nothing was mentioned!

I've had similar crap with this practice before where a consultant will advise a course of action to be taken by the GP but they don't actually act on it. I get copied on the letters and then I have to ring the GP myself to ask them to read the letter.

What in the world? FFS. AIBU?

At our practice they seem okay about me just working on the ‘no news is good news’ principle. This means I sometimes get a letter or a phone call to ask me to have another test more promptly than usual (I am on 4-weekly tests because of a chronic illness). My new GP (previous one retired) tends not to say in letters what is wrong, just the need for further tests. Usually I just ask when I next go for a blood test, but it’s not a fool proof method as the HCA isn’t medically trained and sometimes doesn’t understand the notes. She is excellent at taking blood though! Usually I can work out what’s what (Ex-nurse) but recently DH and DS (as the patient) were told some wrong stuff.

Of course by not phoning for results, you also run the risk of a message not being passed on as seems to happened for you, OP. I’m happy enough just to do as I’ve been doing, but I can see why it’s not for everyone.

@DeTwamps, I’ve just read your further information on what happened to you. I think the GP should have phoned you urgently about you low magnesium. Has anyone worked what’s causing this?

GMC guidance makes it clear just the responsibility for following up results lies with the clinician requesting the test - in this case your hospital Dr who was dealing with the low Magnesium issue surely?

In my area, GP practices can opt in or out of performing blood tests requested by hospital doctors - but in these cases the labels with barcodes etc should be supplied by the hospital, so the result gets back to the appropriate person quickly.

*that, not just

Usually if something is wrong they would phone at my practice but in all honesty I just phone myself because I'm worried they will forget and I'm an over worrier and impatient.
They couldn't refuse to give your records anyway under the FOI. Surprised you didn't have to put it in writing though.

Also OP my practice don't let you have all the access only just recently found out you have to fill a form in to get all the access. Not sure why they don't give it when filling the form out for the app in the first place. Handed my form in for more access over a week ago. Still waiting for it!

I have routine blood tests every 3 months due to my medication. The rule is that the surgery will get in touch if there's an issue, if I hear nothing then they are OK. As I never heard back, I did at one point wonder if they actually looked at them, but then did get a letter asking me to make an appointment once so was reassured that they did and I was just luckily normally OK.

So definitely not unreasonable for the OP to not call for the results unless had been told to.

"Systemonline" gives me my results.
They are on there the day after

"Mychart" gives me all my hospital results of bloods / tests etc the same day

It is good practice to explain to a patient how to get results at the time the test is taken - that obviously hasn’t happened. And yes you are entitled to a copy of your results, and all your medical records for that matter.
Some practices allow online secure access to your medical records - might be worth asking about this for future reference.
I hope you have your results now and that the issue is nothing serious.

Our docs phone if there is an issue by office staff. If we don’t hear anything then results are fine.

I'm not sure about hospital bloods but whenever I've had them taken at the doctors, I've always been told ' if you don't hear anything back within 2 weeks, there isnt a problem'
When I did have an issue, I was sent a text message telling me to contact the surgery and that's when the receptionist told me what the problem was/wether I had to book an appointment.
Like a couple of other people have said, it doesn't save the surgery any time, you having to call for your results, as then people who don't have a problem are calling to see if they do, then the receptionist/doctor has to check, just to say you don't anyway.
Some people on here are being unnecessarily mean when you've already explained you've had to call numerous times to get an answer, therefore causing more work (through no fault of your own!)

Our surgery always say after blood tests they will contact you if necessary, So I don't think yabu , they should send a letter and ask you to make an appointment if they need to discuss results , it shouldn't be overlooked.

DeTwamps

Your practice is OBLIGED to give you online access to your medical record and all test results. This was a national NHS obligation that should have been in place since 2016.

Read this:
<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/po-offering-patient-access-detailed-online-records.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjP-vrh7qTnAhVAVhUIHadZD_cQFjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw1cAOUWcuKqtT-b9almKYeD&cshid=1580165469775" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">patient access to online records

There is more than one app you can download; I have both the "Patient Access" app and also the NHS own app.

What you need to do is write to your Practice Manager requesting access to your Detailed Coded Record, this is the level of access that includes prescriptions, booking appointments, test results, diagnoses and correspondence,
NOT just your "Summary Care Record" which is a lower level of detail.

There is no excuse for them refusing you as it is part of the GP contract to provide it and has been for years, although apparently some surgeries prefer to make their patients jump through hoops to get it, which they shouldn't.

If you are being met with resistance print out the document I linked and explain that you will escalate the complaint.

Every patient has a right to this online access and every GP Practice must provide this access when asked. They're even obliged to advertise this facility to their patients.

The only acceptable reason for refusal is if it is considered not in your best interests to see the information (ie if you are mentally vulnerable, with safeguarding concerns)

The data held about you is YOURS.
You are entitled to see ALL of it.
Your practice is OBLIGED to give you online access to it and are now way behind the national deadline.

The days of "Doctor knows best what information you may or may not see regarding your health" are long gone.

Barracker - thanks for that information. I'll ring them tomorrow and see what response they have to that!

We get told to call back within 3 working days. However when something has been flagged up, I have had a call to make an appointment. Most blood works in our trust are back after 6 hours.