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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To complain over this at doctors surgery.

41 replies

ADJ1151 · 17/02/2020 18:11

Had an appointment at the doctors surgery. It was 40 minutes late, annoying but to be expected at times..

It was a follow up appointment after another appointment a week or so ago. The doctor I was meant to see called in sick today so I had to see another..

Called in the doctor was clearly rushed off her feet and flustered. Again I understand how stretched these services are but aibu to think you should still treat a patient with care and respect even when running late??

The lady that was in before me was in there for 20 minutes. When I went in she rushed me through. After five minutes she told me it was time to go as she was running behind.

My appointment was regarding my blood pressure. Last week the doctor wanted me to come back to discuss medication. The doctor I said today said I didn’t need medication despite my average bp reading to be 150/90 something. So I’ve been told conflicting things and I’m so confused.

Aibu to think it was firstly terrible of the doctor to rush me through and only allocate 5 minutes?

Secondly to be told different things!!

Aibu just to book another app with the original doctor to discuss... most likely won’t get an app for a few weeks which is fine but I can’t help but feel like they aren’t taking me seriously!!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 17/02/2020 18:13

That’s only just into the high range so I can understand why she said no medication.

Book yourself back in with the GP you have more faith in for another check in a few weeks and take it from there

Sirzy · 17/02/2020 18:14

And 5 minutes is a perfectly normal length consultation. They aren’t allocated long enough

Disfordarkchocolate · 17/02/2020 18:15

If you're worried go back but I wouldn't complain. I would only complain if clinical care was poor, a breach of confidentiality or rudeness. Rushing would have annoyed me but any GP could have decided on no medication.

MatildaTheCat · 17/02/2020 18:18

Treatment for hypertension should be preceded with a 24 hour monitor at home for a more accurate assessment of the reading. I am on treatment and STILL get white coat hypertension when at the surgery.

Make another appointment to discuss it further.

Unfortunately YABU about this morning, they were covering sickness and have to keep some kind of semblance of time control over appointments. I do agree they should have done more though.

ilovesooty · 17/02/2020 18:19

I really don't think there are grounds for complaint. Five minutes is a normal appointment allocation, and the patient before you obviously had something serious going on. At least you were seen when your doctor was sick. Hope you get an appointment with your own doctor soon.

Soontobe60 · 17/02/2020 18:24

The previous patient could have been there for a very serious reason hence the long appointment. The previous GP askednyou n to discuss meds, not to actually prescribe them. My BP was the same as yours over a week of investigating and I wasn't given meds, but asked to make some dietary changes. Took 5 mins for my follow up.

Original poster
ADJ1151 · 17/02/2020 18:28

Thanks all. I’ve already had a blood pressure monitor for 8 hours. The first appointment was to discuss that but she wanted me to go back regarding medication. First doctor said she wanted to medicate me at that number but second doctor did not.

She wasn’t covering sickness as such. I had a Phone call at 9am. I was given one of the ‘on day’ apps that were free.

OP posts:
SynchroSwimmer · 17/02/2020 18:34

Consider buying a cheap electronic blood pressure monitor for home use from the chemist maybe?

Take readings yourself at home, different times of day, when you are relaxed as well as when you are busy.

Go back to see the original GP with a record of your own readings maybe?

isadoradancing123 · 17/02/2020 20:32

I would consider thats on the high side and requires medication

Fantasiaa · 17/02/2020 20:34

YABU

Yummymummy2020 · 17/02/2020 20:37

I would second the at home monitor mine has been high since pregnancy and it’s super handy being able to check it at home! Very annoying you got different advice though because you don’t know where you stand now. I would go back to my original doctor and explain I was concerned with a diary of your measurements if you do get an at home one!

Nothingoriginalhere · 17/02/2020 20:42

150/90 is the top of normal range.

welliesarefuntowear · 17/02/2020 20:47

"The lady that was in before me was in there for 20 minutes"

That's irrelevant. You've no idea why.

Guavaf1sh · 18/02/2020 07:54

YABU

PixieDustt · 18/02/2020 08:00

YABU in the way you look at things. It doesn't matter why the patient before was in there for 20 minutes. I find it off you time people.
To be honest I'm not sure why your appointment would need any longer than 5-10 mins if it's just a follow up.
I would book again with a different GP.

PixieDustt · 18/02/2020 08:01

Odd*

pinkmagic1 · 18/02/2020 08:04

You were lucky you got to see a doctor. If one calls in sick at our surgery they just phone you and tell you the appointment is cancelled.

Original poster
ADJ1151 · 18/02/2020 08:12

I wasn’t timing the lady in front of me. I was clock watching because they were 45 minutes late. The ladies app would have been late too. Just felt a bit pants that she was running late, not my fault and my app was rushed because of it. Apps are meant to be 10 minutes at our surgery.

I’m just really frustrated because one doctor said medication the other did not I suffer from anxiety which is undoubtedly raising my blood pressure as well.

Funnily enough a few minutes after I posted this the gps receptionist rang to say that the doctor I seen has asked if you could do a urine sample (she didn’t mention it at the app). Would have been easier if she did. I have have to travel 10
Miles (nearest surgery) to pick up a sample pot and then take it back again!

I’ve also booked another appointment with the original doctor for a months time..

OP posts:
cptartapp · 18/02/2020 08:15

Practice nurse here. We now medicate readings consistently over 140/90, unless it's borderline and then trial diet and lifestyle changes.
Buy a home monitor, do several readings over several days and go back to the original GP. Should also have your bloods, cholesterol, glucose etc checked, and possibly an ECG.

HandsOffMyLangCleg · 18/02/2020 08:19

Did you book a double appointment? My surgery's appointments are 5 minutes only and the gps are strict about that.

At least you can pre book, we can't do that at my surgery and there are only a few gps - the main one being on long term sick.

Agree with the BP monitors.

HandsOffMyLangCleg · 18/02/2020 08:21

Sorry, just seen your update that your surgery operates 10 min appts.

Hercwasonaroll · 18/02/2020 08:27

I bet the 10 mins is supposed to include the doctors note taking time too. Why did you need longer? The doctor probably felt like they had spoken to you and your issue was sorted.

You have no idea why the person before was in for so long. Nothing to complain about there.

Your BP is borderline regarding medication. Lifestyle changes will be better for you if you can change. A permanent lifestyle change is better than being on medication.

Sirzy · 18/02/2020 08:33

Slots may be 10 minutes but that doesn’t mean they have to use the whole time if not needed!

InkogKneeToe · 18/02/2020 08:40

You can get a urine sample pot from a pharmacy and take it in, or go to the surgery and do a sample there and then. You don't have to bring the pot home and then take it back again

Yesyesitsme · 18/02/2020 08:42

A 10-minute appointment is standard. Those saying their GP offers 5-minute appointments, that's shocking!