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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Disgusted with the GP.

256 replies

Daisymae15 · 10/08/2021 19:27

This is not a bashing the NHS thread we are so angry with the GP.

My Mil 92 is in a nursing home last Thursday she had a minor stroke the home called the GP and all she has done is send aspirin, wouldn't visit.
Yesterday she had a fall, banged her head, shoulder and back. Not injured enough to call an ambulance.
The GP was called yesterday and was supposed to phone, as of 7pm tonight she still hasn't rung. When WE phoned the surgery told that she is on the list to be called.
The home are frustrated at not being able to give anything stronger than paracetamol. We are frustrated because of covid we are not allowed to visit.
(Someone tested positive on Saturday so they have gone back in lockdown)
We feel as though the GP is hoping she dies so she doesn't need to bother. DH has spoken to the home and they have said that they are worried about her, she is in a lot of pain, very depressed and not even got dressed today. Last night she slept in a chair as she couldn't lie down.

As I have said I'm not bashing the NHS as in the last year I have had breast cancer and my treatment has been first class.(Not under the same surgery)
We can't change surgeries as each home in town has an allocated practice.

Is covid to blame or is it possible that she is a shit GP.

OP posts:
VaccineSticker · 11/08/2021 20:42

@FleasInMyKnees they don’t bother by the sound of it, according to her. Oh well another fall by another resident...

FleasInMyKnees · 11/08/2021 20:42

Lots of carehomes get taken over, it would be very outing to name the company and something the papers love to pick up on

TatianaBis · 11/08/2021 20:48

@LemonRoses

TatianaBis She really doesn’t. That idea is well outside of pathway for TIA. You denied to go to hospital to have a meds review. Neither should initial assessment for fracture be outside scope of home staff.
They don’t know for sure if it’s a TIA without assessment. And care home staff can’t diagnose fractures. Elderly women potentially with osteoporosis are particularly prone. If she’s in so much pain she can’t lie down she needs to be checked for fractures.
frumpety · 11/08/2021 21:26

The other thing to check is if she can have an electric adjustable bed if she doesn't already, that way she could sleep more upright whilst in bed for a few nights, if she is uncomfortable lying flat.

Social services usually have physio's and OT's who work for them, could you ask for an assessment regarding her mobility and potential aids ? Does she already use a frame when walking ? People lose an awful lot of confidence following a fall and having someone assess them properly and provide appropriate equipment can really help them regain confidence.

frumpety · 11/08/2021 21:28

Can the home organise a facetime between you and MIL on a tablet or phone ?

LemonRoses · 11/08/2021 21:45

TatianaBis and there is no indication of a stroke.

.Nurses should certainly be capable of determining whether an injury is such it requires surgical assessment and intervention. Absolutely a NoF should receive surgery. There is no suggestion of this.

It’s ridiculous to make assumptions without knowing the facts either way and understanding the wishes of the person and plan of care. To suggest the home nurses and the GP are negligent without any evidence of such is inappropriate. Nobody should be left in pain but that doesn’t usually mean they need hospital.

TatianaBis · 11/08/2021 21:55

@LemonRoses

TIAs carry the risk of a future stroke and need assessment to establish the cause.

Nurses can’t tell if bones are broken without X-ray.

The GP hasn’t seen MIL face to face or sent her to hospital so it’s fair to say she has been negligent in the circs.

I hope you’re not currently working in a care home.

Rachie1973 · 11/08/2021 21:59

@Daisymae15

The doctor has just phoned the home. Co codamol has been prescribed but it can't be delivered until the morning as the script has gone to boots. GP was not too concerned even though Mil has moments where she appears vacant. She won't do a visit because someone tested positive for covid. We did ask the nurse from the home if she should have an ambulance but we have been told that if one was needed the doctor would authorise who had said one was not needed. DH will be phoning this GP in the morning. This time last week Mil had knitted a cardigan for one of her great grandchildren. Today she hasn't got out of her chair. They brought in a comode as she couldn't get to the bathroo
This is an issue with the home.

I’m a support worker and we make our own call.

With that level of difference they should have called 111 at the very least, and possibly 999.

frumpety · 11/08/2021 22:27

@LemonRoses Nurses should certainly be capable of determining whether an injury is such it requires surgical assessment and intervention

Not all fractures require surgery though, some are treated conservatively and it isn't always easy to tell that there are fractures, not everything is as easy to spot as #NOF, you can make an educated guess, but without imaging that is all it is.
Again one of the fundamentals of care is sufficient pain relief. The MIL was left without this for over 24 hrs, that isn't decent 'care' whichever way you look at it.

frumpety · 11/08/2021 22:31

And lets be honest, even with imaging, how many people have been called back to a fracture clinic once the X-rays have been reviewed by a consultant, having initially been told there is no issue ? lots, which is why consultants get paid a lot of money

TatianaBis · 11/08/2021 22:38

Indeed, a friend of mine, was recalled as it turned out she had fractured a vertebrae in her neck. She’s a doctor herself and told them she thought she’d cracked a vertebrae but A&E thought it was fine. Until the consultant saw it.

winterchills · 11/08/2021 22:46

So so sad. I really think you need to complain about the home

VaccineSticker · 11/08/2021 23:24

“Nurses should certainly be capable of determining whether an injury is such it requires surgical assessment and intervention“

@LemonRoses we have had few doctors and and an A&E nurse on here post that she should have been checked. They have failed caring for the lady.

Your posts sound like you work or used to work for a home.I feel sorry for the people you care/cared for.
Oh and 4K per month for this.

FleasInMyKnees · 12/08/2021 10:30

It does sound very upsetting, if the fall was unwitnessed maybe it was another Tia that caused her to collapse and not fall. I hope this poor lady gets the care she deserves and the fami,y get the answers.

LemonRoses · 12/08/2021 10:33

@VaccineSticker

“Nurses should certainly be capable of determining whether an injury is such it requires surgical assessment and intervention“

@LemonRoses we have had few doctors and and an A&E nurse on here post that she should have been checked. They have failed caring for the lady.

Your posts sound like you work or used to work for a home.I feel sorry for the people you care/cared for.
Oh and 4K per month for this.

No never worked in a home in my life. Quite a senior clinician though.
TatianaBis · 12/08/2021 10:36

Exactly - I said before the two incidents may be related.

The fall may be another minor stroke or may be due to loss of power/mobility on one side. One of the many reasons she needs urgent assessment.

TatianaBis · 12/08/2021 10:37

That was to @FleasInMyKnees

LIZS · 12/08/2021 10:42

@TatianaBis

Exactly - I said before the two incidents may be related.

The fall may be another minor stroke or may be due to loss of power/mobility on one side. One of the many reasons she needs urgent assessment.

Quite possible. Her inability to move may also bring on further issues such as uti and pneumonia, many of which can become serious quickly. Definitely complain. Covid or no covid she needs assessment at hospital .
TatianaBis · 12/08/2021 10:42

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

FleasInMyKnees · 12/08/2021 12:51

There are many different clinician roles, maybe they should spend time working in the community to observe what nurses actually do and what care residents can expect.

Mickarooni · 12/08/2021 14:00

@FleasInMyKnees

There are many different clinician roles, maybe they should spend time working in the community to observe what nurses actually do and what care residents can expect.
Many people in senior roles quickly forget what it’s like to be ‘on the ground’ and some have never done it but have all the opinions…
Reallyreallyborednow · 12/08/2021 14:09

Many people in senior roles quickly forget what it’s like to be ‘on the ground’ and some have never done it but have all the opinions…

Or maybe they know more about palliative care pathways than mumsnetters?

There are obviously errors in the treatment of the o/p’s relative but shipping old ladies off to hospital for likely futile “treatment” is not always the best option.

FleasInMyKnees · 12/08/2021 14:26

Reallyreallyborednow, what errors in the treatment do you think have happened here, who do you think should decide if treatment would be futile if the resident hasn't even seen a doctor. Do you think scans to diagnose Tia or possible fractures are futile.

Reallyreallyborednow · 12/08/2021 15:00

rrors in the treatment do you think have happened here, who do you think should decide if treatment would be futile if the resident hasn't even seen a doctor. Do you think scans to diagnose Tia or possible fractures are futile

How could anybody know. Even o/p and her dh haven’t actually seen the lady, never mind examined her or seen her notes.

There is absolutely no way to know whether scans or other intervention will help, or whether it is best for this lady to leave her at home.

This lady’s medical team should have a plan for hospital admissions, whether to or not. It should all have been pre-decided. I have no knowledge of what those decisions are, obviously.

The glaring error appears to be that this lady has not been made comfortable with adequate care and pain relief. Other than that no one on an internet forum can possibly comment on whether pain relief and palliation at home, or hospital care and intervention is the best approach.

DameFanny · 12/08/2021 17:13

Not completely on topic but... Why scan for a TIA if the symptoms are resolved and you're already on aspirin? It won't show up on CT or MRI, so that's a lot of uncomfortable waiting around. If it was a stroke then symptoms would persist. So that's hours on a hospital trolley to confirm what you already knew, and that there's no other treatment for. Am I missing something?

I would quite like to know because I've had a couple of what I assume are TIAs myself, but I'm already on aspirin (Antiphospholipid Syndrome) and I can't think of anything they'd do differently after many hours waiting for the MRI to be available...