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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

GP E consult

11 replies

Whydidimarryhim · 01/12/2021 10:03

AIBU to expect my econsult to be read by a GP and not someone who has been trained in this.

Was due a call back yesterday - didn’t happen - chased up reception today - Ive been placed on Friday now - I asked if a GP had read my info - she advised it’s someone trained in this!!! Not a gp and I’m not sure it was a health professional either.
I was shocked.
Not only does it undermine a GPS training but the person doing the screening doesn’t have years of training behind them.
I’m aware I will speak to a gp on Friday.

OP posts:
BlueBobs · 01/12/2021 10:17

There are many allied health professionals that work in GP surgeries, emergency nurse practitioners, pharmacists, paramedics and physiotherapists to name a few. Being trained in it doesn't mean they were unqualified and the receptionist might not have known who specifically looked at yours. Some e consults can be dealt with others, leaving the ones that do need a GP for them. Hope you get your issue sorted

housemdwaswrong · 01/12/2021 10:29

Depends. A pharmqcist manages my hospital shared care, and I find him much better than GP. I've also had a nurse practioner reply, and GPs are the least useful for me.

The receptionist won't have triaged it, nor a non medical.person who had been trained in e consult...it would be a lawsuit waiting to happen I'd have thought.

Darkstar4855 · 01/12/2021 11:08

You don’t know what training the person doing the screening has. YABU to jump to the conclusion that they are incompetent.

Write to the practice manager and ask for the information.

MrsTimRiggins · 01/12/2021 11:13

I think you’re jumping the gun somewhat assuming the person who reviewed your econsult is untrained. There’s advanced nurse practitioners, paramedics etc as mentioned upthread who would be qualified to triage.
The receptionist wouldn’t have triaged, it would’ve been passed on to an appropriate party for a decision to be made… we’re not paid enough for that to be our responsibility!

DraigFach · 01/12/2021 11:14

Much like the vote I'm 50/50 on this.

Trained to triage e-consults but not GP could be one of the marvellous other HCPs at our medical centre. I'd trust all of them to either offer correct advice/treatment or refer me directly to GP.

It's the lack of information about who is trained. If it's someone without a medical training background being a receptionist does not count then I wouldn't be at all comfortable. I'd ask for clarification on who the non-GP e-consult triage staff include.

AndMatt · 01/12/2021 11:20

I asked for a certificate via econsult because I couldn't get an appointment.

I got a call from a very stroppy receptionist saying "she" would do it for me this time but I really must speak to a doctor if I need another one. Ok, I said, can I make an appointment now? Not because I think I'll need it extended, but because I know I won't get an appointment for the first week after Christmas. No we can't possibly book that now Confused

She didn't even ask how I was or if I needed any help with the problem that requires a month long certificate.

I'd love to see a doctor. I'd like to think the doctor might want to see me. I've never had a certificate before and it's probably 5 years since I last had a doctor's appointment so it's not like I'm a time waster, although I was certianly made to feel like a shirker.

Floundery · 01/12/2021 11:54

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

pianolessons1 · 01/12/2021 11:58

I'm a GP. eConsult has been foisted on us, it's not our choice, it comes with no extra funding to pay new medical staff. I know of practices that get over 100 of them a day. Everyone is trying to work out how to deal with them and in most places that means they get triaged and only those which really need a GP get seen by a GP.

Are you comfortable to say what it is about - I could give some general info on who might look at it, though clearly can't give individual medical advice.

pianolessons1 · 01/12/2021 11:58

@AndMatt

I asked for a certificate via econsult because I couldn't get an appointment.

I got a call from a very stroppy receptionist saying "she" would do it for me this time but I really must speak to a doctor if I need another one. Ok, I said, can I make an appointment now? Not because I think I'll need it extended, but because I know I won't get an appointment for the first week after Christmas. No we can't possibly book that now Confused

She didn't even ask how I was or if I needed any help with the problem that requires a month long certificate.

I'd love to see a doctor. I'd like to think the doctor might want to see me. I've never had a certificate before and it's probably 5 years since I last had a doctor's appointment so it's not like I'm a time waster, although I was certianly made to feel like a shirker.

Only doctors can sign medical certificates (by law) so this will go via a doctor.
AndMatt · 01/12/2021 14:11

Only doctors can sign medical certificates (by law) so this will go via a doctor.

Yes, I'm sure a doctor will have to sign it, but no doctor (or anyone else) has spoken to me about my problem or offered any help or advice to solve it.

pianolessons1 · 02/12/2021 22:06

@AndMatt

Only doctors can sign medical certificates (by law) so this will go via a doctor.

Yes, I'm sure a doctor will have to sign it, but no doctor (or anyone else) has spoken to me about my problem or offered any help or advice to solve it.

This is a bugbear of mine. I always talk to people about a sick certificate, unless it's barn door obvious e.g. they are having chemo and seeing the hospital every day. Signing people off sick can cause significant harm and shouldn't be done lightly.
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