To make a formal complaint

[Myitchyv]

Name changed for this. So for 2 years I have had a vulval skin condition. Lichen sclerosus. It was diagnosed by hospital but was discharged back to care of GP. Most of the time it has been manageable apart from short periods of flare but since October I have been unable to get it under control. I have been in agony with itching especially at night I insisted on a referral to hospital. I saw them on Thursday and I was advised that my condition was bad with architectural changes.
Immediately they changed my steroid as I was prescribed the wrong one.
So wibu to submit a formal complaint to GP.

Have you tried Ovestin? Low estrogen can cause lichen sclerosus and architectural changes sounds like atrophic vaginitis which is also helped by Ovestin.

Thank you. I do use estradiol tablets topically.

I'm sorry you are suffering . This is a miserable diagnosis.

Can you clarify - what you mean by the wrong one? Do you mean a weaker one? Steroid creams are frequently prescribed by strength ( weak, moderate, potent, v potent) . GPs often prescribe genetically rather by brand so check that out too.

If there has been a prescribing error and it has caused you harm then you can complain. Ask for copies of letters and your prescription history to get the facts.

Thank you do much fir your reply. Yes the condition needs an highly potent steroid but the one I was prescribed is much less potent I believe

Some medications, including some steroids, need to be started by a specialist, so it may not have been appropriate for your GP to start a potent steroid without you having a specialist overseeing your treatment. Maybe make an appointment to speak with your GP about your concerns and see if you can get some reassurance without needing to conplain? If you still feel that your care fell below acceptable standards, then you can still make a complaint, but with the additional information from your discussion and perhaps a better idea of whether you should be complaining about the GP or the hospital clinic or some other aspect of your local health service (eg. waiting list management).

That is the though. I did see a specialist for a biopsy but I had no follow up. I only got to see a specialist this time because I pushed for it. Oursurgery had an awful CQC Inspection just before COVID for the way it deals with long term conditions and clearly it hasn't improved.
Thank you I will probably do that

Did you speak to your GP in October and say that the treatment wasn't working and ask to try something else? Sometimes, finding the right medication can be trial and error, and GPS don't always want to reach for the most potent treatments first.

If I were you, I'd have a chat with my GP and decide where to go from there depending on what is said.

I spoke to the GP twice. Once to request a referral to gynaecology. At that point they dud a physical examination so could see the extent of the issue and than again a few weeks later to say I was still struggling to get it under control. That was a telephone consultation where I asked for more advice.