Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Original poster

Voicemail from GP surgery

209 replies

cherrysthename · 09/02/2022 18:19

Basically my AIBU is AIBU to be scared shitless. I had a missed call at the end of the day and then a voicemail quickly followed. It was the GP receptionist saying 'nothing to be worried about, but can you please make an appointment from 8am when we open in the morning?'
I note that she said nothing to worry about, but she would say that wouldn't she? I've not been to the doctors recently, not had any bloods taken to have results back from...nothing I can think of!

OP posts:

OakRowan · 10/02/2022 14:44

@cherrysthename

I actually didn't use the term 'NHS scare tactics' as if that is a thing. I said the scare tactic worked. Because it did. Leaving a vague voicemail rather than a phone call, text, letter, or broaching the subject in person at my next appointment, was always going to guarantee I phoned up to see what on earth it was about.

But it isn't a scare tactic, you are exaggerating the whole thing, because of your own out of proportion anxieties, you said yourself you've been am idiot and still you are huffy about it. They don't leave nothing to worry about please call back messages as part of a planned, organised method to manipulate patients to make appointments for things they don't want to do. What a load of drama from you, aibu to be shitting yourself about a standard phone message? Yes. Sounds like you have health anxiety, thats not the GP or receptionist's fault or responsibility.I hope your smear is clear. Good luck with your investigations into your mystery ailments too, let's hope no time is wasted there either.

OakRowan · 10/02/2022 14:47

Also were they supposed to just keep on ringing and ringing you until you finally answered, as if you are the only call they have to make that day, the only patient, for a free, safe screening appointment you have already refused loads before anyway? They should chase you? Bloody hell, its an answerphone message, one call, you missed it, they did their job. Go private if you want a more personal service.

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 14:47

Absolutely awful post, OakRowan. I do hope you feel better for getting that vile little jab in at the end as well. I'm sorry for what you must be going through to post that

OP posts:

OakRowan · 10/02/2022 14:48

Fine thanks. Good luck with your smear test.

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 14:48

Oh and another. As long as it makes you feel better. Let it all out. It doesn't bother me. Bigger fish to fry than to be affected by such a transparent attempt to make me feel worse than I did last night.

OP posts:

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 14:49

Thank you, best wishes to you with your next one

OP posts:

7eleven · 10/02/2022 14:50

@cherrysthename

Absolutely awful post, OakRowan. I do hope you feel better for getting that vile little jab in at the end as well. I'm sorry for what you must be going through to post that

Seriously drop this now. You are working yourself up over something pretty trivial. Do yourself a favour and put your phone down. Concentrate your efforts on getting your real health issue dealt with.

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 14:52

'Worked up' I'll be told I was being hysterical next 😂 I see you. Bless you.

OP posts:

7eleven · 10/02/2022 14:53

Ok OP. You’re definitely sounding really rational. My bad.

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 14:53

Please don't worry about me. My hospital referral won't be cancelled because I'm MNing. I'm managing quite well in the meantime.

OP posts:

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 14:55

perfectly rational. Raging misogynist bingo full house.

OP posts:

melj1213 · 10/02/2022 14:55

OP you are just getting sparky and defensive now because people are calling you out on your disproportionate response to a single voice mail.

They couldn't give any more information on the message, they can't just call once, get no answer and shrug their shoulders saying "Well we tried" but they also can't spend all day trying to call the same person over and over again (and tbh I would be more anxious and worried if I got repeated calls from ether the doctors number I have saved or a private number) because you have previously ignored any other communication - since you haven't had one for years - and they can't be sure if it is because you haven't received it, haven't got round to booking or if you just don't want it. When you called up and found out what it was for you could quite easily have said "I haven't responded as I don't wish to have a smear test, please make a note on my record not to contact me about it again" or even just tell them you weren't in a position to book an appointment right then and you would call them back when you could (I always have to check my diary before making appointments to make sure I or DD don't have something booked in and I don't always have it to hand)

They did not use a scare tactic they used the option available to them that was the most direct.

7eleven · 10/02/2022 14:57

You know what’s really pissing me off? Loads of people came on last night and this morning to reassure you and explain why it might be necessary to leave a voicemail, pointing out that it had been specifically said for you not to worry etc.

Today, you’re just spoiling for a fight. I’m quite tempted to give you one, but am choosing not to, so I’ll leave this thread. Get some support from someone for your anxiety.

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 14:57

It was resolved at about 8.10 this morning as far as I'm concerned, Mel. I'm completely fine now I know what it was about. There's nothing more to say about the voicemail.
The rest is just me responding to certain posters trying to somehow hold it against me 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:

ChuckMater · 10/02/2022 14:58

If you've not had any recent tests like you say then it really can't be anything to worry about can it.

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 15:00

Oh don't allow yourself to get pissed off, 7. I thanked those posters more than once for their hand holds. I've said how much I appreciated it. It really did help and I'm glad they were right. I hope to offer the same support when I see someone having a down moment. Never to resort to being like you. Because then I would have real worries.

OP posts:

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 15:01

Thanks, chuck you were right :)

OP posts:

FavouriteFortnight · 10/02/2022 15:03

This is just daft - it wasn’t a deliberate tactic to trick you into making an appointment.

They had no idea if you were going to answer the phone or not. As you didn’t, they left the maximum amount of information they could given patient confidentiality.

Obviously everyone is within their rights to refuse a smear test but encouraging take up of life-saving screening is very much the job the NHS should be doing.

And I know it’s been said already but it is important enough to to bear repeating: NEVER assume that you can safely wait for symptoms before getting cervical screening. There are lots of valid reasons for refusing screening but “I don’t have symptoms” is absolutely not one of them.

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 15:05

Wise words, Favourite I don't want to repeat myself endlessly, so suffice to say I take on board your post.

OP posts:

Sideswiped · 10/02/2022 15:05

OP, I had a call like that but was able to answer.
I burst into laughter and the person at the other end went quiet and didn't know what to say. I thanked her for the call, but had to point out that I don't have a cervix any more as I had a hysterectomy six years prior....
You'd think that might have been flagged up somewhere along the line wouldn't you?

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 15:07

Omg Sideswiped! You'd have thought so!

OP posts:

2bazookas · 10/02/2022 15:08

@cherrysthename I did say oh my gosh the message had me worried as I'd assumed the appointment I was told to make was with a GP. The way it was worded didn't indicate they were simply inviting me for an optional service.

I'm glad you're okay and reassured :-) But it would be worth raising the above in writing, with the Practice Manager. so that they can word such texts in a better way.

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 15:12

@2bazookas thank you.

OP posts:

Pumperthepumper · 10/02/2022 15:34

I hate it when they do that too. Why not leave a message saying ‘we’re contacting you about a routine appointment, please phone back’?

Glad it wasn’t anything to worry about

Original poster

cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 15:40

Cheers Pumper :)

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9