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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
okthx · 10/02/2022 17:21

@Mydogmylife
Would saying “it’s about a routine screening” in a voicemail be a breach of confidentiality?

AliceAbsolum · 10/02/2022 17:24

@Tulipomania

Hard work.

Maybe ask for some meds to help with your anxiety when you go in for your smear.

Rude
Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 17:24

Okthx I really appreciate your post, thank you

OP posts:
okthx · 10/02/2022 17:32

Also, I really don’t want to turn this thread into a smear test one. But the current protocol, I believe, is like this. First, they test a sample for a presence of an HPV virus. If it’s negative, they discard the sample, so they didn’t really need all these cells they collected. A simple at-home vaginal swab would do to detect the presence of a virus. And I know there are recent trials of this approach. I’d be happy to do that. I’m not happy at the moment to anyone taking a sample from my cervix in the clinic. End of. So I wouldn’t be happy for a practice to haunt me with their vague messages. Luckily my practice just sends messages and not often, maybe once in 3 months.

www.england.nhs.uk/2021/02/nhs-gives-women-hpv-home-testing-kits-to-cut-cancer-deaths/

sillysmiles · 10/02/2022 17:34

@okthx I'm not in the UK, but we have taken to testing for the HPV virus rather than full cell analysis - but you still have to have a smear. That part hasn't changed - only what happens with the sample.

okthx · 10/02/2022 17:35

P.S. and yes, messages from my GP practice clearly state “you are invited for a smear test”. So maybe it’s not a confidentiality concern anyway.

okthx · 10/02/2022 17:37

@sillysmiles
Yes, if a person is HPV positive, they always have to go for a full smear/cells collection in the UK too. If HPV negative, here in the UK they don’t bother to have a further investigation anyway.

SpookyHalloween · 10/02/2022 17:40

Former GP Receptionist here. If it was something major they wouldn't call just before closing, they'd leave it til the next day. They'll just need you to book a routine appointment but it's easier for you to call and arrange at 8am than then try and chase you and the other patients the doctors want a follow up with

Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 17:40

That's really interesting, okthx. I'm holding off commenting re smears in general because they never go well here on MN. When I posted last night I didn't even know I'd unwittingly started one 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
DamnUserName21 · 10/02/2022 17:41

It could be a medication review, an annual review for a certain condition you have, smear, etc..
The reason the message is vague is because they aren't supposed to leave identifying info or condition info, ideally.

3teens2cats · 10/02/2022 17:46

I have had a voicemail to call surgery urgently because of concerning test results and they didn't dress it up as nothing to worry about and were very clear that something concerning was found. Therefore I would say that saying 'nothing to worry about' should be trusted.

pawpaws2022 · 10/02/2022 17:48

@3teens2cats

I have had a voicemail to call surgery urgently because of concerning test results and they didn't dress it up as nothing to worry about and were very clear that something concerning was found. Therefore I would say that saying 'nothing to worry about' should be trusted.
Yeah you definitely know. I got a call early evening from the GP which was "where are you and how far away from a hospital?"
Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 18:02

Bloody hell, sorry to hear that 3teens and pawpaws ThanksThanks

OP posts:
lap90 · 10/02/2022 18:03

Must be a big push to get people booked in for smear tests as I too got a phone call... and never get phone calls!

greyinganddecaying · 10/02/2022 18:35

I had this once - on a Friday afternoon I had a voicemail saying "please make an appointment as soon as possible next week to discuss your test results". So I had a whole weekend to stress about it.

Bagamoyo1 · 10/02/2022 19:06

Jesus some of you lot are the reason the NHS is on its knees.
You don’t want tests but you do want tests.
You don’t want calls but you do want calls.
You want receptionists to pussyfoot around leaving a message in just the right tone, to miraculously convey the importance without scaring you, and without giving anything away that’s confidential, but somehow communicating secretly what the problem is!
And they need to know exactly which number to call you on, which may or may not be the one you have given on your notes.
Give me strength.

HelloFrostyMorning · 10/02/2022 19:08

@Bagamoyo1

Jesus some of you lot are the reason the NHS is on its knees. You don’t want tests but you do want tests. You don’t want calls but you do want calls. You want receptionists to pussyfoot around leaving a message in just the right tone, to miraculously convey the importance without scaring you, and without giving anything away that’s confidential, but somehow communicating secretly what the problem is! And they need to know exactly which number to call you on, which may or may not be the one you have given on your notes. Give me strength.
Calm down dear. Wink You're going to give yourself a nosebleed.
okthx · 10/02/2022 19:10

@Bagamoyo1
They couldn’t have left a message just like my GP practice did “you’re due for a smear”. A letter is fine as well about the importance of a cervical screening (not that OP is asking for it).
Don’t be so dramatic. And yes, OP said NO for a smear. It should have been enough. We are all grown up people. We don’t need babying. There are hundreds of other types of cancer they could screen for. They don’t.

okthx · 10/02/2022 19:10

Could have*

Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 19:18

@Bagamoyo1 That's given me a chuckle.

OP posts:
melj1213 · 10/02/2022 19:52

@3teens2cats

I have had a voicemail to call surgery urgently because of concerning test results and they didn't dress it up as nothing to worry about and were very clear that something concerning was found. Therefore I would say that saying 'nothing to worry about' should be trusted.
Yep they will be very proactive if it is concerning - I had a blood test at the GP because one at the hospital had come back to say my iron level was dangerously low, but at the point where i shouldn't have even been conscious and was at risk of organ damage and they were sure it was just a tainted sample so they did a second one "just to be sure" and the doctor would call me the following day with the result ... 7 hrs later I got a call from the OOH Doctor at the local hospital to ask where I was so he could send a blue lighted ambulance to me because my levels were that low and I needed to come in immediately.
PrivateHall · 10/02/2022 20:10

@cherrysthename

It's up to me whether to choose to take one, PrivateHall. It's every woman's choice. Some opt to, like I have this time, others opt out of the programme. Including GPs believe it or not. This has become another MN smear test thread of which there are many. I didn't intend to start one- I posted because I was worried about what the hell I would need a GP appointment for supposedly out of nowhere and my mind ran to 'what ifs' regarding my current poor health. I know from experience that these threads become nasty so thanks again, thread resolved. Any else is free to carry on but I'm happy with the outcome so that's all from me Thanks
Of course you can choose, surely they didn't threaten to drag you in by your hair if you declined? I haven't had one myself in a loonggg time I get the ability to decline, just confused why you are being so aggressive to an invitation.
Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 20:30

I haven't been aggressive 'to an invitation' or anything else. HTH with your confusion.

OP posts:
Bagamoyo1 · 10/02/2022 20:43

Re smears - I’ll let you into a secret. GPs don’t give a shit if you don’t have a smear. They don’t care of you die of cervical cancer, unless you’re a friend or family member. They’re just ticking the boxes, doing their job. You won’t hurt them by refusing. You just create work for them chasing you up. And they don’t chase you up because they care. They do it because they have to.
Personally I’d rather leave people to it, but then they complain.
Like the woman with spina bifida who won her case against the poor GP who advised her mother to take folic acid in pregnancy, but didn’t nag her sufficiently to make her actually do it. His fault apparently.

We’re ticking boxes so we stay out of court, but we don’t really care.

There’s no need to be so precious and stressy when the surgery calls you.

Bagamoyo1 · 10/02/2022 20:46

[quote cherrysthename]@Bagamoyo1 That's given me a chuckle.[/quote]
Rather strange reaction. But this whole thread is rather strange.