Extremely rude doctor

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This is more of a vent than anything else.

In my GP practice you don't get a face to face, you get a phone call then a face to face if deemed necessary. That's fine, no issue with that.

You have to state what you are calling for to the receptionist so I stated stomach issues and period problems.

The doctor calls and asks how he can help.

I begin saying - I'm calling for Two things that may or may not be related.. one is a pain in my stomach, one is period pains.. he cuts me off right there and says .. I don't have time for a list of issues.

What's your stomach pain he asks - dull ache, coming and going, few centimeters to the right and below belly button, been going on few weeks. He says - it's just your bowels, it is very normal. I question that - I'm 36, never had this pain before.

Then I say - about my period - he goes - I don't have time to be talking about periods and all that, quickly give me the highlights. I could not believe the rudeness of him. Highlights - 12 days between a period, sometimes 7 weeks, extremely painful through to my back and bum - cannot physically move, blood clots, very heavy, would consider a hysterectomy it is that bad. (Took me about 30 seconds to give him that run down) Ok he says, i dont have time to deal with this today and you need to call back another day for a new appointment and request a female doctor.

I was gobsmacked at his rudeness. The phone call lasted under 5 mins. I understand they are under alot of pressure but his rudeness was terrible. I didn't realise you couldn't talk about 2 issues (that may be related) at the same appointment.

You need to report this arsehole. It's shit doctors like him that put patients in jeopardy. I would raise absolute hell over this. No one deserves to be treated so poorly.

That's appalling. Contact the practice manager and tell them you wish to make a formal complaint. Those symptoms might well be linked and his attitude was unforgivable.

I agree he was rude, both might be connected.

That does sound extremely rude and dismissive. However, with GP services being stretched to the absolute limit I doubt a complaint to the practice would achieve very much. I'd be inclined to book another appointment with a different doctor, and if you don't get any joy with that, look at changing to a different practice.

Practice manager, gmc and anyone who will listen to the complaint!!

When I go into my surgery there is a poster on the wall saying that you can discuss a healthy lifestyle at any appointment. If that’s the case, two problems at one appointment must be ok.

To be fair the first day of doctor school they do check if you have a vagina or a penis. can't have penis doctor dealing with vaginas.

Definitely complain!

Tbh i would probably have led with the period issues they sound way more serious than the dull ache in the abdomen.

Time to contact PALS.

So he can treat all his patients like shit - or maybe just the female ones- and not actually ever do his job?

Please report him, that is shocking and totally unacceptable.
Who does he think he is?

@RatherBeRiding yes my plan is to book with a female and discuss period issues then get a second opinion from her on the stomach pain.

Please just send what you've written above in an email entitled 'complaint'. There's no excuse for what he said - it's not just rudeness it's bad clinical practice and someone else could genuinely suffer at the hands of this arrogant idiot.

I'd also copy in a few other people while I was at - embarrass him. Tbh not much will probably come from it but it might make him think twice and there's the possibility he has outstanding complaints about him and this helps build a picture. It's very difficult to take action against GPs but they shouldn't get away with being arseholes.

I'd consider moving practice if this GP is a permanent one - if one apple is bad the rest probably aren't great either.

@Whataretheodds yeah you are right but my thinking was get the dull pain out the way and spend more time explaining my period issues. Little did I know I would get told to give the highlights only.

My GP practice has a scrolling board which states 'Your appointment is for ONE problem'. Which I take to understand (and ignore when l do have an appointment) you're only allowed to talk about one issue at your appointment.
How many medical issues only have one symptom? OP's two sets of symptoms could well be connected. The doctor can't make an educated assessment if he doesn't have all the information, whether it actually turns out to be relevant or not. It may well be. You're trusting a professional with your health.
I'm with PP on this, OP. Report, this was incredibly rude and unprofessional. I'm so sorry you were treated like this.

Ask for a blood test to check your iron levels - if you are anemic then you lose more blood. It’s a vicious circle as you get more anemic.

Make a complaint and flag the misogyny. They could be related. It could be (among many other things worth investigating) endometriosis which has spread. Very serious and very painful.

I once had crippling pain from an ovarian cyst and the male medic who attended coud barely look me in the eye and refused to discuss it with me. He was clearly too embarassed. Ridiculous behaviour.

Yes this GP practice is notoriously bad. However, where I live, you have a catchment area and are required to provide proof of address to register at a GP practice here and if your address doesn't match the catchment area then your refused. So I'm lumbered with this horrendous GP practice.

Please complain to practice manager
Complete idiot imagine how many people facing that response will be put off . Dont be get your next appointment ASAP and all the details off reception on how to complain
Hope you get sorted out soon

If a male GP told me I needed to speak to a female GP about periods, I’d report that as high as it could bloody go!

@goldfinchonthelawn i agree, ridiculous behaviour. My relative has endometriosis, I know how awful it has been for her, very painful condition.

You definitely need to speak to the practice manager and make a complaint! That's like a female doctor saying she won't deal with erection problems or any male issue etc! If the practice don't deal with it then approach the general medical Council and report your concerns to them so he can be investigated.

At our practice its an an appointment per issue so he's right to get frustrated. But agree he was wrong to speak to you how he did

This is what you get. I've had equally rude GPs, often women.

Report him! This is exactly why I always request a female GP whenever I need to discuss something period related, ridiculous that we should have to though.