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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Extremely rude doctor

307 replies

Picturesintheclouds08 · 06/09/2022 16:45

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.

OP posts:
ThomasinaGallico · 07/09/2022 22:49

I just knew as soon as I saw this post that the GP would be a locum. They’re the temps/supply of the medical profession, going into it because they have reasons not to want a regular GP position, ranging from family commitments, working abroad etc. but also in some cases because they can’t hold down a regular job as they’re a bit rubbish.

Nymeria6 · 07/09/2022 23:03

Hi you need to report this Doctor to the GMC so they can investigate. They will let the NHS know who will investigate it too.

Did you seek further help? If so what happened? Hopefully nothing bad happened but that's not the point, say you're walking round and your appendix goes??? Silly example but you get my drift.

DaughterofZion · 08/09/2022 00:33

Perpop · 06/09/2022 16:49

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

GMC? Really?
you think that’s reasonable?

Sally2791 · 08/09/2022 06:11

Absolutely shocking, please complain and follow it through. He simply wasn’t doing his job.

supersop60 · 08/09/2022 06:40

DaughterofZion · 08/09/2022 00:33

GMC? Really?
you think that’s reasonable?

Yes. He's a terrible doctor. He did absolutely nothing to help, wouldn't even listen properly, and fobbed the OP off. He probably should be struck off.

IvyM · 08/09/2022 07:58

It’s not just rudeness, it’s shockingly potentially dangerous practice. It sounds like you have endometriosis and the 2 issues are related. There’s absolutely no reason why you should need to talk to a female gp about any issue. Complain complain complain His incompetence could kill someone in the future if he’s allowed to keep practicing in this manner

RachaelN · 08/09/2022 08:34

Report report report. I would be absolutely fuming.

Joysutty · 08/09/2022 09:00

Yes, its all a bit embarassing these days having to tell the receptionist the problem with your health but that the doctor whoever he or she is needs to know a bit of background information, and hope that receptionists keep to the code of strict confidentiality.

Picturesintheclouds08 · 08/09/2022 09:01

RachaelN · 08/09/2022 08:34

Report report report. I would be absolutely fuming.

I am now starting to be fuming now

Update: no appointments left yesterday.
Called 8am on the dot today line was consistently engaged. Got through at 8.40am, no appointments left. So because this male Dr wouldn't discuss it with me I am now 2 days later and no further forward. I'm starting to get angry now.

OP posts:
Howdoyoulikeyourtea · 08/09/2022 09:11

Picturesintheclouds08 · 08/09/2022 09:01

I am now starting to be fuming now

Update: no appointments left yesterday.
Called 8am on the dot today line was consistently engaged. Got through at 8.40am, no appointments left. So because this male Dr wouldn't discuss it with me I am now 2 days later and no further forward. I'm starting to get angry now.

Ask to speak to the practice manager. You should be given an appointment ASAP in these circumstances not just put back into ring for an appointment like everyone else.

Picturesintheclouds08 · 08/09/2022 09:27

Howdoyoulikeyourtea · 08/09/2022 09:11

Ask to speak to the practice manager. You should be given an appointment ASAP in these circumstances not just put back into ring for an appointment like everyone else.

She's apparently not at her desk and i have been told she will call me back.

OP posts:
Skodacool · 08/09/2022 10:57

Picturesintheclouds08 · 06/09/2022 20:20

I see so many of yous saying to me to complain. I never considered a complaint until i put this post up. I am now going to complain about this doctor because I am still astounded at how I was spoken to and dismissed. He should not be practicing if he doesn't have time and I do recognise I should not be made to feel like an inconvenience. I also do not want anyone else to be spoken to like this or made to feel that way, especially people who may in turn be put off going back.

Good. Everyone should complain if they feel badly treated. Even if the practice managers are dismissive they can hardly ignore multiple complaints.

JackandVera · 08/09/2022 11:11

All these people saying report up are missing the point. You need to deal with this at your GP's level. I have e mailed complaints perhaps about 4 times to my practice and as opposed to meeting me face to face to discuss anything I got phonecalls. I think I am now considered troublesome but "just give her what she wants" so all good as far as I am concerned. The best doctor in my practice is a male locum currently whereas the others are female part timers. I have found them the most dismissive.

McClaire · 08/09/2022 17:36

I think you've taken it the wrong way and that he meant he personally does not have the time for periods because it needs to be talked through with a female.
Sorry to hear you are experiencing this unwell time and I hope you get better soon. X

Doingprettywellthanks · 08/09/2022 17:38

McClaire · 08/09/2022 17:36

I think you've taken it the wrong way and that he meant he personally does not have the time for periods because it needs to be talked through with a female.
Sorry to hear you are experiencing this unwell time and I hope you get better soon. X

Wtf? A male doctor can’t talk about periods with a female patient?

You can’t be serious

Sparklybanana · 08/09/2022 17:57

I'm confused. I thought men were the experts in menstrual matters nowadays?

Picturesintheclouds08 · 08/09/2022 18:10

McClaire · 08/09/2022 17:36

I think you've taken it the wrong way and that he meant he personally does not have the time for periods because it needs to be talked through with a female.
Sorry to hear you are experiencing this unwell time and I hope you get better soon. X

You have just contradicted yourself.

Update: complaint made after practice manager not calling back. Spoke with GMC first. They told me questions to write in the complaint and request the practice manager puts answers to questions into writing.

OP posts:
Underscore21 · 08/09/2022 18:17

Complain on a local level. Involving the GMC is completely disproportionate.

MrsAvocet · 08/09/2022 18:39

Agree. This is not a GMC matter. There's a big section on their website about how to raise concerns and the types of things that they do and don't investigate which might be helpful OP.
But generally there is a process you need to follow for complaints of most kind and most will be best resolved locally. It's like when there is an issue with school and people immediately say "contact Ofsted" rather than raise it with the teacher. It doesn't mean that an issue isn't important, but these big regulatory organisations often are not the right route for complaints, at least not initially.

Babysitter12 · 08/09/2022 19:38

I am not surprised you spoke to an overworked male doctor covering for others on maternity leave, Stop whining !

Doingprettywellthanks · 08/09/2022 19:56

I can’t believe the GMC are going to have to expend time and energy and money on this

Doingprettywellthanks · 08/09/2022 20:00

You went straight to the GMC without doing a nano second of research on the GMC’s very own website

We can usually only investigate concerns about:

serious or repeated mistakes in patient care
abuse of professional position, for example, an improper sexual relationship with a patient

violence, indecency or sexual assault
a serious criminal offence
discrimination against patients, colleagues or others
fraud or dishonesty
if a doctor’s health affects their practice or conduct
serious concerns about a doctor’s ability to communicate in English.

Some of the things we don’t investigate include:

minor clinical errors
rudeness
disagreements over a diagnosis and medical reports
concerns about other healthcare professionals
waiting lists and access to appointments
upkeep and condition of hospitals and practices.

Doingprettywellthanks · 08/09/2022 20:01

So in short - the GMC thankfully will very likely not have to channel any energy in to the OP’s. Complaint

SavingsThreads · 08/09/2022 20:02

Doingprettywellthanks · 08/09/2022 20:01

So in short - the GMC thankfully will very likely not have to channel any energy in to the OP’s. Complaint

Why not when it's discrimination, which is on the list?

iklboo · 08/09/2022 20:06

Why not when it's discrimination, which is on the list?

It's not discrimination, it's rudeness. He didn't refuse to treat OP, he said he didn't have time then to discuss & consider all symptoms and to request an appointment with a female doctor.