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.

Agree complain. He was unspeakably rude. It is also ridiculous you have to speak to a female GP about periods. He shouldn't be a bloody doctor (although we are desparate for them).

Some doctors would have waved you out .

You cannot be serious.

OP,
That attitude was totally wrong.

Please raise a formal complaint with the Practice Manager, also consider moving GPs.

In my experience, 9/10 GPS are rude as can be! I had one years ago who when I walked in and said “morning” just ignored me, the current one is better but still sneered when I asked a perfectly normal question.
I really hate having any dealings with them these days.

Endo adhesions can attach to the bowel so the issues could well be related. A dogmatic application of "one issue per appointment" can lead to diagnoses being missed.

I had a similar experience last year. I developed a nasty chest infection to the point I couldn't speak. So I called got a phone appointment the nurse said just take paracetamol and take your inhaler. 3 days later I was worse so called and the same woman eventually prescribed antibiotics. Before I even recovered my DD caught covid and then a few days later I got it. After 4 weeks I was so unwell to the point I could not stop coughing and felt unwell. I went called the GP same woman called me back and told me to take co-codomol for 3 days and if no better call back. I got worse and went to bed scared I was going to stop breathing. Got up the next morning struggling and called the GP. I got an actual GP call me back and he said well you've got asthma had w chest infection and covid it's probably just long covid. Your vaccinated and young so your fine.I said but I'm seriously unwell I'm struggling to breath and in respect I know my body. He said I'll book you an appointment but it surely won't be me that sees you. I'll make sure it's my colleague. I went up had to get a taxi as I couldn't drive and the GP I seen was fantastic and I ended up in hospital for 3 days before Xmas as he suspected a blood clot and was correct. I told him my experience and he was really shocked and said it would be highlighted. Like genuinely he couldn't have been any nicer and thorough.

That’s absolutely disgraceful. I’m so sorry OP.

Sometimes 12 days, sometime 7 weeks between period is the same symptom I have with Atypical (non hormonal) PCOS.

It basically means I have too many follicles/cyst on my ovaray, because non of the produce mature eggs my cycle is all over the place because it tries multiple times to ovulate but fails.

A cyst could also cause abdonimal pain, unfortunately the NHS does not take it seriously, I only found out when I went private for IVF.

Thats not necasserily linked to periods though, if you have had Covid that regular make periods really heavy as a side effect.

I sympathise I really do - but state of play at the moment - for instance an elderly patient arrives on the ward with a broken hip, family then say, and I quote, can you sort out her toenails, hearing aids, glasses teeth, home is not fit for purpose etc and it is all impossible and pretty overwhelming for the poor old NHS.

What an arse. Definitely complain.

When I had two sets of symptoms which I thought might be linked, the receptionist advised me to book a double appointment. Is that an option at your practice?

As a GP if one of the doctors working with me was on the call for less than 5 mins and told you to call back I would want it reporting to my manager and that has now potential created another appointment and it hasn’t dealt with problem. Hopefully they will have call length monitored.

Personally I find the fact that GPs are not routinely seeing patients face to face appalling. Low paid support staff (blood tests etc) have been working throughout the pandemic and beyond. It's a bit like cannon fodder to me. I have a number of friends that have recently paid for private clinicians. Not all wealthy. I have a long term health condition and haven't seen a GP in 18 months. I think a rude GP after waiting weeks would have me reaching for PALS OP.

What an absolute wanker. Do complain. What a waste of space he is.

What a prick.

That's shit - and I am usually very sceptical about stories of rude doctors on Mumsnet.

As a male GP he doesn't get a free pass on never doing women's health.

And your issues are screaming endometriosis to me and are more than likely linked.

Op do you have a male friend or partner? Could you see if they phone and give symptoms, stomach ache, pain down through lower pelvis up through bum area etc if they get spoken to like shit??

I'm so sorry you've been spoken to like this, I just echo everyone else please complain so he doesn't get away with treating other people like this.

went to the Gp here in Ireland and mentioned two things and when I asked about a third menopause he says I don't have time for this today - you need bloods taken.60e please - Raging - was in about 5 minutes dickwad!

Put in a formal complaint,…. Totally unprofessional….’ask for a woman doctor’? FFS !

@Pegasushaswings I feel the same, hate calling them because i find them so dismissive. (Not all of them, there is good ones out there)

Always amazes me when I take my dog to the vet every bit of him is checked. I say I’m concerned about one thing and vet questions me on other bits of him —- because they look at the whole animal, not just one part.
Yet a human doctor — you can reveal ONE problem you’re asking about and 9 times out of 10 they guess at the most obvious. Only come across this attitude in the UK, never in other countries I’ve lived in.

Please complain.

I'd go with the reporting but I'd also look into a private appt with a specialist, if it's affordable. (Check out your local private hospitals.) You could go round the houses for weeks and months with a GP when in fact you could get 45 mins with a specialist who would examine you and you might get somewhere much quicker.

One point- and this is not a criticism of you at all - (he was out or order) - is that many practices so specify 1 appt= 1 issue to be raised.

This is simply to avoid Joe Bloggs turning up with a long list of issues that can't be covered in 10 minutes so they ask for the main reason for the appt.

@Cece92 oh my goodness. I am so glad you finally got a doctor that took you seriously and you got the treatment you needed. Sounds scary and i hope you are well again now.

I understand your predicament, but my god please make some very loud noise. Cut him into every complaint email you send and do not let up until you get action. Be the pain in his stomach. Get well soon I hope!