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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To complain about GP's incorrect referral?

134 replies

shallwego · 02/12/2022 15:22

Hi all.

Sorry it's going to be a long one!!!

So following from a discussion I've had on another thread.

I have been suffering with infertility for the past 3 years. My DH and I have been tracking everything we possible can, and it's just not happening for us.

Around 2 years ago now, I contacted the GP at my doctors surgery to ask for some help and guidance. I had some blood tests carried out, and they came back clear. At the time, I also had a pelvic scan done which was also okay, but they did advise they struggled to get a super clear image since I was a little overweight.

I was told I'd be placed on a waiting list for further help in the fertility department, and so I've waited patiently to be contacted by this department.

In the meantime, DH and I took care of ourselves as much as possible, continued trying but tried to relax a little to see if the 'relaxed' approach would help, but it didn't.
We decided to both have weight loss surgery to aid in our chances of conceiving, and also for personal benefits and reasons, and this has worked really well for us. We are 18st down between us now and so so much happier and healthier! We have been given the all clear from our surgical team to confirm TTC. They're extremely happy with our progress.

I got a call around a month ago from the NHS, and was told I was finally at the top of the fertility waiting list! I was so, so happy to finally be getting some guidance. I awaited my letter in the post for my appointment, and when it finally came through I attended the gynaecology department as per the letters request. I was due into the appointment at 3:30, but ended up waiting in the wait in room for over 2 hours before being seen.

I went into the dr's office at 6.40 and sat down to hear about my next steps. Confirmed my details, DOB etc etc and he began reading back through my medical notes and history. He began talking about some of the notes he had on file, and all was okay (blood work, scan etc)

He then began discussing my 'consecutive miscarriages' at 10-15 weeks pregnant' and began to apologise for the losses etc. I was shocked COMPLETELY.

This isn't me. These aren't my notes. I haven't ever been lucky enough to fall pregnant, so I was utterly confused. I told him that this was incorrect, and he looked completely confused too. He continued reading through these notes and the rest of the information was mine again... but these consecutive miscarriages weren't true.

He asked me how this happened, and I honestly have no idea. He then continued on to say that since this isn't my information, and we are not completely sure I'm even able to GET pregnant, I'm in the wrong department. I would need to go back to my GP for a re-referral to the infertility specialists. Completely cold and matter of fact.

I was so upset and frustrated at both the length of time I'd waited in his waiting room just to hear that, and the fact I've been on the waiting list for the wrong department for 2 YEARS. I was just a sobbing mess.

He dismissed me, but before leaving the room he also said 'also you need to cut back on the junk food. You're still obese. The infertility team wouldn't give you so much as a look-in when you're BMI is this high' I asked him what my BMI would need to be. He said it's currently 34, and needs to be 30 in order to be considered. I explained to him that I've had weight loss surgery and have been trying so hard to bring my weight down to help in conception.

When I left the room, I was in absolute floods of tears. I'm absolutely heartbroken that I've been referred for the wrong department and wasted SO much time waiting for this appointment, only to be referred back to the start again.

I contacted the GP reception and advised on the situation, and was called back by my current doctor (the one before who mid-referred me isn't looking after me anymore). She's taken all our info and put us back onto the correct waiting list, but couldn't advise me of how long this may be.

What are my options now? For all I know these past 2 years could have been critical for us - and we've waited for absolutely nothing.

My mental health is so low following this, I don't know how much more I can actually take.

OP posts:
shallwego · 02/12/2022 15:23

Thank you in advance for any help here - especially if you managed to read the entirely
of my rambling! Apologies.

OP posts:
shallwego · 02/12/2022 15:27

Also - so sorry for the odd typo. I was just trying to get everything out and must admit I didn't proof-read first.

Apologies Blush

OP posts:
mrsed1987 · 02/12/2022 15:31

Bless you sounds absolutely awful.

The waiting list is likely to be very long unfortunately, but you don't need me to tell you that, would going private be an option?

shallwego · 02/12/2022 15:35

@mrsed1987 I know, I'm absolutely dreading the wait. I'm completely unsure as to what the cause for the infertility could be at this stage, so I find my mind is just in absolute panic mode and I'm struggling so much mentally at the moment. I'm just absolutely drained. I feel like I had a little glimpse of light at the end of a really long tunnel but I can't see it anymore!

OP posts:
shallwego · 02/12/2022 15:36

Sorry - I pressed post before I was finished.

I do have private healthcare through my employer but sadly it doesn't cover anything fertility related.. and I'm not entirely sure I could actually afford the private fertility fees. I've heard they're horrendously high!

OP posts:
Teadrinkingmumofone · 02/12/2022 15:37

I'm so sorry, what an awful ordeal you've been through, so far! I think you should put in a complaint, you could be on the right treatment path now if your correct information had been sent. There's now excuse for a mistake like that really.

Shouldhavebutdidnt · 02/12/2022 15:42

I can imagine that was extremely upsetting, I have sat and cried after doctors appointments too when they just don’t seem to want to help & things all get mixed up.

But don’t assume it is really expensive to have the tests to see if there is a cause done. We had them and it really wasn’t. Worth investigating more before you dismiss it.

I did have recurrent miscarriages so situation was different for us.

Good luck

shallwego · 02/12/2022 15:47

Thanks all. I felt so silly getting myself so worked up, but in the moment (and even now) it felt like I'd been thoroughly let down, and was such a kick in the teeth.

I've also been to the GP this week, as I'm having awful crippling pain around ovulation (there's a previous thread I made about this..)
He's pretty sure that he could feel a cyst during my examination, but advised that I'd need further scans to be sure, and that there's a 6-12 week wait for this.

I did manage to look into my private health insurance policy and since this isn't directly
linked to my ongoing fertility issues (this is a fairly new thing!!) I am able to be seen under the private cover for this. Which I'm so delighted about, as the pain has been absolutely horrendous.

I feel better about this now and to have a ball rolling in this department, and really the fertility issues we're having could even be down to this?? But still feel so utterly let down and disappointed with the treatment I've received this far. I'm gutted. And my insurance doesn't cover fertility matters so I'm going to have to stay on the NHS waiting list for this.

I was advised by the insurance provider that this is okay to do since they won't cover any fertility problems and the issues are unrelated so far. Unless of course I get answers and this changes.

OP posts:
ButterCrackers · 02/12/2022 15:47

Get your a copy of your medical notes. Get legal advice and write a complaint both to the GO and hospital. The new GP should call up the hospital dept to sort things out there for a fast appointment. Contact the hospital yourself too

ButterCrackers · 02/12/2022 15:48

mrsed1987 · 02/12/2022 15:31

Bless you sounds absolutely awful.

The waiting list is likely to be very long unfortunately, but you don't need me to tell you that, would going private be an option?

GO … I meant GP

Jubaju · 02/12/2022 15:53

Have they tested you for pcos?

shallwego · 02/12/2022 15:57

I've not had any tests as yet, but I'm hoping now I'm under the private healthcare scheme for my ovulation pains (I'm assuming it's this solely from the fact it's happened this month at exactly that time in my cycle) they may be able to send me for tests to check this.

🤞🏼

OP posts:
garlicandsapphires · 02/12/2022 16:09

You must get your DP tested too (semen analysis)
Good luck

RambamThankyouMam · 02/12/2022 16:16

You need to contact PALs or an ombudsman - it was the fault of the GP, and you should go straight to the top of the waiting list for the correct referral. Don't take this lying down!

shallwego · 02/12/2022 16:18

RambamThankyouMam · 02/12/2022 16:16

You need to contact PALs or an ombudsman - it was the fault of the GP, and you should go straight to the top of the waiting list for the correct referral. Don't take this lying down!

Okay - thank you! I've tried to contact PALS today but not got anywhere. It just rings and rings so I've left a message.

Very silly question - sorry - I'm not really thinking straight! How do I contact the Ombudsman and how will they be able to help? At this point I'm so desperate I'll contact anybody that's able to do something! 🫣😅

OP posts:
shallwego · 02/12/2022 16:47

I'm just not sure mentally how much more I can cope with. I just feel so down 😞

OP posts:
hadenoughforever · 02/12/2022 16:57

Haven’t got any solutions or ideas but just wanted offer hugs. I really hope that GP can expedite next appointment so that you don’t have to go back to beginning. Having gone through infertility treatment, I do appreciate the utter depths of despair you (one) can feel.

Wishing you the best and if I have any inspiration, I’ll return to the thread.

🌷🌷🌷

Luckypoppy · 02/12/2022 16:57

Email PALS. I've found they respond very quickly but often the office phone isn't manned.

Luckypoppy · 02/12/2022 16:58

Also mention the possible GDPR issues if it isn't your notes sent off. Ask for access to all of your medical notes.

shallwego · 02/12/2022 16:59

hadenoughforever · 02/12/2022 16:57

Haven’t got any solutions or ideas but just wanted offer hugs. I really hope that GP can expedite next appointment so that you don’t have to go back to beginning. Having gone through infertility treatment, I do appreciate the utter depths of despair you (one) can feel.

Wishing you the best and if I have any inspiration, I’ll return to the thread.

🌷🌷🌷

Thank you for your kind words, and I'm so sorry you've had to go through the same.

I try so hard to keep positive but sometimes it just gets too much to cope with!

OP posts:
shallwego · 02/12/2022 17:00

Luckypoppy · 02/12/2022 16:57

Email PALS. I've found they respond very quickly but often the office phone isn't manned.

Thank you. I shall give that a try! I've tried calling a few times today but had no joy. I'll try an email! :)

OP posts:
October2020 · 02/12/2022 17:00

Email PALS, don't ring them. Request your notes from the GP to be sure what they put in the initial referral letter.

Unfortunately he is right about BMI though. Need to be 30 before they'll do anything (I know from bitter experience). Private infertility support they'll work with you under 35ish in most cases.

shallwego · 02/12/2022 17:02

October2020 · 02/12/2022 17:00

Email PALS, don't ring them. Request your notes from the GP to be sure what they put in the initial referral letter.

Unfortunately he is right about BMI though. Need to be 30 before they'll do anything (I know from bitter experience). Private infertility support they'll work with you under 35ish in most cases.

Okay thank you. I'll send over an email.
I suppose that will also be useful for me to have a paper trail to refer back to.

I am going to ask for access to all my notes. How do I go about doing so? Do I call the GP??

I am still loosing weight (trying so hard!!) so I will hopefully get to below 30 soon enough Smile

OP posts:
October2020 · 02/12/2022 17:04

If you look on the GP website there will usually be information on there. Normally you'll need to fill in and form and share some ID etc. Bit fiddly but easy enough.

Well done on the weight loss. I know it just feels like another hurdle when things are already really unfair and hard.

ProfessionalTeaDrinker · 02/12/2022 17:14

The ombudsman is usually the next step if you feel your complaint hasn't been dealt with properly by the surgery. The first step would be to write to the surgery and ask them to look into what happened and provide an explanation. Unfortunately, it's highly unlikely that they will be able to expedite your new appointment. The only thing they can do is write and explain what's happened but Gynae are utterly swamped at the moment (in most areas) and are booking based on clinical information only, although some hospitals will put you on the short notice cancellation list.