Communication with GP surgery

[Orangesandlemons77]

It's not only impossible to get an appointment at the GPs now it seems also very difficult to get results as well.

I had an MRI scan and the results are back, (had to email them and find out it had not been sent and to get it sent again)

After this I am told by the GPs that I am not authorised to see the results and " if I wish to discuss the results I will need to make a telephone appointment with the GP"

OK but there are none. I tell them this and they say they haven't got any over the Christmas period.

They can't email me the results despite authorising me for full online clinical access (so not sure what the point in doing that was)

It is a nightmare getting through to GPs or results back at the moment.

They said something about could try ringing for a emergency appointment first thing at 8am but it is not an emergency.

For my GP you can also only discuss the results by making an emergency appointment. No wonder it's impossible to get through at 8.30. As far as I understand it they are obliged to provide you with the scan results, so can you go in and ask them to print a copy if they won't email them? At my surgery they will only do this after a GP has looked at the results which sometimes seems to take an inordinately long time. One would hope if there was anything concerning it would have been flagged up.

Yes I think that is the issue, the GP has to look at it first.

It makes me wonder how more vulnerable patients cope. I only got the results in because I emailed the hospital which did them who said they had sent them but the GP's was saying they hadn't had anything so they re-sent them.

There is at least a main email address but that is just general not medical

I'm trying to get the results of my DC's ultrasound scan. It was referred through paediatric A&E and I have been told by them that the only way to get the results is to go back up to A&E which seems like a ludicrous waste of time for everyone!

have you requested online access to your gp records?
I've not had any MRI scans, but I get to see test results online through that route - find it really useful to know results before discussing them with GP.

Who ordered the MRI in the first place? Was it your GP or was it a hospital doctor or other clinician?

Ring at 8am or go in person and make an appt for that day. It's not an emergency, you'd be at the hospital of it was but it is important.

The GP

I have been authorised for full clinical access yes, but can't seem to view scans via either the online site or the NHS app

On the system we use results are 'provisional' until the GP who ordered them has viewed them and commented. 'Provisional' results are not available to the patient online, they are only visible once the GP has commented.

OK thanks, think they are off right now so hopefully all will be sorted out once they are back. I can see there is something on my online records, now, about calling me back once they have the results so unsure if I have to do the ringing up thing or not.

If all else fails, make a Subject Access Request under GDPR. They have to provide the records you request but it can take up to a month.

Re vulnerable patients - they end up without access to medical care.

You'd make the SAR to the hospital that did the scan and report. They often have an online form and can be quick depending on demand. The month is the maximum time they have to respond by.

Thanks for the advice, but it seems ridiculous that a patient should have to do something like a SAR to simply get their scan results

Surely it is the GPs job to inform about and explain results