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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if you have test results the Doctor should ring you?

28 replies

Shalh · 16/02/2023 16:06

I've been told by text I need to speak to the Dr regarding my recent blood test and a 2nd text said I need to test repeating in 3 months.

I rang to speak to him as requested and was told I need to make a phone appointment. The screenshot is the image of my phone from me trying to get an appointment recently! 216 tries and still didn't get through! It's almost impossible to get one. So something is obviously wrong with my results but they won't tell me, won't give me an appointment and just say ring at 8.30 to try again.

AIBU to think if the Dr needs to speak to you about test results it should be down to them to give you a quick call between telephone consults rather than the onus be on the patient to book a whole appointment session to get the results? Especially when it's extremely hard to get an appointment?

To think if you have test results the Doctor should ring you?
OP posts:
Sherk · 16/02/2023 16:09

YABU. A discussion about test results needs an appointment, not a quick squeeze in - unless the results are urgent in which case you’d be added on as an extra at the end of clinic.

Original poster
Shalh · 16/02/2023 16:13

Sherk · 16/02/2023 16:09

YABU. A discussion about test results needs an appointment, not a quick squeeze in - unless the results are urgent in which case you’d be added on as an extra at the end of clinic.

And what if I can't get an appointment for weeks like happens sometimes? I just don't get my results or treatment?

Why can't they just email over the test results and explication if its nothing serious enough to warrent them bothering to call?

OP posts:
Hotelfoxtrot · 16/02/2023 16:15

Don’t you have the NHS app OP? All my results get uploaded onto there, I check for them myself

murasaki · 16/02/2023 16:17

Even more annoying, DP was ordered to have blood tests, did it in 18th Jan, and keeps phoning the doctors only to be told by the perfectly nice receptionist that they haven't looked at them yet. It's nearly a month. He's only a few days away from staging a sit in in reception with some scotch eggs and some tunes, apparently. I am trying to dissuade him but can see his point, he's phoned 4 times now...

ohnoh · 16/02/2023 16:19

It doesn’t really work like that though I agree with you OP
if they need time to discuss your results with you they need to allocate the time as an appointment slot
also they’re being inundated with results constantly
sometimes they may give a quick call or text if results are returned to them and seen personally but I think generally they still would need an appointment to discuss properly

unless of course it’s a life threatening then someone in the practice will have caught sight of it anyway and would be making contact
It’s not the doctors’ fault it’s the system and if you can’t book a slot that’s rubbish

Original poster
Shalh · 16/02/2023 16:19

And if a full appointment is needed then shouldn't they book people in themselves and just call to give results. A small portion of the daily phone consults should be listed patients waiting for results.

OP posts:
Reugny · 16/02/2023 16:21

Hotelfoxtrot · 16/02/2023 16:15

Don’t you have the NHS app OP? All my results get uploaded onto there, I check for them myself

Not all GPs practices upload test results still....

Original poster
Shalh · 16/02/2023 16:21

I'm just fed up. I'm not going to be able to get an appointment, Fridays are always especially busy.

It will be even worse from Monday as kids are off school locally.

I think I'm anaemic. I just can't stay awake all day, I'm just so tired.

OP posts:
Grumpybutfunny · 16/02/2023 16:41

Are the results not on the NHS app? The GP would make an appointment if it was urgent so I don't think those waiting for slightly abnormal results should get priority over those who haven't even been seen. DH was likely anaemia (new vegan) we bought him some multivitamins and 6 weeks later he's back to normal

Fairysilver · 16/02/2023 16:42

Can you view the results on the app or on systmonline?
Is there no econsult on the practice website?

ButterfliesandMoths · 16/02/2023 16:44

I had this. Text saying I needed to speak to doctor about test results. Made an appointment, waited a month for telephone appointment. Spoke to doctor and he was 'meh nothing to worry about' total waste of an appointment and my time.

OffYouPopNow · 16/02/2023 16:45

The GP would make an appointment if it was urgent so I don't think those waiting for slightly abnormal results should get priority over those who haven't even been seen

Quite.
With over 300 test results each week, how exactly would any patients get seen in between the dr calling each patient to discuss results? It will never be ‘a quick call’ either because of the questions. ..there are always questions.

Xol · 16/02/2023 16:46

Sherk · 16/02/2023 16:09

YABU. A discussion about test results needs an appointment, not a quick squeeze in - unless the results are urgent in which case you’d be added on as an extra at the end of clinic.

Why does it have to be a "quick squeeze in"? Surely the doctor can and should schedule the call for when they have adequate time to give to it?

GoodChat · 16/02/2023 16:52

They'll call you if they need to speak to you.

daffodilandtulip · 16/02/2023 16:53

I had this with DD and when I finally got through, was told there was no point in seeing the dr before the second test was repeated. They wouldn't even tell me why it was being repeated.

ThreeLittleDots · 16/02/2023 16:55

Our duty GPs text us via e-consult, usually same day. It's crap it's so hit-and-miss in different areas.

I think I'm anaemic. I just can't stay awake all day, I'm just so tired

If you have no contraindications I'd just buy myself some iron.

Crikeyalmighty · 16/02/2023 16:58

My GP practice called me to arrange a suitable time for the nurse to call back to discuss -

Orangesandlemons77 · 16/02/2023 16:58

It sounds like they are doing a repeat to check, maybe at that point they will ring if anything is amiss

I also think they are too busy to make all these phone calls atm and we can check it out ourselves on e.g the app, maybe ask about online access?

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 16/02/2023 17:07

Sherk · 16/02/2023 16:09

YABU. A discussion about test results needs an appointment, not a quick squeeze in - unless the results are urgent in which case you’d be added on as an extra at the end of clinic.

Which is what the OP has tried to do, hence the 200+ phone calls.

The fact that people think its ok to be told you need an appointment only for the surgery to not actually automatically give you an appointment just shows how accustomed we've come to how crap it's all become

Aaron95 · 16/02/2023 17:33

Shalh · 16/02/2023 16:13

And what if I can't get an appointment for weeks like happens sometimes? I just don't get my results or treatment?

Why can't they just email over the test results and explication if its nothing serious enough to warrent them bothering to call?

Show quote history

Email is not a secure medium. NHS staff are not allowed to use it to send confidential information to patients, or to anyone outside of the NHS.

CottonSock · 16/02/2023 17:38

My doctor did call me once unprompted. My iron was so low I could barely stand.

sodonewithit2 · 16/02/2023 17:38

YANBU in my opinion.

I had a blood test for iron in November. Got a letter in December for an appointment in mid January.

They told me my iron levels were low but couldn't do anything until the doctor rang.

Mid January I got a phone call and he's like do you know what the bloods were for? Okay here's some iron tablets.

I was really struggling with the effects of low iron and also breastfeeding but had to wait 8 weeks for a GP to ring me and prescribe iron tablets.

It's honestly a bit of joke. I then got access to my medical records and my iron level was 12 which is more than half lower than normal.

Hope you get sorted out! It's so worrying x

Grizzledstrawberry · 16/02/2023 17:41

Just want to put your mind and rest, although there's obviously something wrong its likely not going to be serious, I once had a phone call at 3am in the morning because there was something seriously wrong on my blood test so they don't wait around if its bad/dangerous, the lab sent my results to urgent care/cancer unit rather than my GP.

But yes, getting a appointment at the moment is absolutely ridiculous, it shouldn't be that hard to see a GP!

Nimbostratus100 · 16/02/2023 17:47

its a nightmare, isnt it.

but having a doctor ring at random moments unexpectedly isnt the answer

Ive been given life changing results and had to discuss my uterus on the bus

Ive been told I have cancer in a year 11 maths lesson

I have missed crucial calls by not having my phone in my hand at the exact moment they rang

There needs to be a way of booking a phone call at a manageable time

TheSnowyOwl · 16/02/2023 17:53

The problem is that it’s not a quick call in between other calls and often those other calls overrun as well.

I do think a phone/in person appointment should be automatically booked for you if an appointment needed although I expect enough people don’t attend them that it means it’s not a viable process. Can you go there in person and speak to the receptionist to get an appointment?

When blood test results have been that concerning, a GP has called me so hopefully whilst your test needs to be repeated it’s not serious.

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