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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my GP was useless and I should complain?

34 replies

Connected1 · 27/10/2023 11:51

My asthma is normally well controlled, but yesterday while recovering from a chest infection (treated with antibiotics and oral steroids) I had an asthma attack. I improved after multiple ventolin doses, but still was breathless on moving or talking so I phoned my GP for advice on whether I needed more treatment.

I was breathless on the phone, and the receptionist seemed concerned and said she'd get me a call back. I thought it would be urgent, but the GP phoned back well over 2 hours later.
She suggested oral steroids but I explained I was already taking them.
She seemed at a loss then, apart from raising the dose, so I asked if I could come in for a nebuliser treatment. She said no they didn't offer nebuliser, but I queried that as I had it at the surgery before (she's new to the surgery).

She then went to ask the nurse and in the process we got cut off. She called me back to say that the surgery did offer it,......but I would have to hang up and call back to reception so they could make an appointment! At this stage I was so breathless and felt so poorly that I just said 'OK' and hung up.

I couldn't believe the lack of urgency, as it was costing me an effort even to talk. My husband came home & called an ambulance. The ambulance medics said to always call 112, (or go direct to the hospital as I live quite close to it) in the event of another attack. I know this is the official advice but because I had improved a bit initially, I wasn't sure if I should follow through. I got treatment and I'm recovering at home.

I think the doctor, or even the receptionist, when they heard how poorly I was, should have advised me to ring 112 or go straight to A&E. And I especially couldn't believe that they expected me to call back to make an appointment again. When you're feeling so ill, it's very hard to get the proper help you need and you just want someone else to take over for you.

I am of course going to complain to the surgery, but wanted to hear what people, especially with a medical background, think about this treatment. I can't quite believe it was as bad as it was!

OP posts:
Obbydoo · 27/10/2023 11:56

Did you go to hospital?

DisquietintheRanks · 27/10/2023 11:57

I don't have a medical background but I am an asthmatic. The gp should have advised you to call the paramedics but really you should have known to do that. What does your asthma management plan say? Were you not monitoring your peak flow?

Original poster
Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:01

DisquietintheRanks · 27/10/2023 11:57

I don't have a medical background but I am an asthmatic. The gp should have advised you to call the paramedics but really you should have known to do that. What does your asthma management plan say? Were you not monitoring your peak flow?

I don't have an asthma management plan or a peak flow meter. Usually my asthma is well controlled with a preventative inhaler.

OP posts:
Original poster
Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:06

Obbydoo · 27/10/2023 11:56

Did you go to hospital?

No, they treated me in the ambulance, and did various tests. After they stabilised me they said I could recover at home, or go in for a chest X-ray, but I would be waiting a long time in A&E. So I opted to stay home.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 27/10/2023 12:07

Even if it’s well controlled you should have a management plan to follow. Perhaps get one put in place and get a peak flow meter too.

KrisAkabusi · 27/10/2023 12:08

I think this is a bit on you. If you've been told to call 112 you should have called 112. Phoning someone else and waiting around only wastes time. The doctor could have handled it better, but given that everyone knows how busy they are and how difficult it is talk to one, you should not have expected an immediate response. Next time phone 112 or go to A&E.

DisquietintheRanks · 27/10/2023 12:09

Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:01

I don't have an asthma management plan or a peak flow meter. Usually my asthma is well controlled with a preventative inhaler.

Show quote history

Mine too but I still have an asthma management plan, and a peak flow meter, for the rare occasions that things go tits up.

So yes you should complain but you should be complaining about the lack of an asthma management plan and training (for you) in how to implement it. They've been standard for 20+ years now, can't think what your surgery is playing at.

Sirzy · 27/10/2023 12:13

That sounds like it was a hospital situation not a GP one. GPs are limited in what they can do for asthma and what they had already done was the limit of that.

echoing others you need an asthma treatment plan in place so you know where to turn when

Original poster
Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:13

KrisAkabusi · 27/10/2023 12:08

I think this is a bit on you. If you've been told to call 112 you should have called 112. Phoning someone else and waiting around only wastes time. The doctor could have handled it better, but given that everyone knows how busy they are and how difficult it is talk to one, you should not have expected an immediate response. Next time phone 112 or go to A&E.

In hindsight maybe, but as I said, I had improved after the Ventolin, so I wasn't sure if I should call112. I felt OK if I did nothing, but moving or talking made me worse. So I needed advice.
GPs are busy but the ambulance service and A&E are more stretched surely.

OP posts:
RuthW · 27/10/2023 12:14

You should have rang 999. GPs are not an emergency service.

Hbh17 · 27/10/2023 12:16

The GP has many, many other patients - you are not going to be top of her list. It's also not an emergency service, and you had other options in that regard. If you have had this condition for a while, it's up to you to take some responsibility and it would be ridiculously unfair to complain about the GP.

Original poster
Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:17

RuthW · 27/10/2023 12:14

You should have rang 999. GPs are not an emergency service.

Thank you. That's what I'm thinking now. I'm also thinking the receptionist should have given me the same advice.

OP posts:
Cheeesus · 27/10/2023 12:17

Do you mean 112=999 or 111? I am trying not to be pedantic, but struggling to get my thoughts straight without knowing.

In any case, yes you need a management plan, so maybe get on with getting that in place, then it will be clearer another time.

Original poster
Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:18

Cheeesus · 27/10/2023 12:17

Do you mean 112=999 or 111? I am trying not to be pedantic, but struggling to get my thoughts straight without knowing.

In any case, yes you need a management plan, so maybe get on with getting that in place, then it will be clearer another time.

Yes, 112. I'm in Ireland so there's no 111

OP posts:
Cheeesus · 27/10/2023 12:20

Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:18

Yes, 112. I'm in Ireland so there's no 111

Show quote history

But what does 112 equate to? Emergency or not. Ah, I’ve googled and it’s emergency.

DailyEnergyCrisis · 27/10/2023 12:21

You have to take responsibility for your health- the GP surgery can’t be expected to adequately assess you over the phone when you actually need faster access to emergency medicine.

Original poster
Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:21

Cheeesus · 27/10/2023 12:20

But what does 112 equate to? Emergency or not. Ah, I’ve googled and it’s emergency.

Edited
Show quote history

Oh yes sorry - 112 is 999

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 27/10/2023 12:30

The receptionist won’t be medically trained and a GP can’t assess asthma over the phone. You just need a plan.

SympatheticCrooner · 27/10/2023 12:32

When you are seriously (dangerously) out of breath for any reason call 999 for an ambulance or if you're unsure 111 who.will make an assessment and send one if necessary or book you at an emergency walk-in. GP surgeries are no longer good to go to in such emergencies and haven't been in the case of Asthma for a good 15 years. Back in the day you could walk in and use the nebuliser, my understanding is this is either discouraged or not a service available in many surgeries anymore. And frankly as an Asthmatic of over 40 years now I am sad to say the knowledge about Asthma has diminished amongst GP's that's just fact. A lot of them still cling to beliefs like asthma = wheezing. Therefore if you are not wheezing, but are struggling to breathe with inflamed airways and using your inhaler chronicslly, you are not having an asthma attack. I stick to the Asthma nurse for all asthma appointments, not just reviews. They often make an assessment and doctor just follows through.

You can also ring Asthma & Lung UK if you feel your asthma is out of control. They are excellent (though expect to be told off if you haven't been doing all the things you should do) and got me emergency steroids following a severe attack once and can suggest a different inhaler if necessary.

You were naive, but hopefully now you know better.

SingingSands · 27/10/2023 12:46

To answer the question in your title: no.

Your GP was working - presumably with a full clinic list. Why are you complaining that it took 2 hours for her to call you back - she can't stop seeing her booked patients for every phone call.

If you were capable of phoning your surgery, you were capable of phoning 112, which is what you should have done.

If you complain you'll be adding to everyone's workload with having to investigate and respond to you. GP surgeries are not for emergencies. You sought help from the wrong resource and now you're blaming them for not helping you?

I think you need to take ownership of your own health condition and that means accessing the appropriate channels at the appropriate times. Make a GP appointment to increase your steroid dose, make an appointment with the asthma clinic for a monitoring and treatment plan, use 112 for emergencies.

2inabed · 27/10/2023 12:47

100% if the receptionist told you to ring 999 you would be on here complaining that she told you that and gate keeping appointments and wouldn't let you speak to the doctor. The receptionist did her job and did absolutely nothing wrong. I'd like you said you could barely speak I would of rang 999 or the NHS advice line.

Bluevelvetsofa · 27/10/2023 12:56

Maybe it’s different in Ireland, but in England, I have an annual review, with peak flow readings. I’m surprised you haven’t had continuing reviews of your condition.

Neriah · 27/10/2023 12:57

Connected1 · 27/10/2023 12:13

In hindsight maybe, but as I said, I had improved after the Ventolin, so I wasn't sure if I should call112. I felt OK if I did nothing, but moving or talking made me worse. So I needed advice.
GPs are busy but the ambulance service and A&E are more stretched surely.

Show quote history

Sorry but I do think you are being somewhat unreasonable here. Nobody expects an immediate call back from a GP - to be honest waiting only 2 hours was actually pretty quick. You did know what to do if you had a bad attack, but you didn't do it. Hindsight shouldn't have been involved. So perhaps they might have handled the conversation better, but I don't think you have much to complain about.

Original poster
Connected1 · 27/10/2023 13:00

@SympatheticCrooner
Thanks for the good advice. I'm in Ireland so it's a bit different, the options are either GP or A&E.
My practice has no asthma nurse, and the Asthma Advice line isn't for emergencies here. But I take on board what you're saying. I'll have to educate myself more.

OP posts:
Original poster
Connected1 · 27/10/2023 13:04

Bluevelvetsofa · 27/10/2023 12:56

Maybe it’s different in Ireland, but in England, I have an annual review, with peak flow readings. I’m surprised you haven’t had continuing reviews of your condition.

No, I'm only seen if I'm unwell. The doctor's never asked me to come for a review.

OP posts:
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