Can I sue this doctor?

[aussierules3]

Long one sorry! I’m based in Australia for travelling which makes a difference to how it all works.

I went to a&e for extreme bloating and felt really sick. The consultant asked for my symptoms and felt it could be one of two things; a) high cortisol levels or b) metabolism issues/similar issues to diabetes due to my PCOS.

He wrote a referral for my doctor, for cortisol and metabolic panels.

I went to the local GP. The doctor was instantly dismissive. He said something along the lines of “this referral is highly inappropriate, A&E shouldn’t be telling me what to do”. He was reluctant to do it, he initially tried to tell me it was food allergy and I should try eating gluten free. After some persisting from me, he agreed to refer me to pathology.
When I left, I realised he had referred me for a simple prick test for cortisol, when the referral from a&e said it had to be a 24 hour urine test. I went back into the doctors and asked to see him again, so he could actually refer me for what I actually asked. He refused to see me in person, he just called in the receptionist and changed it for me.
This simple appointment cost me $80.

I then went to get the urine test done ($120). I was told the results were in a few days later, and made a phone appointment for the results at 11:20 that morning.
It was around 12:30pm and the doctor still hadn’t called me.
I went into the doctors to ask what was going on, and the receptionist said he will call me sometime that day. Pointless making an appointment.
I left but then went in again, saying it was silly and I asked to talk to him in person because I was anxious about the results. The receptionist called him and he said he was “busy with patients”, but then rung me 2 minutes later. So avoided me in person again.

He said “the results are normal”.
I asked for a copy to be emailed, nothing was sent. I called the GP 3 further times, and I never received anything.

This was two weeks ago so I finally went into the doctors today to ask for my results to be printed out.

The cortisol was normal.
The ‘u-creatinine’ was waaaay above average range. This can indicate kidney failure or diabetes.

So after everything, he tried to tell me my results were normal without even discussing what they meant.

I am now really really panicking, I’ve spent so much money and I’m honestly fuming.

Is there anything I can do here?

Why are you seeing this doctor who is so dismissive? In the UK, I’d ask to see an alternative doctor in the practice.

There are quite a few Australians on MN, but not enough I think to mean you’re likely to get the attention of one (or someone elsewhere) who knows the Australian legal system. At least maybe move this to Legal board?
I think under English /Welsh law you have to demonstrate harm - which you can’t.
Why jump to sue instead of follow your national complaints procedure?
Hope it’s a rogue result, or something inconsequential.

I can understand you’re anxious but you sound like a PITA constantly turning up at his practice. Doctors are busy FYI!

Do you live next door to the surgery???
The Gp was correct about A+E telling him his job though. But you were also BU for turning up there for bloating. Bloating and feeling sick is neither an accident nor an emergency.

Sue him for what? What is the harm that you have come to? Have you got a confirmed diagnosis of kidney failure or diabetes?
In the UK, A&E and secondary care write to GPs all the time asking for additional tests and referrals but not sure what the set up for Oz is. I am also not sure how you ended up in A&E for bloating.
In short, unless you have a confirmed diagnosis of a life-changing condition that you think was missed/could have been missed had you not got the test, it’s unclear what your complaint actually is.

For creatinine to be properly measured you need a 24hr urine collection. A high one off reading can be caused by many many factors, including dehydration and PCOS

You need to focus on your current medical situation. Get a new GP if your happy with yours.

How high was your creatinine? It would very very unusual for someone with a really high creatinine not to be referred for at least a repeat, if not nephro or ED (depending on circumstances).

Bit weird your focus is suing rather than working out what’s wrong.

I don’t think you have cause to sue.

You do have reason to make a complaint. And you should.

Find another doctor. Ideally one that bulk bills if you are worried about cost. Do you get reciprocal healthcare or do you have to pay?

I agree

Plus bloating and feeling sick is not appropriate for A&E 🙄

I don’t think you can sue. I would just go and see a different doctor from now on. In Australia you can just go to any doctor at any practice you like. If you aren’t eligible for Medicare then you will have to pay, it could possibly be covered by travel insurance maybe if you are travelling rather than live in aus all the time.

Sue on what grounds? Do you have thousands of dollars spare at your disposal? If you do, you'd be better off spending it on your medical care.

This. Focus less on being grabby and more on the medical issues you have.

You think you have kidney failure but are more concerned with suing the doctor than getting to the bottom of it.

Get a new GP if you don't like the one you have, especially if you are paying for your services.

Stop going to Accident and Emergency for things that are not Accidents or Emergencies... Bloating & Nausea? Did you blow up and turn blue like the girl in Willy Wonka? No then why the hell go to A&E? You're a contributing factor there's a 14 hour wait for people who have actually had an accident or are in an emergency situation.

You can just see any GP in Australia., unless their books are closed, so I suggest you find a new one. You can't sue him OP, you'd have to establish harm for a start. The bar for medical negligence is pretty high here, but I can't imagine this being considered medical negligence anywhere. Test results are subject to interpretation. The guy sounds like a dick, and your level of anxiety around this sounds very high. but most doctors would give short shift to a patient that behaved this way. If you want to follow this up this is information on the complaints procedure for health practitioners
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Notifications/Concerned-about-a-health-practitioner.aspx

Can't help with the suing question but you're right to worry. An acquaintance of ours wasn't told for several years that her test had shown possible diabetes and now cannot walk, has no feeling in her feet and lower legs along with other issues directly caused by the lack of information.

Can you see a different doctor?

What exactly are you planning to sue for? 🤔

You can make a complaint. If you live in New South Wales then it's the Medical Council of NSW and I think the rest of Aus has banned together to have their own larger medical council. The Med council will look into complaints large and small about fitness to practice and conduct. Even things like bedside manner can be investigated and the Dr put on a course if the Medical council deems it necessary.

You might want to get to the bottom of your medical issue so that you have a full picture of any negligence .
Hope that is helpful.

Don't you think if you'd had kidney failure two weeks ago that you'd probably be dead?