I had an issue about a year and half ago of an intimate nature which was causing much distress.
Went to GP after it was obvious I couldn’t solve it myself, having researched the treatment I needed, and asked for it at the appointment.
On (intimate) examination, the GP agreed that the medication I asked for might be correct but first wanted me to a different treatment and come back in a few weeks.
I wasn’t happy but agreed. Treatment made matters worse as I suspected. Check up was delayed as GP went off sick and appt was cancelled and I was told I had to ring on the day which took a while. In the end, I was given a Saturday appointment at the out of hours hub.
I saw a male locum GP there who insisted on another intimate examination which I refused as I’d just had one recently and hadn’t prepared myself mentally (rape and CSA history) and I said surely the previous observations and my explanation of symptoms was enough. He said I had to go back to see the original GP at my own surgery so again, took a few more weeks to get seen.
The next appointment was with a Nurse practitioner after having explained my symptoms to the Receptionist, and previous visits, she said the Nurse would do a telephone appointment.
On the telephone appointment, I again explained, said I’d been examined and requested the treatment I originally asked for. The Nurse was very brusque and asked if I was a medical professional, I said No but I know my body (age 53 and my issue was common in women in my age). Then she said it should have been a face to face appointment for another intimate examination, not by phone so I’d need to rebook again! I was a little annoyed as she seemed quite sarcastic with the ‘are you a medical professional’ comment, and was upset that I needed another examination, but not rude.
I later read the consultation note she put in on the NHS app where she said I’d been rude and a chaperone would be needed! The tone was more of a ‘difficult patient’ rather than a chaperone for the intimate examination!
At the face to face appointment (another few weeks later!), she examined me again despite me saying I didn’t want to be examined again but would have to be, then said I COULD have a condition which the 1st GP had noted there were no signs of in my initial appointment. I queried this as we were now 6 months down the line from when the issue started and I surely would have tell tale signs. She said it may not have come out yet but I needed an urgent referral to a gynaecologist. TBH this made me a tad worried! She also said she’d spoken to the lead GP for prescribing and the treatment I’d requested would not be given as it was dangerous. It’s actually a recommended treatment for my issue and is low risk! She gave no treatment for what she thought it could be. Generally GPs can treat this anyway so I was confused at the urgent referral to gynaecology.
I then made a formal complaint about this including a copy of the NHS guidelines, and about unnecessary intimate examinations and the treatment I’d requested being quite reasonable considering my symptoms so I should at least be able to try it.
That was over a year ago. I got an acknowledgement that I’d get a response in 30 days and then tumbleweed…….
While waiting for the gynaecologist referral, I rang a few times to chase up but no one ever came back to me. I was getting a bit anxious thinking it might be something more serious that they weren’t telling me. in the meantime problem persisted causing great discomfort.
I got the gynaecologist appointment 6 months later and after another examination, I was told there was no sign of the condition the Nurse thought it was, which I knew, and I was then referred to a menopause clinic a few months later and they confirmed it was what I thought it was all along and finally I got the treatment! They were very confused as to why my GP surgery hadn’t given it to me in the first place. Issue has greatly improved now.
So, in March, I updated my original complaint sent last May, stating that a year of worry and discomfort could have been avoided if they listened to the patient and again querying why they are giving incorrect information on the risk of the treatment of I’d requested as other women may have suffered similarly.
This time not even an acknowledgment that they’d received it.
I’ve rang a few times to chase again, and at one point was put through to the Practice Manager, who the complaint had to be addressed to. She flustered bit saying she’d have to do some digging to find the complaint as she couldn’t remember it and promised to call me back later that day. That was a week ago. When I rang again today, I was told she was in a meeting.
It looks to me like they’re hoping I get fed up and go away.
Both complaints are noted on my NHS record. In fact the Practice Manager, who said she’d have to find the complaint, was the one who sent the acknowledgment saying I’d get a response with 30 days.
I am pretty angry tbh. I’ve read on other forums that women with my issue go to GP and treatment is prescribed based on symptoms without even an examination. I had to have 4, at least 3 of which were unnecessary and they are preventing women from being prescribed a treatment that NHS guidelines recommend!
AIBU and WWYD?