Should I complain? NHS

[Worriemummy]

Before I start I work in the NHS and I know things were bad but I’m not sure if I’m letting my emotions run wild so this seems worse than it is or if you would complain?

DD5 ( v healthy previously - no doctors visits apart from immunisations). Developed a small lump on her face in January. You couldn’t see it but could feel it. We thought it was a blackhead or something and cleaned it daily etc but it just grew. Visited the pharmacy who advised to ring the GP for an urgent appointment. Rung the next few days but it took 10 days to get an appointment. GP didn’t think we needed to be seen face to face and said it sounded like a spot - continue washing.

2 weeks later she woke up, lump was red, inflamed, much bigger (DD was fine in herself) . Contacted GP every day for a week but the receptionist said every day that we’ve already been seen for this issue to why are you still ringing. I explained it had changed but we still couldn’t get an appointment. In the end we were given a pre book able appointment…for October (this was in April). They said was impatient, dramatic and maybe needed mental health support for heal anxiety…

it obviously wasn’t a a&e matter at this point, I did ring minor injuries but they said it doesn’t fit the criteria they have.

I felt completely abandoned at this point and now the spot was painful and my DD was missing school. So we booked an appointment with plastic surgeon. Saw him in 3 day, turns out it’s a tumour and he could remove it. We arrange for the surgery with him and he removed it within 2 weeks (obviously at a cost).

we still haven’t seen the GP. Would you complain about this or just leave it as it’s hopefully all over??

Can you change GP surgery?

Really sorry to hear you've been through this. I have 1 and 3 year olds and we always get same day appointments for them.

Have you heard of Martha's law? I wonder if it could have been used in this situation. Anyway - they need to know their policies need to be reviewed.

www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/marthas-rule/

Complain in writing x

You have to complain OP, for the next child who might not be so fortunate.

Same thing happened to us. Less worrying as lesion that happens to be benign but can occasionally be malignant. Growing steadily and surely. She now won't wear clothes that show it (noticeable). Had to go private for first biopsy. Recommended re excision just to be sure. NHS still won't cover it. What the hell would have happened if it was the malignant version and we didn't pay? Apparently it's 'cosmetic'. On a child. Disgusted for you and for the state of it. Like you, I slog my guts out for the NHS. Not there when my children need it. Children are literally the most vulnerable in society.

Please write a letter of complaint and let them know you had to take out a loan to help pay costs. They should compensate you / reimburse the costs. This lack of care is disgraceful. GP practices should not be asking receptionists who are not medically trained to triage patients.

Did you read what I wrote? I called 111 and was told to go to A& E. They were worried I had sepsis. My sister in law recently had an infected cyst, was taken to A&E, had an operation, had to see the district nurse every day for two weeks to have it dressed. Of course you go to A& E if you are advised to go there. Infected cysts can be dangerous. I certainly didn't wait a few days and see my GP.

Sorry i thought the Oct appointment was a referral to a specialist.

Good for him. I was a GP and hated telephone consultations. There is some place for them but they're not any faster than face to face as you have to really safety net yourself. Silly managers

Yes you need to raise it to help protect others at all cost

OMG! Your child has cancer and it’s just been swept aside? That’s hideous! I hope she’s now very much in ‘the system’- once ‘in’ it’s so much better; you’ll be assigned ‘named’ people, there’ll be a plan. Everything crossed that it all works out okay!

Some tumours are benign rather than cancerous. Even if it wasn't cancerous, it may be for the next child and it just isn't good enough.

Oh, please ignore what I said 😬 I jumped to a conclusion, I just read tumour and thought the worst! I then did what I should’ve done and read the whole thread, sorry!

But still, I mean, what are you supposed to be thinking if you’ve been told your child has a tumour? I’d want heads to roll, too!

Yes I would strongly complain about this, it's appalling

I’m sorry you’re last paragraph reads like you were referring to the OP.

I’d complain, to try and stop it happening to others but also I’d make sure that any reference to parental anxiety in their notes has the explanation of what it actually was.
i had skin cancer that ended up having to be diagnosed privately due to being dismissed as anxiety over and over, and the anxiety issue keeps coming up, even after the fact, oh you have anxiety? For legitimate issues I’ve gone back with since and it feels physical issues are being overlooked because of the anxiety (which I don’t have!) notes issue

Definitely complain. If it stops this happening to another child that’s a good thing to come out of it.

That is awful; I hope your daughter is okay now. yes, I would complain, as not everyone can afford to go private, and it would be awful happening to someone else. sadly, these days it's not uncommon to have to fight for what you want with GPs and get blocked all the time.

In addition I might also speak to a medical malpractise lawyer. The NHS should be paying for this surgery!!

The Care Quality Commission?

Yes complain, but YABU to think anything will actually change.

I would be complaining. That's disgusting that the receptionist is giving medical opinion!

CQC asap! I worled in the NHS in a variety of rolls. Including PALS. You need to complain, email and CC everyone you can including local authority health board.

My husband went to the doctor with pain in his lower leg in his carf, the doctor dismissed a blood clot, saying as my husband is slim and fit it won't be a clot, this pain went on for 3 months, when he went back and ask for a blood test, in the end she said I will do one but you don't really need it, well after the test rang him next day saying get straight up the hospital you could have a clot, he did have one luckily it was still in the lower leg and hasn't move up, just gos to show they don't always get it right.

Utterly disgraceful your child was treated that way. You should complain. What a farce.