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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think most GPs just fob you off

157 replies

littlestmummystop · 16/03/2010 22:30

I have my own GP in a big new shiny surgery but never get to see her as she is always booked up and often goes on holiday. So I get a different one every time I go..

I am a pretty healthy person luckily, but really don't feel like I can trust most GP's opinions. They always seem to just go for the easiest diagnosis.

I can see why so many people's cancers etc. are missed by shoddy GPs.

The latest advice is for people to stop bothering GPs with minor ailments, but you have to wait so long for an appointment I can't see why anyone would go unless they have to.
Then when you finally do get there, they are usually so dismissive that only people who complain the loudest will get proper care.
I understand they have a tough job but I can't help but feel most have a sense of superiority and are left not answerable to anyone.

AIBU?

OP posts:
jasper · 17/03/2010 00:41

YABVU
Lots of my family and friends are GPs and I do not recognise your description at all.

jasper · 17/03/2010 00:51

I am astonished at the things people take their kids to the docs for. Like normal coughs and colds, aches and pains , high temperatures and stuff.

Speedy, I really am amazed you took your 18 m old into a doctor's surgery to ask them to check temp. WHy not just feel with your hand? So what if it was up?

jasper · 17/03/2010 00:52

Maybe if you think all GPs are crap you should look elsewhere for the common denominator in your dealings with them.

jasper · 17/03/2010 00:54

As for OP's remark "they always seem to go for the easiest diagnosis"

Yes, that's because of a general principle in medicine (and other things) that common things occur COMMONLY

WhereYouLeftIt · 17/03/2010 01:58

Yes jasper, that point stuck out for me too. It sort of sounded like the OP was insulted by having a common condition when she really wanted to have something rare and exotic diagnosed. Which possibly explains why she also says "I ... really don't feel like I can trust most GP's opinions." How many has she gone through, I wondered, looking for one that would agree with her opinion?

I note she hasn't been back to the thread since setting this particular rabbit running ... .

helenwombat · 17/03/2010 04:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TottWriter · 17/03/2010 10:54

The trouble is, there are absolutely shoddy GPs out there. When they (quite rightly) get picked up on, then everyone else overreacts and tars all the fantastic majority with the same brush. I'm guilty of this myself.

When I was eighteen I started having convulsions. I went to my GP, and saw a string of other doctors as my GP never seemed to be there (this was a small surgery with 2 GPs, so the fact I saw six or seven people surprised me). I was told (in no particular order) that it was my age and I would grow out of it, that it was depression or anxiety and I should take anti-depressants, that they would do a blood test (they did) and that ruled out anything nasty like epilepsy. I kept going back as it was getting more and more disruptive. I was even told to carry on learning to drive because, as I knew when they were going to happen I could pull over.

It was only when I moved house and GPs that I was referred (instantly) to a neurologist and given an MRI and EEG. I was diagnosed with epilepsy. The shock of finding that out (particularly in light of the 'no it's not epilepsy; we did a blood test' diagnosis) hit me hard, but I couldn't deny that at the same time as I found out, I was also seeing an utterly fantastic GP at a surgery which provided speedy appointments and was open Saturday mornings as well. Until I moved I held the entire NHS with a deep mistrust (I'd had several previous bad experiences) but I can't deny that the care I've had subsequently has been to a far higher standard. I changed GPs again a couple of years ago after moving, and this surgery has been just as good.

I'm now firmly of the opinion that if your GP genuinely is that awful, change sugeries. Vote with your feet. I suppose I could have reported that GP for misconduct (misdiagnosing epilepsy as anxiety attacks on the basis of a blood test with no other tests carried out does seem a little ridiculous to me) but then, my mum had the same GP for years and thought he was lovely. (And incidentally, it was actually him that made the comment about the blood test.)

It's never as black and white as generalisations or blanket statements make out, but it is important to remember that some people are complaining because they have legitimately had bad experiences, and not just because they read the tabloids.

sapphire87 · 17/03/2010 15:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OnTheStreetsWithBibby · 17/03/2010 16:00

We have a brilliant GP practice; all GPs and locums v nice, good system where there are some on the day appts, and some book ahead. They always find time for small children on the day, and both GPs and receptionists are v kind. Took dd there once when she was being sick - thought she'd stopped vomiting, but when we got there she needed the loo - as soon as we got in the toilet door she threw up all over the floor.

GP walked past, said "Oh, is this ?", then went away, got a mop and bucket and cleaned the sick up herself. DD still remembers!

renaldo · 17/03/2010 17:32

Why would you go a GP with chicken pox? To get Piriton which you can buy over the counter? No wonder its hard to get a GP appt if thats what people are seeing them for

mrsbean78 · 17/03/2010 17:47

I worked with a young man who got encephalitis from sinusitus and was left permanently physically and neurologically damaged.

I abhorr the attitude that people should not get 'minor' symptoms checked out. Yes, for GPs, nurses and other professionals, it can be irritating but it is not the job of Joe Bloggs to know whether their symptoms are minor or not.

I read an article about out of hours care by a mum who spotted a bruise on her young son and had it checked out. It turned out to be septicaemia.

I work in the NHS and the whole system is under pressure. This is because it is free at the point of service, expensive to run and the population of those requiring healthcare has expanded.

However, these issues do not qualify Joe Bloggs to know whether his lingering painful head cold or the bruise on his child's tummy is just that, or if it is something which might develop into something more serious.

So no, YANBU. No matter how fantastic some GP's may be.

KatieScarlett2833 · 17/03/2010 17:55

I have the best GP, he is the kindest most patient lovely man. The reception staff are helpful and kind and the nurses ditto. I wish there was an award I could nominate the practice for for outstanding customer service.

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 17/03/2010 18:12

Our GP surgery - the actual GPs are good. Yes, I never get to see my named GP but as long as I see someone comptent I don't care.

We do have a stupid rule regarding appt booking, you can only book for that day. So very busy on the phones at 8:00am, I've sat there till 8:30 with my finger on redial before now and when finally got through all appts gone and try again the next day.

There will always be stories of a GP who has missed something. This has happened to teh sister of a friend of mine, going back and forth to GP and after weeks of being fobbed off she went to a&e. Died of cancer 3 weeks later. Young as well.

On the other hand my dad#s GP saved his life, didn't know what was wrong with him but realised he was seriously ill and called an ambulance.

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 17/03/2010 18:14

Agree with Mrs Bean about sometimes you need to get "minor" things checked out. When my dad nearly died I'd seen him the day before, we thought he had flu and some vomiting. He was hours away from dying when he went to GP next day. If it had been me I probably wouldn't have gone and would have died as I do tend not to want to "bother" the GP.

jybay · 17/03/2010 21:46

Maybe if you think all GPs are crap you should look elsewhere for the common denominator in your dealings with them.

Well put!

I'm a GP. I started work at 0745 this morning and I finished at 2030. During that time, I saw 38 patients, spoke to 7 or 8 others and did home visits plus a mountain of paperwork. This is a normal day for me. As usual, I had no break during this time - I eat my lunch while I go through prescriptions.

No GP can get it right all the time and - like any other profession - there are some underperformers. Anyone who thinks it's an easy job, though, can kiss my...stethoscope.

ClaireDeLoon · 17/03/2010 21:52

I have a lovely GP - he's great, he explains things, he listens, he acts. He never ever makes you feel like you're wasting his time.

I've been there and he's given me 20 mins of his time in a 10 min slot because that is how long it took. I can get to see him normally on the day I want.

No complaints at all from me.

HarderToKidnap · 17/03/2010 22:13

My SIL once went to the doctors because her earlobes felt hot. And they didn't laugh her out of the surgery.

YANBU. GPs are saints.

jybay · 17/03/2010 22:43

Love the hot earlobes! That would make my day.

McDreamy · 17/03/2010 22:51

After being married to a GP for the past 8 years I do think you are being unreasonable. I would not want to be a GP EVER! I Yes their are shoddy GPs out there but for every shoddy GP there are alot more shoddy patients.

MamaGoblin · 17/03/2010 23:21

I don't really have any very bad experiences with our local GPs - some are far better than others and we now know which ones to request for DS - but twice recently, I've been asked by a GP 'So what do you want out of this consulation?' after having explained the problem with DS. It does make me see red a bit - I'm not the expert - they are!

Um, I'd like you to a) tell me what's wrong with him, b) if possible, make it better. Why else do you think I'm in here?!

greatfiresoflondon · 17/03/2010 23:32

As a (lurking) GP its quite refreshing to see the odd positive comment on here!

I work bloody hard and do my best by my patients, with every single second of my day accounted for - and most of my evenings, since I take my paperwork home to do when my 3 yr old and 1 yr old are in bed. I can't remember the last time I had my lunch anywhere except in the car between home vistis (and trust me, some of what I see between bites of my sarnie totally puts me off my lunch!) I don't mind the hard work, because I actually love my job, just find it totally demoralising when we are constantly bashed by shitty newspapers!

There aren't enough appointments, and sadly some people with real needs have to wait too long to be seen because of it, but thats because at least half of what I see daily could be dealt with by some self-care, or seeing a pharmacist, or just using a bit of common sense. Yet when we try to sort some of the crap out i.e over the phone, to free up appointments, you end up with people like the OP who think we are work-shy shirkers... can't win!

greatfiresoflondon · 17/03/2010 23:34

mamagoblin - those GP's were probably trying to be "patient-centred". Buzzword at the mo. Trying to make sure they deal with your agenda.. See what I mean about how we can't in?! I was taught this phrase when I did my royal college exams, they make you video lots of consultations and chek you for user-friendliness!!

greatfiresoflondon · 17/03/2010 23:36

Sorry, win and check. Its dark and I can't see my keyboard!

hairyclaireyfairy · 18/03/2010 00:49

yabu
Our gp's are fantastic, never a problem.
The reception staff will always find an appt for my severely autistic ds, he can't talk and 9 times out of ten when we see the gp he has an infection.
The same gp's have offered to do home visits because they know just how difficult it can be for me to actually get him to the surgery.
I would never take them up on this, their time is precious and limited.

Nymphadora · 18/03/2010 05:53

My previous gp was a huge surgery and I rarely saw the same gp, there was only one I didn't like so this was ok just made it difficult when I had an ongoing problem .

Current gp is a small surgery but in a building with other surgeries which share facilities so actually has a better range of services. I have now seen all the gps but I can always get a same day appt with whoever I choose.I had a home visit at Xmas which my previous surgery always refused. My usual gp spends ages talking to me & checking things. He was v supportive over us ttc & would see give dh tests at my appt & vice versa (we didn't ask).