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Mental health

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Original poster

To expect an apology from the GP?

49 replies

Flude · 22/08/2019 19:47

I’m unsure if I’m being entitled or if this is a reasonable expectation.

Last year I registered at a new GP surgery whilst I was going through a rough time with my mental health. I was pretty much immediately referred to the crisis team and it was evident to everyone that I was very unwell.

One of the receptionists took my phone number from my notes and started to contact me, told me I was paranoid when I said I thought it was a bad idea and began pressurising me for money. I lent her some money and didn’t get it all back. I told the GP in January although didn’t name the person.

The GP agreed that she would remind all staff that they couldn’t be asking patients for money.

A few weeks later I had a phone call asking for a thousand pounds for a family emergency. I went back to the GP and said it had happened again and it didn’t appear that anything happened.

I told the mental health team who decided to do a safeguarding referral and the GP immediately suspended the member of staff. She has since lost her job.

Social services are the ones who updated me to say she’s lost her job.

Do you think the GP should offer an apology to me for the way they’ve handled things, for not acting on it quicker and for the breech in my personal data? They have told me it’s been very stressful for them but it’s been far worse for me being the subject of two safeguarding referrals?

OP posts:

FloofenHoofen · 22/08/2019 19:51

Why did you lend her the money in the first place? I know you were unwell, but surely you knew that what she had done was wrong by taking your number and contacting you like that? The whole thing seems extremely strange.

TheYeaSayer · 22/08/2019 19:54

Surely you mean your practice manager rather than your GP, though?

Yes, they should have ensured it never happened again, and taken disciplinary action the first time it did happen.
I do think they owe you an apology, actually, yes, but not sure I’d pursue it.

Witchinaditch · 22/08/2019 19:59

That is totally shocking! Why did you give her money? You could have blocked her number, I know you were ill but that is totally unacceptable for her to contact you and ask for money. Did you not think it was strange?

Original poster

Flude · 22/08/2019 20:11

I meant GP as in the surgery. Not specifically the GP.

Hindsight is wonderful

OP posts:

Owlsintowels · 22/08/2019 20:12

FFS @FloofenHoofen and @Witchinaditch why do you think an appropriate first reaction is victim blaming? OP was clearly in a very bad place, the receptionist knew this, and targeted a vulnerable person to take advantage of them

Maybe if you've got nothing useful or supportive to say don't post eh?

Vibiano · 22/08/2019 20:16

Holy shit OP, that's awful. What a scumbag she is.
Hope you are ok. Yes an apology.
Was it reported to the police?

Original poster

Flude · 22/08/2019 20:20

Yes it was reported to the police (against my wishes).

OP posts:

FloofenHoofen · 22/08/2019 20:21

I'm not victim blaming I'm asking a genuine question. Why would you give money to some total stranger?

MNHQ

RivkaMumsnet · 22/08/2019 20:24

Hi OP,

We've had a few reports from posters who are concerned about you, and we do agree that AIBU might not be the best place for this thread.

We'll move it to the Mental Health topic shortly.

We're sorry to hear about what's happened to you - it sounds really difficult indeed.

GruciusMalfoy · 22/08/2019 20:25

That's disgraceful OP. Yes, I think you're entitled to an apology, this wasn't dealt with quickly enough.

FloofenHoofen, are you asking why someone with a severe mental issue wasn't able to say no to being pressured for money? It doesn't take much to imagine how this can happen.

ThinkGlow · 22/08/2019 20:25

@FloofenHoofen

This was NOT the OP's fault. She was targeted.

OP I'm sorry that happened to you and you aren't the first and certainly won't be the last to be a victim like this.

Yes I think the GP should apologise, that would be the right thing to do. Perhaps they are worried about repercussions and culpability so that's why they haven't?

SallyLovesCheese · 22/08/2019 20:26

Because when your MH is suffering you often do what's easy. I can well imagine when I was mentally unwell just wanting someone to stop ringing so giving them the money.

I'm not sure you will get an apology, OP, but I'm glad you're out of that situation now.

NorthEndGal · 22/08/2019 20:26

That is such a bizarre thing to have happen

Original poster

Flude · 22/08/2019 20:27

Please don’t move my thread, I am in a good place :-)

OP posts:

Soubriquet · 22/08/2019 20:27

I understand why you gave her money

Anyone who has ever been referred to the crisis team is extremely vulnerable and it was obvious this receptionist took advantage of that!

I would be wanting an apology too.

FloofenHoofen · 22/08/2019 20:27

I didn't say it was ThinkGlow

Original poster

Flude · 22/08/2019 20:28

I did block her phone numbers, she stated calling from the surgery phones.

OP posts:

allymcn · 22/08/2019 20:29

Eh? Just... eh?

lljkk · 22/08/2019 20:32

What OP is describing is a dismissable offense for the receptionist. The GP could be disciplined for many things. Something doesn't make sense.

ISmellBabies · 22/08/2019 20:33

If you didn't name the person then what on earth do you think they could have done about it? They did what tgey could with the information you gave them.

Funghi · 22/08/2019 20:33

Did you know the receptionist?

Yes of course the practice should write to you. An apology is the least you deserve.

NerrSnerr · 22/08/2019 20:33

*I told the GP in January although didn’t name the person.

The GP agreed that she would remind all staff that they couldn’t be asking patients for money.*

I would definitely complain. You are in no way to blame for this. When you told them they should have done an investigation. They'll be able to look on the system and see exactly who has accessed your records on what days/ times.

The GO surgery should not have ignored this. I'd also ask to see your medical records, I'm wondering if initially they just thought it was part of your poor mental health and didn't believe you? (Which of course is wrong)

NerrSnerr · 22/08/2019 20:36

If you didn't name the person then what on earth do you think they could have done about it? They did what tgey could with the information you gave them.

Of course you can investigate. You can see who has accessed the record and see if anyone has accessed without any clinical/ administrative need. I work in an NHS dept and if someone told us they'd had a phone call from an unnamed receptionist asking for money it would be investigated.

Original poster

Flude · 22/08/2019 20:36

NerrSnerr yes the mental health team think it’s because of the state of my mental health.

I am going to a safeguarding meeting and I just wanted to know if I was expecting too much or it’s appropriate to ask for an apology.

OP posts:

iklboo · 22/08/2019 20:38

You should definitely have an apology and if they try to fob you off contact the Clinical Concerns Group (CCG) or Health Board for your area if you're not in England. In fact, I'd probably do that anyway. Something seriously lacking at the surgery.

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