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Original poster

Am i within my rights to complain??

38 replies

WhereDoIGo · 01/08/2007 10:21

Cut a long story short. Me and DH ttc for 2 years apart from a chemical almost two years ago nothing . Now I have 2ds's aged 3 and 4 so always assumed there would not have been a problem until now.....
Went to my GP who was brilliant said he would like to test my progesterone levels to see how well i ovulate if at all. First bloods came back with a level of 28 (they prefer over 30 to safely say you ovualted) he was happy with this result as it shows that here lies the problem and was ready to refer me to gynae. In between this i went to see another doctor for a completley unrelated matter. I then received a letter from this doctor 'outlining a plan' wtf?? He wants me to have bloods done for 5 months to investigate the cause (uh haven't we already figured that out?) so i begrudgingly went back and had my results this morning and they were 21.5 He is still insisting that i have threee more monthly tests before anything else is done. In my area to see the gynae from the minute your put on the list its about a six mointh wait. Basically he is saying that i potentially am going to have to wait because he has 'removed' me from the list i was put on by MY gp. So i need to know if i am within my rights to complain or whether i'm being stupid and as he is a doctor i should listen to him as he knows best? Any advice would be great as i'm tearing my hair out

OP posts:
NotADragonOfSoup · 01/08/2007 10:23

Make an appointment to see your GP and ask him about it and tell him your concerns re the time scale.

Original poster
WhereDoIGo · 01/08/2007 10:28

i have to speak to them in the morning as they cant give appointments more than 24 hours in advance stupid place!

OP posts:
chel86 · 01/08/2007 13:55

I would complain. Speak to your GP and tell him and if you feel like you need to make an official complaint, then do so. But I would speak to your GP before because there might be a reasonable explanation as to why it's been done.

NAB3 · 01/08/2007 14:07

I would find out why this other GP has removed you from the list. It is clear your levels are dropping and 6 months is a long time when trying to conceive, depending on your age of course.

Original poster
WhereDoIGo · 02/08/2007 09:25

Well i called the surgery today and they are flooded i really want to go down there and give them a piece of my mind but i know that when i get there i will bottle it and not really get my point across... so do i pen it or is that going a bit too far?

OP posts:
Rach35 · 02/08/2007 09:30

The most important thing to remember is that they are GENERAL practitioners and NOT SPECIALISTS. You are perfectly within in your rights to enquire and get put back on the list. You sound like you have a good relationship with your own GP - see him/her and get them to help quickly (I find the emotional blackmail of crying can work!)

Leati · 02/08/2007 09:45

This must be the down side of free health care! My insurance allows me to make and appointment directly with the ob/gyn. I don't have get a referral.

Slubberdegullion · 02/08/2007 09:49

Oh God don't cry. That won't help at all.

When your'e surgery is open again do exactly what Dragon soup said

Make an appointment to see your GP and ask him about it and tell him your concerns re the time scale.

Don't get arsey, it really won't help. Be firm (write down the points you want to make if you're likely to get flustered...I'm prone to being flustered btw and a sensible list helps).

Gp's are just people, they like to be spoken to politely....you are much more likely to get a positive helpful response if you are firm and polite.

Original poster
WhereDoIGo · 02/08/2007 09:49

Its got to the point where i am seriously considering going private. And unfortunatley i am one of those people who get sooo worked up that i cry anyway so i'm worried about goind down there in a stupid way iykwim

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 02/08/2007 09:51

sorry the moderate pedant in me has just spotted a you're rather than a your in my last post. Hideous.

Original poster
WhereDoIGo · 02/08/2007 09:52

I am finding it extremley difficult at the moment to talk sensibly and calmly to someone who has just taken my life into his hands (i know that sounds a bit ott) and 'decided' what should happen to me. Its not like i have been ttc for two months and have gone demanding everything under the sun, this is something that has been happening to me for 2 years. And as my GP said, women don't just stop ovulating so it needs investigating.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhereDoIGo · 02/08/2007 09:53

Sorry did my starting the sentence with 'And' do it too......

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 02/08/2007 09:54

Take a list, I really would. In similar situations when I'm felling really worked up about something then focusing on a piece of paper and some bullet points has an amazing calming affect.

Do speak to your GP first before you go private...a simple conversation may well set things back on track and you will be able to establish an estimated waiting list time.

Slubberdegullion · 02/08/2007 09:55

Oh I don't pedant other people, just myself

Original poster
WhereDoIGo · 02/08/2007 09:59

Thank you so much The list does sound like a good idea, as i said in previous posts i am one of those people who cry when they are angry - although do not let on to my employees they think i'm a witch!
Tbh i don't know whether i am better off by seeing my GP or the Doctor who has taken me off the gynae waiting list.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/08/2007 10:01

How old are you? Maybe if you're over 35 it can help strengthen your case?

Original poster
WhereDoIGo · 02/08/2007 10:03

This is the worst part i am 'only' 25

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 02/08/2007 10:05

Probably best, however, to give it a day or two seeing as that you're so worked up.

It's really, really counter-productive to 'complain' when you're in a very agitated state, IME.

NAB3 · 02/08/2007 10:05

Def see your GP not the one who has removed you. I woul dhave thought the fact you are still so young strengthens your case as it is more out of the ordinary.

rebelmum1 · 02/08/2007 10:09

Thoughts are with you, it's difficult to be clear and detached when its an emotional topic and you don't feel in control. Doctors are very good at making you feel that you are silly and they know best, but its quite simply not true. You have every right to see a specialist and every right to question the advice you have been given and also not to take that advice. It is a service and you are the customer, you pay tax and ni. You should go and talk to your GP chances are he'll be peed off that he has been undermined (ego, ego)and will sort things out for you so all you will have to do is explain to him what's happened. I'd write it down and be clear in your mind what you want to out accross. Don't worry about crying.

Original poster
WhereDoIGo · 02/08/2007 10:19

No my GP knows what has happened but delving further it seems the other doctor is also one of the practice managers!! I don't stand a chance do i???

OP posts:
rebelmum1 · 02/08/2007 11:43

I don't think you can be refused a referral. I'd look into it if I was you. A friend of mine had problems getting a referral and she said that she would sue the doctor personally if as a result she suffered. (she's a lawyer). She got the referral needless to say.

rebelmum1 · 02/08/2007 11:48

You could pay privately i think its 100-150 quid - i did it before and then got the consultant i paid to see to write a letter to my doctors and they had to follow it up and the letter is in my notes. If you don't want to pay and you shouldnt really have to you should go over the practice managers head and state your case in a letter. Don't go down usual complaints routes go to the person in charge if there is one.

Slubberdegullion · 02/08/2007 12:21

WheredoIgo, regarding GP being practice manager. All of the partners in your practice are co-owners of that practice (just like lawyers in a law firm). If your GP is a partner than they are on an even footing (managerially) with the GP who took you off the list. Not that this should really make any difference. Once you become a GP you are fairly autonomous in terms of treatment (and referral of your patients).

Just another thought (and I may be completely wrong) but often referral policies to Consultants in hospital are dictated by either the Acute Trust (the one that pays the consultants salary) or by the PCT (who indirectly pay the GP's salary). The GP who took you off the list may just be following a policy (that he/she has little control over). You deserve an explanation as to why you are being made to wait., but getting angry (and even threatening to sue), will only get your GP's back up big time.

IME (on both sides of the situation) is that being firm and civil and direct will always bring a more positive result than crying/anger.

rebelmum1 · 02/08/2007 14:20

You have the right to be referred for further tests. If you are older then it is more important to go sooner if you're trying to conceive as it takes time to resolve things. have a look on nhs direct website under enclopaedia, you can find out all your treatment options and the diagnosis procedure. It sounds to me like the GP is a stickler. If your P's have stopped then there is a condition that is diagnosed only if they have stopped for 6 months but if you are trying to conceive then you should arguably have an earlier app. as there could be other causes. Find out as much information as possible and then go back to your GP. Or just pay privately.