GP Complaint

[Itsarecipefordisaster]

I had an awful consultation with an advanced nurse practitioner. It was a HRT review. She said 3 pumps of oestrogel is the maximum dose (it isn’t), HRT is only for hot flushes (it isn’t), provided next to no clinical information on the mirena coil, disregarded my concerns about side effects then demanded I didn’t research on the internet. She was awful, and I left in tears.
I raised a complaint to the surgery, who just got the awful woman to write me a letter. She waffles around all my points but addresses none of them directly. For example I say she’s wrong when she says 3 pumps is the maximum oestrogel dose. Her response is she’s not allowed to prescribe the maximum dose, I’d need to see a GP.
The surgery has indicated they have no more to say on the matter.
Does anyone have any advice on how I can get them to take it seriously? It’s not my first complaint and this woman is truly awful. Or do I just need to find another GP?
Any advice from anyone in the NHS or who has been in a similar situation very welcome. Thank you 🙏

Change drs surgery’s. The one previously I used, it was like there was no actual drs only the nurses and I have no idea what the buzz words were to see a dr because I never did. I’ve changed now and seen or spoken to a dr every time.

Go to PALS for more information and advice. I’d consider switching GP if there’s another surgery nearby.

Who did you complaint to? I once had a bad experience with a GP. I emailed the practice manager. I received a lovely reply apologising profusely. They put a note of ny file to not see that doctor again as they arranged for another doctor to call me that day to see if they could help.

If you only complained to reception maybe try emailing.

You should complain again, and some people write to their MP. No experience of that, but it's really dangerous if she's giving incorrect info. Have to admit this really upsets me due to what happened with a local woman who was having menopause problems, so I worry about the consequences of women not getting decent healthcare.

I complained to the practice manager. She’s clearly not interested in resolving this. Thanks for the suggestion though.

@Itsarecipefordisaster why don't you just make an appointment with one of the GPs? I'm surprised she wrote a letter at all.

They’ve prescribed me a male dose of testosterone in the past then denied it. Their menopause ‘service’ is appalling. I’m going to change surgery, I just want them to stop doing this. And I think it’s the same nurse that has been giving out clinically incorrect advice for 5 years that I know about. She’s awful and the surgery has done nothing. The problem is, it’s my word against hers.
I’m seriously considering going to my MP.
I'm changing surgery anyway. I just think women deserve better than this.

Thank you for this 👍 I’ve found their contact details. Let’s see how we go.

She’s giving out incorrect clinical advice. The surgery aren’t taking it seriously. I’m tempted to get an appointment with a GP there who knows the situation with this awful woman. I’m changing surgery but this GP needs to know something needs to be done about this.

Nurse practitioners vary enormously. I have known some (heck, I’ve helped train some) who are absolutely superb. I have known others who were clearly in a position of working (or, indeed, being expected to work) way past their training and competence. The good ones tend to share the characteristics of being totally clear to patients that they are not doctors, and open to their own limitations, knowing when to ask the GP/consultant etc. the bad ones tend to have a confidence level that exceeds their competence. I fear it sounds like this NP is in the second group. If the response to the complaint is not satisfactory, then changing practice is probably the safest bet. (And yes, there are also doctors who have a confidence/competence mismatch, but usually not as high a proportion because they have so much more training)

i have no experience at complaining but I have had a hormone induced meltdown today.
long story short was taken off mini pill as too old in February (54). Periods restarted then in July had almighty floods. Had excellent cancer checks but nobody could decide if I have gone through menopause or not. Been bleeding heavily since. blood tests booked earliest next week from September to see where I am on menopause.
3 weeks ago GP.put me on progesterone 3 times a day to stop bleeding contact in 3 weeks contact this Dr specifically I was told by her. did the online request today. said still bleeding and I can't take these tablets as they are giving me a rage that I can't live with I really need help with the low mood and rage. said I needed help today At lunch time the surgery rang said I couldn't see specific GP but if I could see any GP including if I didn't mind a male one I could have an appointment on 22nd November.
I lost the plot said it doesn't matter binned the progesterone and asked DD to order me the pill online.
i felt so ill had a total panic attack.
DD has been up and sorted it for me but I was so upset at the lack of help. Back on pill officially as this GP said I can take it till 56 - 14 months then what.They just don't know how it makes you feel.

if I was you I would change surgeries to somewhere that is more supportive of menopause if you can. The constant battle to access support is so draining so solidarity to you. I hope you get some help. and get listened to.💐

Can you complain to her registering board if you think she is giving out clinically incorrect advice?

I’ve had to say to an ANP, when they were advising me a course of action for a condition, “that’s not what it says in needs to happen in the Nice Guidelines, though, is it?”.