has anyone ever complained about their GP?

[kissmummy]

and if so what happened? was there any point?
I am very upset by an appointment i had with a GP at our surgery last week. (you never really get to see the same GP twice running at our surgery so she is not 'my' gp in any sense - i can see someone else next time). i was there to report my fourth consecutive miscarriage. she was very insensitive, negative and patronising. at first i wondered whether i was just looking for someone to lash out at because i'm feeling miserable but i've had a lot of time for reflection and still feel her attitude was unacceptable. is there any point writing a letter of complaint?

Very sorry to hear the reason why you had to visit you GP.

Your local surgery should have a complaints procedure that you can ask for a copy of. Making complaints is worthwhile as it may save another lady in your situation being treated so insensitively and with such a complete lack of empathy. Sometimes complaints are the only way a doctor learns to improve.

Also, remember you can change doctors surgeries just as easily as you change supermarkets.

My DH spoke to the practice manager to complain about our GP but was completely fobbed off. It was to complain about our GPs attitude to my miscarriage and how "A miscarriage is natures way to stop you having a monster," was not a constructive thing to say to someone losing a baby at 14 weeks. It made my DH feel better for doing something even though the complaint got nowhere.

Good luck with your complaint and sorry for your loss. xx

Gp sounds awful. What a dreadful thing to have said to you.
I would ring the practise manager again and ask for a copy of the complaints procedure, if it's not forthcoming. Put it all in writing to your local PCT.
I have previously made a complaint about a GP a few years ago and wondered at the time if I should just forget about it, but I'm pleased I did it.
I too am sorry about the reason for your gp appointment.

thanks all, that's why i want to raise these issues. i don't want this GP to speak like that to another miscarriage patient. butterball and at that comment by that doctor! very glad your DH did complain - it was a totally inappropriate thing to say.

I did - after being fobbed off for nearly a year (despite repeated discussions and requests for a referral) and then when I (privately) saw a specialist was diagnosed with a condition which (had I been seen earlier) would have left me in less pain, requiring less lifelong management. I had (obviously) completely lost faith in her. I didn't 'complain' per se - I was a tad preoccupied being suddenly diagnosed and all that came with that - but I wrote to the practice manager, explained that I wanted to change GP for myself, my husband and son and my reasons why. I didn't have any written acknowledgement but I was sent a new NHS card with a new GP, one of the partners. On my first appointment seeing him post transferring, he was extremely pleasant and talked through what had happened and verbally acknowledged that he completely understood why I had lost faith in the other doctor and that the case had been discussed amongst the partners and been brought up with that doctor. I have since seen my old GP (emergency appt for DS) and she was nothing but polite and professional, so I feel I handled it ok for staying with that practice. But I felt incredibly awkward at the time, when really I was completely within right to want to change. I couldn't be happier with my current GP - he's been simply fab so it's worth getting these things right.

Oh yes - I have complained about 2 different GPs (at different surguries) because of the way they treated / spoke to me.

The first one, I wrote a letter addressed to the Practice Manager, and the GP sent me a letter of apology

The second time I just spoke to the Practice Manager on the phone and she told me she would speak to the GP about my complaint.

Definitely do it - it's important GPs are told if their behaviour, manner or what they have said has upset you. They will hopefully learn from it and not do the same thing to another poor patient.

Sorry about your loss, and I hope you feel better soon

I have also complained about 2 GP's. They were at the same surgery but different practices.

Where I am you cannot change your GP as you have to go with whichever GP covers your postcode catchment area.

The first GP made his anti-termination feelings clear and made me think that I would not get what I needed at the time leaving me in tears (I was 18 and it was failed contraception with long term bf, I was no where near ready) and the second time (earlier this year) the GP fobbed off DS's illness that ended up with DS on antibiotics for chest infection.

Both times I wrote a letter of complaint to the Practice Manager and both times I got a written letter of apology from the GP and an assurance that I would not have to see that GP again.

It is worth it, to get the apology if nothing else.

Sorry to hear about your miscarriages and wish you luck for the future.