I received a letter from my GP this morning, informing me that the Primary Care Trust have asked my GP surgery to take over the monitoring of my medication from the hospital. I have inflammatory arthritis and on long term medication (DMARDS) to combat the illness. There can be side effects to this medication and I need 3 monthly monitoring blood tests. Currently, my hospital consultant monitors the results.
However, with the letter the GP sent a blood form and results card with a list of two blood tests ( FBC and LFT). The hospital test me for FBC, ESR, ALT and another test, all different from what the GP requires. When I phoned the GPs, the receptionist informed me that the practice nurse sorted out what blood tests were needed. After phoning the rheumatology helpline, I found out the GP had the wrong tests. It's a bit of a worry if the GPs cannot even get the blood tests right! If I wasn't so clued up about my condition I might be tested for the wrong thing and a problem not picked up. I go to see a consultant because he is a specialist and knows more about the illness than the GP. I can see some serious faults with this as people with long term conditions could suffer without the specialist care they need. People with long term conditions be aware!