Just a tiny sample of the anguished emails our readers have been sending
FORCED TO PAY FOR A PRIVATE CONSULTANT
MY HUSBAND, who is 73, had a mini-stroke the day before lockdown began last year. I rang the surgery constantly because he had become very ill, losing 3st and with terrible muscle pains, but they would do only telephone calls.
Two weeks ago, he said he had ‘massive heart flutters’ and felt queasy, so I rang the surgery and was called back by a pharmacist. If you complain, they threaten to remove you from the patient list.
Eventually I paid for a private consultant, who was appalled.
Barbara Rivers, Callington, Cornwall
LEFT IN TEARS BY MY ANGRY, UNHELPFUL GP
I AM in my 80s, and over 18 months ago I should have had a review for diabetes, chronic kidney disease and hypertension. I was told by my GP these reviews are unlikely to happen before the end of this year.
In desperation, I posted a letter to the surgery early in December asking for help.
I was given a telephone appointment in February!
The GP was cross and unhelpful and I put the phone down in tears.
Name withheld
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE – AND AN UNCARING CALL
I WAS always telling people how we had the best surgery in Kent. Since Covid hit ,everything we once had is gone.
My blood pressure was so high it was at danger level. My GP rang to say that if my home blood pressure machine was showing high then don’t take my own blood pressure. If this is going on all over the country then there are going to be far more deaths caused by not being able to see a GP than there has been from coronavirus.
Please put this on a front page. GP surgeries need to know what is going on.
A very distraught patient, Kent
‘BONE IDLE’ GP IS NOT TAKING JOB SERIOUSLY
I’M 74 and have blood pressure problems, and have spoken to FOUR different doctors over the past four months who have all changed my medication.
Consequently I suffered a collapse. These doctors really are BONE IDLE and are not taking their profession seriously.
Geoffrey Palmer, Sheffield
NHS IS NOW A NATIONAL HEALTH SCANDAL
EVEN if you can eventually get through to my surgery on the phone, the receptionists, who are not medically trained, do their level best to be obstructive and fob you off.
Last week my partner waited over seven minutes on hold and gave up – that still cost us £1.60.
Not so much National Health Service as National Health Scandal.
Phil, West Sussex
LEFT FEELING SAD BY THE LACK OF CARE
I’M a transplant patient, after having a kidney replaced in 2004, and have been suffering terribly with other issues.
I do find it very hard to speak to my GP on the phone, as I feel I’m taking up their time and can’t express what I really feel.
I’m feeling very sad and not wanted any more. I’d rather not bother anyone.
Gunilla Ward, Wimbledon
STILL WAITING DESPITE PHARMACIST WARNINGS
I STILL haven’t got an appointment with my GP, even though I showed a lesion on my neck to two pharmacists and both told me to see a doctor ASAP. Please do not use my name – they are making my life difficult at the moment.
Name withheld, Suffolk
NO LUCK AT MY SURGERY EVEN IN AN EMERGENCY
MY MOTHER and husband have diabetes and have had no checkups since 2019. My husband also has asthma and has had no checkup for that since 2019 either.
When my 89-year-old mum fell ill a couple of weeks ago it was impossible to reach the surgery by phone, so we rang 111. The doctor there tried to ring the practice on a dedicated line which was not answered. Eventually I drove to the surgery but the receptionist told me they were very busy. Half an hour later my mother was in an ambulance on her way to hospital – she had a gallstone blocking her bile tube.
Susan Hemmings
MY SUSPICIOUS RASH IS GIVEN SCANT ATTENTION
THREE weeks ago I developed an itchy rash under my right breast. I called my GP and the receptionist suggested an e-consultation and asked if could I take a photo?
I explained that I couldn’t hold up my breast and take a photo, and wouldn’t know how to send it anyway. She then said she would get my GP to phone me at 9.30.
At 9.30 he texted to say it was a very common problem and – with just the scant information I gave him – issued a prescription.
I still have the rash.