‘Infection lasted months because GP ignored me’
A dad was left battling a urine infection for two months after failing to get through to his GP. Duarte Sousa heard nothing from The College Practice in Maidstone for eight weeks despite numerous calls, emails and consultation forms sent to his doctor.
The 44-year-old from Grecian Street began noticing symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) at the beginning of December but couldn’t get the antibiotics to treat it without a prescription. He said: “At first I tried to book an appointment on the practice’s online eConsult forms but I just never heard back from them, so then I started trying to call them but I could never get through to a person.
“My wife went to the GP and tried to book me an appointment in person but they told her that they couldn’t book it because it wasn’t urgent.”
Duarte called 111 as a last resort but was referred him back to his GP.
The construction worker added: “I was just going round in circles. Again and again I tried to get through but got no answer.”
Duarte, who’s been with The College Practice for the last 15 years, said he filled in an online form, which says a GP will call you within 48 hours, countless times.
But he only heard from his doctor the morning after the Messenger contacted the Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group about the case.
UTIs cause pain or a burning sensation when weeing. Left untreated they can lead to complications, such as life-threatening kidney infections.
Duarte has since been called by his GP, given antibiotics and asked to give a urine sample. A spokesman for The College Practice said: “We are sorry to hear about this patient’s recent experience. Our practice, like many across the country, is facing high demand on our services and we are working hard to provide the best possible care to all our patients.”