GP mistake

[yeezus.]

Hello,

I have a bit of a problem I could do with some advice on. It's no secret that my GP and I haven't got on too well over the past year but last night I had a really bad stomach and rash on my face so I called NHS 24.

While on the phone, the nurse ran through the medication that I'm prescribed and then said : "Are you on anything else". I told her no, then she said "Why are you lying"? We got into a bit of an argument and it turns out that my Doctor has written on my records that I have been taking Lithium.

Obviously this isn't true, but the treatment I got in Stranraer hospital last night was nothing short of disgraceful. I'm embarrassed and gutted about the way I was spoken to. Being called a liar is never nice, let alone by health professionals.

What should I do folks?

Andy

[Danderhall Hibs]

Not sure but I would've said why are you asking if you already know!

[--------]

Hello,

I have a bit of a problem I could do with some advice on. It's no secret that my GP and I haven't got on too well over the past year but last night I had a really bad stomach and rash on my face so I called NHS 24.

While on the phone, the nurse ran through the medication that I'm prescribed and then said : "Are you on anything else". I told her no, then she said "Why are you lying"? We got into a bit of an argument and it turns out that my Doctor has written on my records that I have been taking Lithium.

Obviously this isn't true, but the treatment I got in Stranraer hospital last night was nothing short of disgraceful. I'm embarrassed and gutted about the way I was spoken to. Being called a liar is never nice, let alone by health professionals.

What should I do folks?

Andy

I would get in touch with the practice manager at the medical centre you attend and tell him/her what happened. It may have been nothing more than a simple mistake - a tired doctor or medical secretary ticking the wrong box on a standard computer file list. I wouldn't think there was any malice on their part. Ask for your records to be checked - you don't want this to happen again - and tell them what went on over the telephone and at the hospital. You should get an apology from them without your GP feeling you're going after him/her.

Ask them to get in touch with the hospital and NHS24 to explain what happened and how you feel, or write to the hospital administration yourself telling them calmly and politely how upset and angry you are about the matter. there should be some way for you to contact NHS24 to tell them too.

IIRC lithium's used to treat bipolar disorder and severe depression and some patients do stop taking it without telling their doctors, with serious consequences sometimes. That would be why the nurse on the phone challenged you, but there's no way she should have accused you of lying. That sort of confrontational language is totally counter-productive, quite apart from being extremely offensive. She should have asked you if you were sure that you weren't taking anything else, then when you said you were, told you that lithium was listed in your file. When you told her that that was a mistake, I would have accepted your word for it and told you to come in to the hospital. That way the hospital staff would have been able to make their own assessment of the situation. Nor should they assume that you're not telling the truth - mistakes happen and they should be aware of that.

I have to say that none of the practice nurses attached to the clinic I attend would accuse a patient she'd never met of telling lies.

Supposing you HAD been suffering from bi-polar disorder and HAD stopped taking your lithium, confrontation like you seem to have experienced would be the very worst thing to enter into - that's just basic commonsense.

[HibbyDave]

you have a right to see your medical records. Access to medical records is now a legal right. You may want to contact your GP and request a copy of your entire file. then decide how best to tackle the problem of misinformation/errors etc

Good luck

[Jay]

Have you ever been on lithium? Maybe she read it wrong and thought you were still on it or maybe the GP has just forgotten to remove it? You got it sorted in the end. Somebody saying why are you lying isn't worth getting wound up about or making a complaint about IMO. I would just make sure your current drugs are up to date and leave it at that.

[yeezus.]

Alright folks I managed to get a hold of the practice manager and apparently the nurse made a mistake. Going to request to view my medical records anyway.

Mrs. S, I have been on Lithium but I wasn't given it by a doctor.

[heretoday]

If anyone asked me who my GP is I would not be able to say. I see a different one each time I go, which is as seldom as possible. When I were't nipper the doc was a familiar figure.

But as I get older it would be nice to think there was a doctor who really cared. I don't suppose that's realistic these days.

[yeezus.]

If anyone asked me who my GP is I would not be able to say. I see a different one each time I go, which is as seldom as possible. When I were't nipper the doc was a familiar figure.

But as I get older it would be nice to think there was a doctor who really cared. I don't suppose that's realistic these days.

I don't think they exist mate. The doctors in my area are a waste of space - they spend too much time adding patients on social media.

[blackpoolhibs]

Send the dogs in to savage the doctor.

[yeezus.]

Send the dogs in to savage the doctor.

:aok: cheers but they have a bad enough name here!

[blackpoolhibs]

:aok: cheers but they have a bad enough name here!



:greengrin