Re: complaining to practice?

[Guest guest]

just sent an email to the local PCT complaining about this practice (haven't

named them) and asking how they can help....

chris

[Guest guest]

had two replies back from the PCT today - one saying they'd start to look into

it, the second saying do i give my consent for them to proceed. I asked them

what they intend to do.

i am not sure how i feel about rocking the boat with the gp, but then i remember

someone on here saying 'not rock the boat!? i'd bloody well sink it'. they have

just labelled me as a fat mental patient i suppose. perhaps i should give them

a taste of their own medicine! i wrote the pct and told them about my sleep

apnea problems and how i was fobbed off witht hat, and had to pursue it myself

and then the mental helath nurse who assessing me for counselling said i

shouldn't bother having the sleep study because in his 20 yrs experience it was

stres. i nearly listened to him and if i had i'd be in a much worse state than

now. plus there's the whole 'normal' testosterone fiasco, it is not good enough

is it. i don't know as many people would stand for this and then dillay dally

'oh should i say anything' !

i am just wary of what might happen. i have lost all faith in my gp practice

now, i dread going now, even for minor standard things.

this is the worst gp practice i've ever been to, with the worst doctors. i was

with another surgery for 15 years since the age of 4 - 19, and they were good,

then university practice again pretty good, then a bham city centre practice

they were good too. but this lot? dreadful. i don't kow what's in my notes with

them butnever beenn on the right foot with them. and they also seem to try to

save money all the time, using their nurses when the endo last month said return

me to a dietitian, all they did was give me a sheet of things what to eat, and

if i hadn't asked for that from the gp i'd not even have got that. surely a

dietitian would have done more than that. they do the least possible and try to

keep everything in house i think so they can charge the nhs more for services

they are.

i think i need to prepare to try to sink the boat?!

chris

>

> just sent an email to the local PCT complaining about this practice (haven't

named them) and asking how they can help....

>

> chris

>

[Guest guest]

it has been suggested to me by someone i know that complaining to the pct isn't

a good idea and i should wait for a while and ask for a referral. complaining

to the pct won't be seen as a good move and will annoy the gp etc and go on my

notes.

thing is i'm very dissatisfied with the gp practice and way i've been treated

there over the last 2-3 years.

can anyone offer their opinions on this please? whether it's a good idea to

complain or not?

thanks

chris

[Guest guest]

Hi

They can't discriminate against you for complaining - you're not the one in the

wrong here! I complained about two GP's last year and just wrote to endo

complaining about her (2nd time) and I'm quite easy going....honestly lol ;-)

It's our lives they're messing about with and I want mine back...tantrum and

stamping feet there :-)

Read this...is your doctor doing his duty............

The duties of a doctor registered with the General Medical Council

Patients must be able to trust doctors with their lives and health. To justify

that trust you must show respect for human life and you must:

Make the care of your patient your first concern

Protect and promote the health of patients and the public

Provide a good standard of practice and care

Keep your professional knowledge and skills up to date

Recognise and work within the limits of your competence

Work with colleagues in the ways that best serve patients' interests

Treat patients as individuals and respect their dignity

Treat patients politely and considerately

Respect patients' right to confidentiality

Work in partnership with patients

Listen to patients and respond to their concerns and preferences

Give patients the information they want or need in a way they can understand

Respect patients' right to reach decisions with you about their treatment and

care

Support patients in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their health

Be honest and open and act with integrity

Act without delay if you have good reason to believe that you or a colleague may

be putting patients at risk

Never discriminate unfairly against patients or colleagues

Never abuse your patients' trust in you or the public's trust in the profession.

Love Tess

PS.. I want it on my notes :-)

>

> it has been suggested to me by someone i know that complaining to the pct

isn't a good idea and i should wait for a while and ask for a referral.

complaining to the pct won't be seen as a good move and will annoy the gp etc

and go on my notes.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone ,

I am a newby here , i have thyroid disorder for 20+ years , i was

having trouble with taking thyroxine and was seen by NHS (joke didnt believe i

had prob ) i seen Dr.P and was told i had converstion problem and antibodies , i

went back to GP ( 19yrs) i told him what had happened and he sruck me off his

register saying i was depressed ??? I complained all the correct channels

straight through to ombidsman , writing letters back and forth it was exausting

, guess what ? nothing was done no appollogy zero , i just had to find a GP

!!They really dont care !!

-- In thyroid treatment , " tess " <tessfleming@...> wrote:

>

> Hi

>

> They can't discriminate against you for complaining - you're not the one in

the wrong here! I complained about two GP's last year and just wrote to endo

complaining about her (2nd time) and I'm quite easy going....honestly lol ;-)

> It's our lives they're messing about with and I want mine

[Guest guest]

Hi all

thanks for the thoughts and feedback.

i need to sit down and think about this before i do anything. i am not sure

taht my problems are only T. the urologists are only interested in T - so if a

thyroid problem was revealed after taking T, which wouldn't surprise me at all,

then i'd need to see someone else about that.

so i would perhaps do better to see how i get on (i feel normal now not

depressed at all but it's a real roller coaster as the different esters of T

wear off and kick in). i can then build a caae for carrying on T, maybe drafting

in the support of the occupational therapist i see ocassionally.

i still have a referral with Dr M (endo), but it's getting an appointment

that's the hsrdest thing with him. Someone i know sees him and says he will

mention me to him. if i saw Dr m he would at least be able to keep an eye on

everything else like thyroid.

i don't see though why things have to be so difficult, but that's what happens

with these gps isn't it. they know nothing, a lot don't care. *general*

practitioner. generally pointless.

Chris

>

> Hi everyone ,

> I am a newby here , i have thyroid disorder for 20+ years , i was

having trouble with taking thyroxine and was seen by NHS (joke didnt believe i

had prob ) i seen Dr.P and was told i had converstion problem and antibodies , i

went back to GP ( 19yrs) i told him what had happened and he sruck me off his

register saying i was depressed ??? I complained all the correct channels

straight through to ombidsman , writing letters back and forth it was exausting

, guess what ? nothing was done no appollogy zero , i just had to find a GP

!!They really dont care !!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just had feedback from the PCT - they say i am within my rights to have a

referral to the NHS urologist, and that GP shoudl not strike me off for talking

to the PCT about this.

still not srue what to do just yet though

Chris

[Guest guest]

A few years back I ask for a second opinion on my kidney abnormality, and was

sent, but after this the GP struck me off, and said take your family with you.

I cannot understand it as the earlier they treat a kidney problem, the less

likely you will end up with more expensive treatment.

I also wrote to Charing Cross where original tests were done quite a few years

later, and got a sorry can't help as you have not been to see us for many years,

but what can one do if ones GP will not refer you back. Are they being stupid.

If you have any problems with your GP, you can always ask ICAS to help.

Kathleen

>

> Just had feedback from the PCT - they say i am within my rights to have a

referral to the NHS urologist, and that GP shoudl not strike me off for talking

to the PCT about this.

>

> still not srue what to do just yet though

>

> Chris

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathleen

That sounds awful, i can't believe how some of these gps behave. worrying news

that the PCTs will be eliminated and the gps will hold more funding. where will

we go to complain then?

chris

>

> A few years back I ask for a second opinion on my kidney abnormality, and was

sent, but after this the GP struck me off, and said take your family with you.

[Guest guest]

I Really do think that GPs write in secret code on medical files ,

as have soon as i have diagnoses of ME / CFS waste basket DX

I haver been met with Hostility and prejudice , i wil; never ever go near NHS

again !! Very let down

>

> A few years back I ask for a second opinion on my kidney abnormality, and was

sent, but after this the GP struck me off, and said take your family with you.

> I cannot understand it as the earlier they treat a kidney problem, the less

likely you will end up with more expensive treatment.

[Ed]

[Guest guest]

HI CHRIS

I am wondering about that too, but I went through ICAS but they appear to be

wanting to change that too.

I have just received a letter cancelling my appointment to Chelsea and

Westminster on 26th back to 9th March, yet they only rang up yesterday to

confirm that I would be going on 26th, so what are they playing about at. I will

have to ring up later to find out.

Kathleen

>

> Hi Kathleen

>

> That sounds awful, i can't believe how some of these gps behave. worrying

news that the PCTs will be eliminated and the gps will hold more funding. where

will we go to complain then?

>

> chris

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathleen (and for hijacking your thread)

What was your experience with ICAS? I am currently trying to put forth a

complaint about several GPs (but moreso my own GP of 8 years) against my medical

practice, to an ICAS Advocate... but she has no medical knowledge and does not

want any medical jargon in my draft letter of complaint for her to review. (?)

ly, the treatment I received by several GPs was a clear case of

malpractice/medical negligence and abuse. My TSH was near 8 for years and they

ignored all my hypo symptoms rendering me bedridden even though I had been

diagnosed at Guy's Hospital with Erosive Oral Lichen Planus, Fibromyalgia and

Hypothyroidism (GP ignored FMS and Hypo) as well as a rhematologist who

suggested he trial me on 25mcg levo which, when he finally did, was like a sugar

pill whilst my symptoms were getting seriously worse. He upped my dose to 50mcg

and fearing I would suffer toxicity (he still didn't believe it was a thyroid

problem because my TSH was under 10!!), he finally referred me to an Endo who

officially diagnosed me for the third time.

My medical notes prove a case of medical negligence and their constant excuses

that I was suffering a functional disorder brought on by pschiatric problems

from years of anxiety and depression!!

The practice manager has a copy of a letter to my endo complaining about his

treatment therapy citing almost 100 pages of thyroid related medical evidence

gleaned from TPA which she has put on electronic file in my medical notes, but

no formal complaint as of yet. I was told that I have a year to do this by

ICAS, so I am running out of time!!

I am now in a quandary as I want to take my GP and his colleagues to task but

don't know who to turn to. How can the government have an organisation such as

ICAS who have no medical knowledge representing patients against GPs? I have no

idea how to write a letter of complaint without referring to my hypothyroidism

in some depth. It all seems completely idiotic to me and I'm at a loss!

Thanks for reading.

Love

Jacquie

A few years back I ask for a second opinion on my kidney abnormality, and was

sent, but after this the GP struck me off, and said take your family with you.

> I cannot understand it as the earlier they treat a kidney problem, the less

likely you will end up with more expensive treatment.

> I also wrote to Charing Cross where original tests were done quite a few years

later, and got a sorry can't help as you have not been to see us for many years,

but what can one do if ones GP will not refer you back. Are they being stupid.

> If you have any problems with your GP, you can always ask ICAS to help.

> Kathleen

[Guest guest]

Hi Jacquie. I had a similar problem with a doctor at the G.P.'s practice I used

to go to. I wrote to the PCT and complained I also phoned up the General

Medical Council (they are on the net and explains there how to make a complaint

about a G.P.) I was treated very well by the person dealing with my complaint

and I'm glad I made a formal written complaint about this G.P. for not telling

me I had hypothyroidism for over a year as he failed to tell me my blood test

results and then suggested that 'had I seen a psychiatrist lately', none of his

attitude got anywhere with me, I also had my boyfriend and mother backing me up.

I eventually saw another doctor at the same practice who did treat me with

levothyroxine for hypothyroidism and then the long road to finding the only

thing that works for me is natural dessicated pigs thyroid. Also I think it is

worth scouting round for a doctor that is going to listen to you and 'be on your

wave length' as in my experience, seeing any old doctor at the surgery is a

waste of time, when you have found this one doctor you can trust make sure you

stick to him/her and never ever see anyone else. Best of luck. Ann

> The practice manager has a copy of a letter to my endo complaining about his

treatment therapy citing almost 100 pages of thyroid related medical evidence

gleaned from TPA which she has put on electronic file in my medical notes, but

no formal complaint as of yet.

[Ed]

[Guest guest]

HI JACQUIE

You appeared to have gone through similar treatments as I have. The thyroid test

was not available when I first went to Charing Cross for tests, and I have

suffered much through drugs prescribed antidepressants, depixol injections,ECT

treatment, and antisychotic drugs, and I look back at how my poor Mother was

treated, as she too had untreated thyoid problems due to surgery for TB of her

neck, which caused damage in turn led on to her having a mastoid infection that

went onto causing a slow growing brain tumour, and I do not know how she coped

with raising us, and I blame my Father on this issue as he should have known

better. She eventually had surgery on her tumour, and turned down going back in

under a psychiatrist. I can understand why as she knew that she was not mental,

and was not treated very well when she had some bad turns.

One GP caused more damage to me than any, and I was already on Pimozide before

being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, but I did not find out about the connection

to my Mother until years later when I was still able fortunatley to obtain her

records, and it was her records that helped my previous GP, plus tracing family

records and my Grannies death certificates. Through this he could say that it

was inherited on my Fathers side too (cause of the heart problems).

I felt much anger with the one GP as my weight went up and up with all the drugs

prescribed. I had, had enough when I got breast cancer which I am sure was

caused by drugs.All the weight caused me to get incontinent in turn this is not

good, and not good for the kidney. Before surgery I had to have a ring inserted

which in turn caused infection.

This GP also ruined my marriage in turn my Daughters have denied me knowing my

Grandchildren.

I complained at the time I had cancer (having signed on at another surgery), but

not being on internet to gain knowledge I could not get enough proof against the

GP.

When I did ICAS would not help with this, and in the end wrote to the OMBUDSMAN.

I have a feeling he was asked to retire, as I was advised to write a formal

complaint to find that he had just retired. The Ombudsman after several months

then gave me several excuses for not investigating further, being the time limit

and that the GP had retired.

I left my former Husband in 2001, as due to health problems and him drinking far

too much, neither could cope with the other so I had to go to Social Services

for help. That help was a womens refuge for 3 months and I had a rough time in

there.

I was rehoused, and ill as soon as I moved there, plus my Granddaughter having

to be delivered early as her Mum too had the thyroid problem.My Grandaughters

brain was dammaged due to a problem with the placenta, so this was also not a

good Xmas.

I refused to go back to my local hospital and was eventually sent to Chelsea and

Westminster and surgery was done for incontinence, and I was treated well and

impressed with the Hospital.

Problems cropped up in 2005 and the PCT refused to allow me to go back, and my

GP tried to refer me for two procedures at the local hospital which I felt would

do more harm so turned them down.

I was put through a rough time when it came to pension credit, as although I was

getting income support I was then told they had made a mistake, as I owned half

the matrimonial home which was classed as my investment (I did declare it). I

can only think they try and pull you down in every way possible, and I have yet

to find out who has turned my Daughters against me, as in turn it will not do

them anygood either. A solicitor managed to get my pension credit and my

benefits back provided I go through with divorce to obtain my investment.

I could not complete it on this occasion, as it pulled me down too much.At the

same time that GP had overprescribed the former Husband with inhalers, so he was

adicted to them and had to wean himself off of them (I think drinking was

involved too).

I had hoped as well that we might have got back together as he used to visit.

His lungs are too bad though and caused my health to be worse, and I was not

happy where I lived as new residents moved in. The neighbour opposite me also

thyroid used to smoke and it made her chest bad,so this was not doing me anygood

either. I had another temper tantrum from the former Husband, and proceded to

the very end with divorce and the settlement allowed me to purchase my own flat,

and it was in a bad state, but its nice now.

ICAS attended a review meeting at my local hospital (2 hour meeting), and it was

agreed that I had the right to go back there, and if my GP did not agree then

ICAS would have then tacked the PCT. A 2 hour cd recording was made of this

meeting which my GP listened to.

However another technicality he wanted me to be seen by another gynaecologist at

the local hospital to be checked out for cancer, as he said it would take 3

months to get funding from the PCT, and he could get into trouble if I had

cancer due to the rules. If I was found to have cancer he could refer me

urgently. More delays however as due to me complaining already about two

specialist they refused to accept me (I did not want to see them either). I was

eventually sent for an ultrasound (before this I had, had that nasty fall on the

bus that I am sure pulled my health down more and in much pain).

I eventually got up to Chelsea and Westminster, and they found two polyps which

can cause infections when they bleed, and not good for the kidney. I said I was

not satisfied with the ultrasound at my local hospital as there was no mention

of the fibroids known to be there. They did their own scan and they made it a

multiple of small fibroids. I have now ask why my local hospital did not find

the fibroid that they knew were there but missed a lot more. I had also been to

see a gynaecologist before all this and she did not diagnose the polyps telling

me that it was all in the mind. I am going to give them another prod for their

response tomorrow.

The repair I had for incontinence has also started playing up, said to last 5

years, but its now lasted 8 years, and I don't know what they will do as thay

cannot repeat it.

I also look back and wonder if it was worth surviving cancer.

I have also not been able to take thyroxine and now know why as there is a

problem with calcium, and thyroxine causes calcium to be lost through the

kidneys. They cannot allow it to go on as too much calcium will then be lost

through ones bones and in turn my bones will suffer badly. The calcium problem

is evident in the family, but they have not been diagnosed with a thyroid

problem, so I am a little unsure here.

I suggest that you get cracking with ICAS and write everything down like I did

each complaint with a number, and ask if they will attend a meeting with you.

They will not go into a legal case that involves a solicitor, but they provide a

list. If your not satisfied you can go to the PCT, OR THE OMBUDSMAN, but I did

not find that much good, and a Solicitor will not take on a case unless fully

paid, as with legal aid or no win no fee they want to be sure of winning the

case.

A solicitor is unlikely to take on a case just to get treatment, but any damage

caused by negligence they may.

They appear to want to pull us all down.

Could there be more to this now as much of the illnesses are caused by

pollution, and cancer rates are very high, so is there a cover up here, and

Doctors are puppets of the government. They are already turning down care for

some cancer patients.

Kathleen

>

> Hi Kathleen (and for hijacking your thread)

>

> What was your experience with ICAS? I am currently trying to put forth a

complaint about several GPs (but moreso my own GP of 8 years) against my medical

practice, to an ICAS Advocate... but she has no medical knowledge and does not

want any medical jargon in my draft letter of complaint for her to review. (?)