Why do they call us patients?

clairc

They call us patients because they make us wait! LOL!

I saw the rheumy 2 in Norwich 2 weeks ago. They said they would write to my GP. I phoned the GP surgery today but they still haven't received a letter. They recommended phoning Norwich.

I phoned Norwich and they said all the typing was up to date but when I gave them my details they recognised my name and said the letter hasn't been written yet. Apparently the rheumy I saw wanted to discuss my test results with Dr Merry before writing the letter to my GP and Dr Merry has been away but they were both due in clinic today so hopefully they had their discussion and the letter will be sent soon.

I told the receptionist that my GP surgery is very good at losing letters so she is going to fax a copy to them too.

I'm a little concerned about the test results, I don't know if they all came back normal (which fits with the PR diagnosis) or if they found something else. I guess I'll have to be patient a little while longer.

Clair

salamander

Clairc, my rheumy copies me into all his letters, even when he is replying to someone who has written about me, i.e. my GP. Saw another consultant at another hospital for my liver and I asked for a copy of his letter as my rheumy wanted me to bring one in. Surprise, surprise, I never got one. There is so much inconsistency in the NHS. As far as I am concerned, all correspondence should be copied to the patient. We all know how easy it is to forget something that is said in consultation.

clairc

I did ask if they could send me a copy of the letter and the secretary said she would have to ask the doctors permission first. I just wish they would keep me in the loop, it would save an awful lot of worry and confusion!

annie_mial

I never had any problems getting copy letters, reports or results at my previous surgery.......but this new one........oooh, you would have thought I was asking for the world! Receptionist said 'We don't do that' snootily, so I said very gently 'Yes, you do'. She must have heard something in my tone of voice, 'cos she looked at me and mumbled something and disappeared....was gone for 20 mins and another recep had to come out and take over.

Result...a lovely copy of a letter which I swear had been written in that 20 mins and they haven't messed me about since. I'm convinced that up to that point my referral letter had not even been written.

Annie

woodbon

Hi, I go to the same hospital and I saw the consultant about a month ago. I went to my GP last week and she hadn't recieved any information from the hosptal. She rang the hospital and then rang me they are waiting to discuss my MRI with a Gynea and had sent anything through. It seems I may need a ultra sound on one of my overies that was removed over 25 years ago!!! My doc was going to try and chase it to see if it was a mistake or they still want the test. I had endometrosis which can leave active cysts, but its rare.

I wonder whats going on at the hospital. I suppose thats life!! Love Sue

nanasue

I think I know, it's a form of sarcasm because they do make us wait and they are also "trying our patience" with their inconsistencies. If a letter is about our health why shouldn't we have a copy? it would also help to prevent all the "mistakes" they make in communicating with other people dealing with our care. They seem to be so slap dash and haphazard it's a wonder anything ever gets done. Do you get the impression I'm fed up with them? welll you'd be right. Perhaps they need some of us "patients" to go in and help them get organised, now that WOULD be a good idea.

Sue x

grampyal

This is all so true, we should be treated as CLIENTS not items that help the doctors to "earn" huge amounts of cash. I have recently had a thrombo phlebitis in my good leg and phoned gp for a repeat script of the cream to apply to the clotted veins. I was told it was not "on repeat" but a request would be put for it. Three days later I called at surgery to be told the script was not there and there was no record of request but another would be put in. Phoned back that pm and was told that script was waiting for me. ( this is pm on Friday) Monday went to collect and was told no script. Said that I had been told it was there but answer was just, "No we dont have it here". Called next day and same result but receptionist did print out script and promise to pass it to gp. I did suggest that if one of the clots moved while I was repeatedly calling to surgery I would sue. Next day script is in with explanation that gp had not given it because the cream should not be used too often. I had to say that in that case the sensible thing would be to have told me not just ignore me. Perhaps we take too much from them.

tillytop

Hi Clair

You are so right about making us wait! And then making us chase! And then making us wait some more!

Sorry you are having to wait now, after all the effort you had to make to get and to travel to these appointments. Really hope the letter comes through very soon and try not to worry in the meantime if you can (easier said than done I know).

As the other peeps have said, it can be really difficult getting copies of the letters - some consultants copy me in as a matter of course, others don't and I have to battle the GP receptionist for copies. Same with blood test results. The latest wizard wheeze at my surgery is charging 20p for every sheet of paper they hand you - so if, as they do in my case sometimes, they print every blood test result on a separate sheet it soon adds up. Now I am not a complainer by nature but I did have a little rant about this and they don't charge me any more and I suspect they havce given up on this now completely. But I ask you :roll:

What will you do now? Will you wait a few days and check with your GP again? Hope it comes through very soon Clair.

Love Tilly x

hileena111

OK...this is Off Topic but reading this post why do they call us patients
made me think an airport....why do they call it a terminal.
You're going to far flung places for a great holiday {if you're lucky } and you arrive at the TERMINAL :shock: ....Doesnt inspire much confidence sorry shouldnt have gone OT her

Love
Hileena

lupin15

It is because they make an appointment and then they the doctors turn up late to the clinic. The clinic starts late, they also have extended coffee breaks. So you sit they and have to wait patiently...good name really. Not so sure that i am patient sometimes especially when some clinic i have been at for different conditions can run over 2 hours late.
That aside it must be difficult because every case is different and the time allotted is probably only small but it is bl...y annoying sitting and waiting when you get your ears chewed if you are late.

speedalong

They call us patients because they make us wait! LOL!

that is so true and also because they want us to fullfill our names and wait patiently ....


SPeedy