Tips gleaned from Bitter Experience

fibro1

1. Get a copy of your medical records - This can be done by submitting to the surgey a letter headed 'Subject Access Request' in this request your medical notes. Now there are strict guidelines on how much they can charge and how long they can take.

£10 for records held electronically - preferred option as cheaper and coveres most recent records

£50 for all records on paper and electronic - this includes those from pre computer days.

They have 40 days to give you the records.

The bad GP struck out my mother for making this request. If nothing else it tells you how willingly they co-operate with this request. My new GP surgery had no problems with it.

Once I got my notes I could see exactly what the docs see and how different this is to what we say when we go in.

It also helps to have your blood test results. In my case I was supposedly tested for arthritis and the GP said everything was 'normal'. When i looked through the results not a single test for arthritis had been done.

I have felt more empowered as a result of having my notes in my hands.

2. Where possible take someone with you as a witness and if anything contentious ever arises make a note of it at the time.

3. When seeing a consultant take the relevant blood tests and notes with you this ensures they have all relevant information about you and your time is not wasted.

Not many tips but they do go a long way to empowerment.

Love and best wishes to all xxx

sulkycat

I am very tempted to ask for my medical notes!

I would also add, never be afraid to ask a Dr or consultant to write things down for you - I used to jot things myself but my hands don't always work.

And always - if in doubt, ask.

Colin1

Its sad that you dont have any faith in your GP
Its even sadder that you have to do all the running
My GP is crap i dont think he has a clue i dont think he has
any medical training.
Colin

skezier

Hi Fibro

Thats interesting and good to know but in my case I wouldn;t want to see mine. I have enough trouble looking at the letters now a days.

Its good your feeling empowered cus we have the right to decide what happens and how we are treated s well and sometimes i know I forget that.

You know I sometimes wonder if a Dictaphone is a good idea... i wouldn;t use it for the rumo but it could be handy with one or two other consultants really.

I am lucky my bloods are n screen cus I am very bad at getting the card filled in. I was put on palliative care re the rumo so that side is covered in respect of any help beyond what I have..... now that bit I should like to challenge but its financial.

Hey given what they say to me face to face I would hate to see what they are saying to each other

Thanks though cus a lot of people will fine that helpful, Cris x

Hey Sulkycat I so agree if in doubt ask. x

frogmorton

Hi fibro1

good advice for anyone worried about the service they are getting from their GP or their diagnosis.

Thanks for taking the time to share this with us all

Love

Toni xxx