GPS NOT GIVING ME A HEALTH PLAN

[nowhereman]

HI.im wondering if anybody else has had a similar problem getting a health plan done by a brisbane general practitioner?? Its so i can see a psychologist bulked billed.ive been begging brisbane doctors to do it for me for ages and had really bad responses. Like..maybe next time .or .why do you want that for.or yes yes but not now.and its never done. No wonder so many people give up on practitioners. Very lame. Max

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Max / nowhereman,

Gosh I'm so sorry that you've had this experience and this frustrates me so much because there's no reason that GP's should be denying you of one.

I only have a couple of suggestions though:

1) Go back, say that you want one. If they say "not now" say "why not?" If they say "what do you want that for?" then say "because I want to see a psychologist". If they say "next time" say "I came here especially for this reason." Use your words in a way that does not give them a chance to ignore you. If you're struggling to be assertive maybe bring someone with you who can help advocate for you.

2) Complain. At the end of the day no GP should be denying you the right to see a psychologist. If you've tried a few GP's in the same clinic this is even better because they would need to look at the patient notes and see what the GP has written. If the GP's said 'come back' and you've 'come back' and she/he's still denied you one than that's not best practice.

[nowhereman]

Thanks.but i did all you said to try. I even emailed those doctores many times reminding them how impoertant it is. He keeps saying he will do it.but dosnt. Max

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi nowhereman,

What happened when you complained; who did you complain to and what did they say?

[nowhereman]

I eventually lodged a new complaint with the health ombudsmans office and one with his practice manager.also ive now told him that i know he works along with mens health.so im ringing them to complain also.why not.i mean he treats me like a second rate citizen.

[blondguy]

Hi Max

In the '80's there was no thing as a mental health plan (I wish!)

I called my local council to send out a mental health worker (psychiatric nurse) who was a legend and helped me with chronic anxiety & agoraphobia for 2 visits and then insisted I see him weekly for six months....which I did.

This was free and the guy was a legend 🙂

If you have any questions please shoot as this service is still available through local mental health facilities

kind thoughts for you Max

Paul

[nowhereman]

Thats true.and i remember if you were in serious truoble.like i was.thenn they put you in hospital for months to regulate.stablelize and rehabilitate.now.like where im staying .people dont take thier meds and walk coridoors all day and night talking to imaginary people. It tels me i should live overseas to get treated beter. Max

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi nowhereman,

Generally when you lodge a complaint they're supposed to keep in touch and give you feedback; action it etc. Has this been done - I'm more so curious as to the practice manager and how he/she responds.

I'm glad Paul/Blondguy was able to access a mental health worker. I tried to access one but with no help but the services are pretty different depending on where you live.

I think Germany's supposed to have free healthcare; maybe we could try there. Think the weather would be nicer too. 🙂

[nowhereman]

Hi.again and yes i sign my mental health care plan this friday with the same dr.we have had a couple of chats over the phone...he is also writing to the department of housing for me.but that could drag on.i recieved forms from them today.the same ones ive filled out many times before.i think its thier way of slowing the system.lol .also i saw the hospital today.my lung specialist.the news isnt too bad.although i was right four years ago.i have a vascular disease .if i can move back to the sunshine coast i will fix that im sure.i know thibgs that doctors dont know.about healing . Its a very spiritual place to me.the sunny coast. Max

[romantic_thi3f]

Hey Max / nowhereman,

Thanks for your post.

Ah, so glad that they finally got around to giving you the mental health care plan. This is a good step and sorry that it's taken them so long to do it. Hopefully the wait for you to see a psychologist won't be too long.

It sounds like you've got a few things on your plate with housing and the lung specialist; hope that you're travelling okay. At least now you are on the right track with the GP signing the forums.

The sunny coast sounds nice; hopefully better weather than here! What do you like about it; what makes it healing?