Unsatisfactory response from GP related to physical injury leading to distrust in her What to do

[Elizabeth CP]

Following an injury I was asked by the doctor in ED to attend my local GP to get a referal for a specialist to review my injury. The GP ignored the letter from ED doctor and insisted the injury was minor and come back in 6 weeks to remove splint. She wouldn't look at my injured arm despite my repeated explanations that I was experiencing increased pain and swelling in areas not originally injured. A 2nd opinion from another GP led to referal to another GP in the same practise with unsatistactory results. after which I resorted to ED at the local hospital where I finally was referered to a specialist clinic and had further tests.

9 weeks post injury the original injury is healed as expected but I'm left with ongoing issues related to the original cast and made worse by the delays in getting the cast replaced.

Ongoing pain & lack of sleep combined with the frustration of being able to carry out many normal activities had caused an escalation of MH issues. I no longer trust my GP so have noone to turn to. Should I make a complaint which will be stressful or just try to find a new GP at a different clinic which means they have no idea of my history.

[james1]

Hello Elizabeth CP,

I'm really sorry about the mess that your GP left you in.

I have a friend whose endometriosis problems weren't believed, which left her with some very severe lifelong issues now. She did not make an official complaint at the time for the same reason that it would be very stressful (plus she was in ICU for 7 months or so), and by the time she really had the energy to do it, the time had lapsed.

So just going off her story, my opinion would be that making a complaint now, while stressful, could save you in the longer run. I don't know enough about insurance and disability schemes, or even getting money for damages etc. But it seems that you at least need to have recorded a complaint, even if it didn't get anywhere, to even be considered for a lot of things.

I'm glad to hear the original injury healed, but really sad to hear about the ongoing issues, physical and mental. I hope things get better soon.

James

[Elizabeth CP]

Thank you James for you reply

[Guest_1055]

I am so sorry Elizabeth you are going through all this.

I have have had issues with GP's as well. And it does led to distrust. Think you need to be able to trust whoever it is that you are going to see.

I am pretty sure you can ask for all your medical records to be sent to someone else.

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks for your replies. Idon't feelup to talking to a new GP about hat is happening with me.It is too hard.