GP not treating me correctly

Trixter_82_
Trixter_82_ Online Community Member Posts: 28 Listener
Hi, so last week I went to urgent care centre after contacting 111 about my severe headaches, and they did a full review on me, took bloods, the lot to rule out anything life threatening. They proceeded with observations on me and asking me about my head aches, and said they sound like severe migraines, but they cannot prescribe treatment. They said they will write to my GP and ask them to do an emergency full review as they are effecting my quality of life and rendering me bed bound. They stated the codeine my gp initially presribed me needs to be stopped as they will be making them worse with something called medication over use.  I've read the nice guidelines around migraines and it states if medication overuse is suspected and migraines lasting over 72 hours, then an emergency referral needs to be made to a neurologist for assessment and preventative treatment plan.  I know with state of nhs at the moment with gps leaving practices etc they are over stretched but what's happening now is patients needing emergency treatment are being neglected. My gp normally rings me when I've been to emergency care but this time they haven't to arrange a prompt appointment. If I ring up to make an appointment all I get is ring at 9am to get on the day appointment which I do and they never pick up or I have to wait 6-8 weeks for an appmt. The fact I've been to urgent care, they have written to my practice for me to have an urgent appmt because I need prompt treatment and stop using these pain killers which are making me ill in the long term, and they haven't bothered to ring me is not acceptable. Can I complain about this and if so, how do I? I'm in so much pain, I have 3 kids to look after 2 with complex needs, home educated, they cannot neglect me like this.  

Comments

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Hi and welcome to the community 

    Complaints procedure should be available on your gp surgery website of call and speak to practice manager 

    I'd still no resolution follow the PALS complaint process details can be found online
  • Binky1234
    Binky1234 Online Community Member Posts: 468 Empowering
    Email practice manager so you have a paper trail.
  • Binky1234
    Binky1234 Online Community Member Posts: 468 Empowering
    Keep it nice and polite, to the point. Don't bring down the practice just air your concerns.

    State exactly what you want done and how long you're willing to wait for a response. 

    Good luck 
  • Cartini
    Cartini Online Community Member Posts: 1,107 Trailblazing
    Hi,
    I`m sorry, but I don`t see you having any grounds to complain.  The NHS, both surgeries and hospitals, are bulging at the seams.  You will be one of xxxxx number of people "on the books", and there will, without a shadow of a doubt, be someone with a higher priority than yourself. 
    My surgery practice has 30,000 patients on their books; it`s easier to spot a Dodo than it is to get an appointment, but that`s not grounds for me to submit a complaint.
    Having said that, I hope you do get an appointment soon and that your headaches are just that - headaches and nothing serious (I know how debilitating migraines can be - I had them as a child).
    Andy
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    Have you been able to follow the complaints procedure, and contact the practice manager @Trixter_82_?

    This sounds really stressful, so I'm sorry that you haven't been getting the support you need. 

    Is there anyone who can offer practical support with the kids at home? 
  • Trixter_82_
    Trixter_82_ Online Community Member Posts: 28 Listener
    Hi, just responding to your replies and an update. I have an appointment next week, and they have since presribed antibiotics as it could've been a sinus infection leading to the migraines, also requested I have a blood test which I need to arrange. I get these migraines regularly, so something underlying is going on for sure which needs investigating. My partner believes I may have sleep apnea which could be irritating my sinuses and causing them to become inflamed and getting infected. So I need to ask for a sleep study and referral to a neurologist for the migraines. But least I'm getting somewhere now. Thank you for your advice. 
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    Hi @Trixter_82_ just to say I'm glad things are moving forward for you now, all the things you've mentioned looking into are likely worth doing, even if only to rule them out. I'm also pleased to hear that you've been able to get some help from the community here :)

    Do keep us in the loop with how things go, and I hope your appointment goes smoothly next week!