Doctors - should I complain?

[Bollie]

You say you have suffered with this condition for over 30 years. Have you been refered to the skin dept at the hospital, if not why not, let someone who is a specialist in skin complains sort it out for you. Tell your doctor you want a referal to the skin dept at the Hallamshire for them to sort you out, and dont take no as a answer from him, you have every right to see a specialist for your complaint.

 

Well, my first GP retired, the replacement was rubbish and uninterested, then I moved house a further 3 times thus changing GPs. I suppose, as long as I was getting the creams, it was kind of under control.

 

I (or maybe my Mum) must have enquired at some point though because I have a vague recollection of a two year waiting list at the Dermatology department. I know it sounds odd but I have no idea what happened after that.

 

As for rights. Hmm, this is where I get confused. Off topic I know but my son was born with a tiny toe with no nail. Middle toe, right foot. I took him to the GP where it was described as an 'Amniotic Band'. Basically stringy stuff in the womb can get wrapped around parts of the baby's body (usually small digits) and cut off the circulation and growth. Anyway, I was refered to a specialist and added to a waiting list.

 

Two days later I received a letter from the original GP telling me that, after a discussion (?) it was decided that, due to funding, the toe was not that important after all and they will just 'monitor' it.

 

Did I have a right to see the specialist?

[cytine]

I have suffered Eczema for over 60 years since the day I was born. I was under the care of a consultant dermotologist for over 20 of those years. I spent many hours in "Skins" at the old Royal Infirmary then Hallamshire Hospital. I took oral steroids for many years (I don't think they give them for Eczema now). I have used every cream/treatment you can think of and taken part in many trials. I am a lot better but I still have "Flare ups", so I sympathise with you. But, I have never had any problem seeing my GP or Nurse Practitioner.

I have been at my present surgery for 40 years and I have NEVER been asked by a receptionist why I need to see the doctor. I would tell them it's none of their business.

I wondered if you are allergic to eggs? I am just curious because I am.

[Rupert_Baehr]

...

Two days later I received a letter from the original GP telling me that, after a discussion (?) it was decided that, due to funding, the toe was not that important after all and they will just 'monitor' it.

 

Did I have a right to see the specialist?

 

Probably not. The NHS does not guarantee that all patients will receive all treatments that the patient asks for. It doesn't have either the money or the manpower to do that.

 

Your doctor told you that funding came into the reason. That happens.

[Bollie]

I have suffered Eczema for over 60 years since the day I was born. I was under the care of a consultant dermotologist for over 20 of those years. I spent many hours in "Skins" at the old Royal Infirmary then Hallamshire Hospital. I took oral steroids for many years (I don't think they give them for Eczema now). I have used every cream/treatment you can think of and taken part in many trials. I am a lot better but I still have "Flare ups", so I sympathise with you. But, I have never had any problem seeing my GP or Nurse Practitioner.

I have been at my present surgery for 40 years and I have NEVER been asked by a receptionist why I need to see the doctor. I would tell them it's none of their business.

I wondered if you are allergic to eggs? I am just curious because I am.

 

Haven't thought about eggs.... what happens when you have them?

[margarete]

Hi Bollie

 

Sorry to hear of your difficulties. I found this page: http://eczema-natural-healing.com/eczema-food-allergies.html Don't know if anything there might help you.

 

My own eczema cleared up completely when I cut out salt and salty food as far as it was possible, but obviously my eczema wasn't as serious or long-lasting as your is.

 

All the best to you.

[Bollie]

Hi Bollie

 

Sorry to hear of your difficulties. I found this page: http://eczema-natural-healing.com/eczema-food-allergies.html Don't know if anything there might help you.

 

My own eczema cleared up completely when I cut out salt and salty food as far as it was possible, but obviously my eczema wasn't as serious or long-lasting as your is.

 

All the best to you.

 

Ah, thanks margarete, that's really kind of you, x

[sweetness88]

not very nice if that would have happend to me i would have demanded an apology - you should ask to change your docter and demand a steroid cream as u think it may help xxx

[cytine]

Hello Bollie

I don't eat eggs or anything I know has eggs in them e.g. cakes, yorkshire puddings etc. Although I have probably had something I didn't know contained eggs. I even had to go out of the kitchen if someone was frying an egg. At one time I could not have the flu jab because it's egg based. I don't seem as bad now I do have the jab but I am still very careful what I eat.

It's been many years since I found out about the allergy and I can't remember how I found out. But as I remember my mouth would itch badly and feel as if it was swelling up, risking blocking the windpipe. I also had the severe itching, scratching, soreness and bleeding of which I'm sure you are very familiar with.

If you are allergic to eggs you must inform any doctors etc that you consult as some vaccines or medications are egg based. They will probably have a laugh but I recently had surgery requiring a spinal anaesthetic and the anaesthetist explained the allergy affects what drugs she can give me.

Hope this helps.

[Bollie]

Hello Bollie

I don't eat eggs or anything I know has eggs in them e.g. cakes, yorkshire puddings etc. Although I have probably had something I didn't know contained eggs. I even had to go out of the kitchen if someone was frying an egg. At one time I could not have the flu jab because it's egg based. I don't seem as bad now I do have the jab but I am still very careful what I eat.

It's been many years since I found out about the allergy and I can't remember how I found out. But as I remember my mouth would itch badly and feel as if it was swelling up, risking blocking the windpipe. I also had the severe itching, scratching, soreness and bleeding of which I'm sure you are very familiar with.

If you are allergic to eggs you must inform any doctors etc that you consult as some vaccines or medications are egg based. They will probably have a laugh but I recently had surgery requiring a spinal anaesthetic and the anaesthetist explained the allergy affects what drugs she can give me.

Hope this helps.

 

Blimey. I have loads of eggs. Cakes, Yorkies, omelettes and I LOVE mayo!! Come to think of it, my eczema has been horrendous all week... I wonder if pancake day had anything to do with it....

 

May have to have an egg free trial, thanks for the tip!

[sheffieldliz]

Tell them you need an emergency appointment if she asks what it's for tell her that you do not wish to discuss it with anyone other than your GP as this is your right under patient confidentiality. As we will all have encountered receptionists at GP surgeries tend to think they are the doctor. If anything else is said tell her you want to speak to the practice manager. I Have this all the time at my doctors an more than once when my daughter was a newborn and ill. If you want I'll come with you I bet I can get you seen!!!