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"Poor service and lack of communication from GP practice"

About: General practices in Lanarkshire

(as a carer),

After two calls from the GP pharmacist to my frail elderly mum about medication, and her asking both times for a call to be arranged with myself present, I had arranged via GP reception for a call today around 10am by pharmacist . I drive 70 mile round trip to facilitate this. Arranged 10 days ago. 

Waited until 10.45am- no call. Waited from being 25th in queue to speak to reception to be told the pharmacist doesn’t work today and he had changed the appointment to a different day. No contact or notification of this and a third complete ignoring of my mum’s explicit request. 

Asked for practice manager to discuss my concerns, advised on holiday. Asked for call by person covering. No attempt from surgery to make any contact. 

Honestly appalled! 

Solution was we were given a GP appointment for the next week, even though it is the pharmacist who had chosen to call re medication, no changes needed or advised by any medical or nursing professional.

Why not communicate appropriately rather than waste a GP appointment given they are hard to get and how hard is it to make a brief courtesy call and find a solution. 

So another 70 mile  round trip and having to take a frail, elderly lady with poor mobility in and out of home, her wheel chair and a clinic full of  people, to waste a much needed gp appointment for a discussion about medication neither the patient nor gp wants to change!  Honestly have no words!

Looking forward to hearing the clinical rationale for this fiasco when someone has time and courtesy to respond. 

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Responses

Response from Elise Palmer, Improvement Advisor, Quality Directorate, NHS Lanarkshire 7 months ago
Elise Palmer
Improvement Advisor, Quality Directorate,
NHS Lanarkshire

assists with admin of Care Opinion in NHS Lanarkshire. requires access to all NHS Lanarkshire stories

Submitted on 11/09/2024 at 16:21
Published on Care Opinion at 20:30


Dear Crcartw,

Thank you for sharing your experience of your GP practice.

I am sorry to hear of the issues you are having with your GP practice. It is disappointing to hear about the difficulties you have faced to review your mums medication.

Unfortunately, GP’s are independent contractors and are responsible for investigating and responding to any concerns a person may have about the service; they are not registered to respond directly to feedback through Care Opinion. Please could I ask that you contact Patient Affairs, Primary Care, for advice and guidance. I have included their details below.

PatientAffairs.PrimaryCare@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Tel no: 01698 752800 Option 2.

Kind Regards,

Elise

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