"Yearly appointment "

I visited the Great Western Hospital for my annual appointment expecting, as I had previously and also from my many years of attending The North Hampshire Hospital, of seeing a Doctor but I saw a nurse, a very nice friendly nurse.

Although she was very pleasant, after weighing me and then taking my blood pressure, I assumed she was the nurse who I would see before seeing a doctor. I wish she had made it clear that I would not be seeing a doctor. She was very interested in me personally; holidays, handbag, why I had moved area, husband, husband’s age, his work, age difference between us, etc., she did not offer me any answers re my condition; apart from buying an over the counter pain cream. I explained I was having pain and difficulty walking with my heel and that was when she suggested the pain cream because of my condition I live with pain daily. I use ‘Dr Google’ frequently and feel this is more useful which, quite frankly is a terrible thing to admit. To say I felt frustrated and upset re my appointment and that I did not get to see a doctor was an understatement. The nurse did not discuss my blood tests, which I have every 3 months as would normally happen or how my medication was effecting the rest of my body re side effects, she asked me questions that she could and did get from the records in front of her; this was regarding the names of the medication I take. In the end, I actually asked if the appointment was over and should I leave, as I felt awkward and did not feel I had had the benefit of someone knowing more about my condition than I did. As I said, she was extremely friendly and polite, as was I and I appreciate the NHS is under great pressure, but I left feeling worse than before my appointment.

I certainly hope the NHS gets the extra money it deserves and needs.