Text size

Theme

Language

"I honestly don't know what to do anymore"

About: Glasgow Royal Infirmary / Surgical Assessment Unit

(as the patient),

I had a pretty dire experience at GRI surgical assessment again. Waited sitting in a corridor to be seen by a doctor. I will say the specialist nurse practitioner was so lovely and took my symptoms seriously and was suggesting different investigations.

Unfortunately the doctor was a different story. No idea what their name was as never introduced themself or had a badge visible (I wonder why). They walked in with what felt like a disinterested attitude and I felt patronised.

I was sent in by my GP with a fever and low oxygen sats, several months of abdominal pain (and pain on touching), nausea and vomiting and over a stone weight loss. I'd been in previously for an endoscopy which didn't find the issue so this time all they did was a chest x-ray and I was sent home on painkillers (that I told the doctor previously caused more pain) and antisickness that they couldn't even give me because pharmacy was closed. They also told me to take a PPI even though they knew I'd had adverse reactions to 4 different PPI drugs. When I reminded them of this, they shrugged and told me that was what they were suggesting. Refused to do more imaging to check gallbladder and pancreas (despite admitting that bloods can often miss these issues) because I'd had a CT scan 5 years ago. I also have a family history of gallstones. We pushed and the best we got was he would do an "urgent" outpatient ultrasound which would take 2 months at least.

They also told me to pick a place where the pain is worse?! And smirked at me the whole way through the conversation, shrugging every time I asked what was I supposed to do if I can't eat due to the pain and vomiting.

I honestly don't know what to do anymore, my Gastro referral is not for another 5 months, I'm going to be so underweight by the time I get seen. I'm so tired of being in pain and vomiting.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde last week
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Submitted on 25/03/2025 at 10:59
Published on Care Opinion at 10:59


picture of Nicole McInally

dear Violetyc37

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are deeply sorry to hear about the challenges you faced during your visit to the GRI surgical assessment unit. It is concerning to hear about the long wait times, the lack of introduction from the doctor, and the overall attitude that made you feel patronised.

We are glad to hear that the specialist nurse practitioner took your symptoms seriously and suggested different investigations. However, we regret that your experience with the doctor was not as positive. Your concerns about the lack of appropriate imaging and the adverse reactions to medications are valid, and we understand your frustration.

Given your ongoing symptoms and the impact on your health, we advise you to contact your GP for further advice and support. Your GP can reassess your condition, provide additional guidance, and potentially expedite your Gastro referral.

If you would like a more detailed response, can you please contact our Complaints Team @ ggc.complaints@nhs.scot

Please accept our apologies for your experience and thank you for highlighting these issues.

Thank you

Nicole

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by violetyc37 (the patient)

Thank you Nicole, I've put in a formal complaint as when I contacted the assessment unit directly for information, I found them to be obstructive. I have found out that I was misinformed when I was told that an "urgent" ultrasound referral had been done, as my GP could see it had instead been put through as "routine".

My GP is very limited in investigations they can do and are frustrated by the lack of care from the assessment unit. The Gastro referral unfortunately can't be expedited as it is in fact classified as urgent but will still be 6 months.

Also to make you aware, I'm not sure why this was removed, but the wait time in the corridor was 11 hours.

Response from Nicole McInally, Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde last week
Nicole McInally
Patient Experience and Public Involvement Project Manager, PEPI,
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Submitted on 25/03/2025 at 17:21
Published on Care Opinion at 17:21


picture of Nicole McInally

Dear Violetyc37

Thank you for the update. Our Complaints Team will contact you directly.

Take Care

Nicole

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k