Health PLayIng a suPPorTIng roLe What can you do if you dont get the support you need from your GP? words: peter Stannett J ust how good is your GP? The National Centre for Social Researchs British Social Attitudes survey in 2014 suggested 71 per cent of the public were satisfied with GP services but this also means that 29 per cent were not. Sometimes, being dissatisfied with treatment from your GP can result from miscommunication either the GP has not understood you, or you have not made clear what you expect from them. On other occasions, the treatment you receive may not be in line with current best practice. So what practical steps can you take to get the treatment that addresses your needs that youre entitled to under the NHS constitution? As a first step, you might consider discussing your concerns with your GP, other practice staff or another GP. Heres five top tips for getting your doctor to listen to you: 1 2 pain control what can you expect? complaints procedure Answer the GPs most pressing question first. Often GPs rely on a checklist and find it difficult to move on before they get an answer to those questions. If they ask for a description of pain, give as full a description as you can, while keeping it relevant to the question. 3 If the GP uses only closed questions (those that require only a yes or no answer), add a description at the end. For example, if the question is Does that hurt? go on to say how much, when its most painful and what affects the pain. Assume that youve been asked why or how. Make eye contact so that you know your answer has been registered. Ask your own questions if you dont understand something. You might discover that your GP is unsure and has a mental tick list of questions. Or there may be issues that are relevant that you hadnt thought were. Think about questions you might like to ask before your appointment, and write them down if you think you might forget. 4 Take control of the conversation if you think your points are not being heard. For example, you could interject and say something like: Ive tried to answer your questions, but Im not convinced that all my concerns have been addressed. Can you please help me to understand why I am feeling.? Or Why am I not being referred? Assert yourself if you dont think that youve been understood. 5 Be courteous and respectful to your doctor. Challenge the arguments. This will also stand you in good stead for future consultations, and if you need to make a complaint. You could also speak to the practice nurse. Part of their role is to provide health information, and they should have knowledge of chronic condition management. Getting a referral Whether or not a GP refers you depends on their clinical judgement. If you think you should be referred for physiotherapy or to a pain clinic, for example, use some of the techniques above to influence that. Second opinions If you are not satisfied with the treatment you have received from your GP, you are legally entitled to seek a second opinion from another GP, and youre also entitled to change GP practices if you wish. Although you have a legal right to ask for a second opinion, there is no obligation for the surgery to provide you with one. You can, however, make an appointment with another doctor Pain control what can you exPect? The General Medical Council advises that doctors should take all possible steps to alleviate pain and distress whether or not a cure may be possible. Statement two of the 2015 NICE Osteoarthritis Guidance says that adults newly diagnosed with osteoarthritis will have an assessment that includes pain and impact on daily activities and quality of life. The NICE Guidance for Rheumatoid Arthritis 2009 also offers guidance for symptom or pain control. It says that health professionals involved in assessing, caring for and treating adults with arthritis should have sufficient and appropriate training and competencies to deliver the actions and interventions described in the quality standard. problem resolved how you can be contacted months for your complaint to be considered. if you would like support with making a complaint, nhs advocacy is a service provided by your local authority, which can give you free, confidential and independent support. For further information, go to patients-association.org.uk/ publications/you-and-yourdoctor complaints procedure if you decide to make a formal complaint, the first step is to ask for a copy of your gp surgerys complaints procedure. send copies of letters, notes, dates and names of whom you have spoken to. include in your complaint: Who or what you are complaining about What happened and when how you would like the the nhs Constitution states that you have a right to have your complaint properly investigated. Your complaint should be acknowledged within three working days, and you should also be told about the outcome of the investigation. You must complain within 12
