changing doctors?

[GlasweJen]

I'm not sure wether I want to change or not, I've had a lot of problems with my GP practice in including:

*GP not following best practice when I presented with symptoms of ME

*GP refusing to follow best practice for the above despite a letter from my cardiologist explaining that in his opinion I may have developed ME as a side effect of drug therapy

*GP attempted to change my medication despite a number of specialists from several different hospital departments spending years (literally) getting the balance right

*GP, upon hearing of my impending implant operation, tried to transfer me to a local hospital to have all of my tests redone in order to prove that "it's all psychological"

*GP refered me to a psychiatrist when symptoms of ME persisted

*GP mistaking a stitch for pacing wire and refused to treat me, instead referred me to a hospital 70miles away to have a stitch cut.

*GP refused to send me for a second opinion on ME matter

*GP asking why I elected to have non-elective surgery.

 

There is more but I can't be bothered writing it, basically now every time I see her she's telling me it's in my head and to talk to the psychologist about it but the psych seems to think that there's nothing psycologically wrong with me. To be fair he is looking deep for a cause of all the symptoms and has asked me to catalogue anything that has happened that could have made me depressed which I am doing but most of it boils down to horrible treatment at the hands of NHS Lothian which all seems to come from the fact that I'm a patient being treated in Glasgow and refusing to move through. My GP is Edinburgh based and spends most of her time trying to convince me that I should see a specialist in Edinburgh but I don't want to do that because the NHS lothian have lost me on their system every time I've been in one of their hospitals.

 

Now had the psychiatrist said that I'm depressed, crazy or anything then I'd overlook the rest of the GPs attitude and stay at the practice but he seems to think seeing me is a big waste of time and that my GP has jumped on depression because of my family history (lots of deaths this year). I've tried seeing other GPs at the practice but they all just refer to her notes and pull depression out of their hats.

 

I'm considering changing GP. Ideally I would go back to the family doctor in Glasgow but I have to have a doctor in Edinburgh due to university rules so how do I find a practice that is rare heart condition treated in glasgow friendly? Is it possible to interview potential practices before applying to become a patient?

[ScarletPimpernel]

You have the right to change GP without giving a reason. Just contact your local PCT (Health Board in Scotland) for details of all the GPs in your area. Every practice must produce a leaflet which should list the doctors with their qualifications and interests, though some are more informative than others. It's entirely appropriate to ask questions; a short letter addressed to the senior partner of a practice you are considering joining should produce results.