Doctors Arrogance

[sean110869]

Hello to all,

 

I am the father of a fifteen year old autistic boy who had to recenlty attend a meeting with a "relatively" new doctor to our son (so far two visits) who frankly I feel has overstepped her boundaries and deserves putting back in her place.

 

Some background my son was finally diagnosed at 13, some nine years after my wife and I raised our concerns but has been stated since he was four, due to a lack of diagnosis it has been one long and constant battle to get him any help and support from either his school or the NHS & my wife and I are worn out.

 

My son only eats four different things, chips, pizza, jacket potato's & baked beans, we have been concerned about his weight since he was four and so far he has gone through two dieticians and four support workers who have treid to change what he eats to no avail and although we have not given up due to more pressing concerns like his asthma, pain in his legs and trying to ensure his happiness in a world he finds overwhewlming we have never pressed the matter.

 

He also suffers from various medical conditions that various doctors have linked to his autism, he suffer pains in his legs, the doctors think it may be a mental or physical issue but are mixed as to which way forward. When he is in pain we often have to take him to hospital and he walks with a crutch, he does have a wheelchair but I do not use it unless he is in absolute agony.

 

Now to the doctor, she has decided Jack's issue's are down to his weight not his autism and that my wife and I neglect him as we only feed him what he likes and do not force him to try other things, this would be difficult with a normal child but nigh on impossible with Jack. The fact that I work is also neglect apparently as my 60/70 hour working week should be less and I should be taking Jack swimiing etc. ( I do when I can) we have also tried to get him involved in boxing / rughy / footbal / cycling but as with a lot off autistic children he finds these activities in groups overwhelming.

 

As I reminded the doctor that putitng the clothes on his back, the roof over his head and the food on his table was a long way from neglect and she then preceded to lecture me at 44 as to what I can eat our relationship has deterioted so much she threatened my wife with social services in front of our child but not me as she probably knew by then I would hvae wipped the floor with her "i am god attitude"

 

Even though our GP / all his other doctors / his school have told her he is far from neglected she has followed through with her threat and contacted social services, which means yet another person rocking our boat while we try to steer a steady ship to adulthood for our son and I have no intention of letting her getting away with such a vindictive step based on no reasonable grounds just the fact that I would not kiss her ar?e and treat her like a demi god.

 

We have nothing to hide and know when we get the call we will pass with flying colours but my wife has already suffered one minor stroke caused by the stress of our son's autism and my poor son has gone from a happy boy to one scared to eat or answer the door in case he is taken away from his parents, there must be some way I can teach this "bully" masquerading as a doctor a leasson and would welcome suggestions. :mad2:

[renegadeimp]

Not wise to try and chase her purely out of revenge. What you need to do is sit down, get a level head on, and write a full complaint to the practice manager. Then depending on the response, you can go to the LHA, and then the GMC.

[stu007]

You need to do this all formally and get those complaints in writing in to those suggested by renegadeimp.

 

Keep copies of every letter and ensure you get proof of posting.

[rebel11]

Hi sean110869

 

This sounds like a Consultant at your local hospital, you have quite a few options. The first port of call is Pals at your local Hospital.

 

It does sound like the Consultant is 'barking up the wrong tree'. There is nothing to stop you requesting another Consultant.

 

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1082.aspx?CategoryID=68

 

How to complain:-

 

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx

[fletch70]

Lots of good suggestions but it does depend on who the Dr is, a GP, a consultant, a junior Dr who is part of a consultants team running a clinic.

 

Would getting social services involved be such a bad thing, could they provide support that is not available elsewhere, maybe respite care (you say your wife has already had one minor stroke due to the stress)

 

Why is your son now scared to answer the door? You say that he is scared of being separated from his parents, a very natural condition expecially with an autistic child , but where did that thought stem from?

[rebel11]

Why does it depend on who the Doctor is? The Doctor is saying that Jack is being 'Neglected', if the GP who see's Jack regularly was saying that then, maybe there would be concerns. But the GP is supportive and hasn't contacted 'Social Services. If the family needs help then the GP would of contacted them.

 

Lots of good suggestions but it does depend on who the Dr is, a GP, a consultant, a junior Dr who is part of a consultants team running a clinic.

 

Would getting social services involved be such a bad thing, could they provide support that is not available elsewhere, maybe respite care (you say your wife has already had one minor stroke due to the stress)

 

Why is your son now scared to answer the door? You say that he is scared of being separated from his parents, a very natural condition expecially with an autistic child , but where did that thought stem from?

[fletch70]

Why does it depend on who the Doctor is? The Doctor is saying that Jack is being 'Neglected', if the GP who see's Jack regularly was saying that then, maybe there would be concerns. But the GP is supportive and hasn't contacted 'Social Services. If the family needs help then the GP would of contacted them.

It depends on who the Dr is because there will be different routes on how to complain. If it a junior Dr you could express your concerns to the consultant for example. I thought it was pretty obvious as there is no point in complaining to the practice manager if it is a hospital dr.

As for the social services, purely a question. As seen Drs and not infallible and maybe the circumstances have changed. We can not tell on the limited info.

[rebel11]

I don't know what more information you would require? You would complain to the Hospital regardless of whether it is a Junior or Senior Doctor, I'm clear we are talking about a Hospital Doctor, as the GP is supportive.

 

It depends on who the Dr is because there will be different routes on how to complain. If it a junior Dr you could express your concerns to the consultant for example. I thought it was pretty obvious as there is no point in complaining to the practice manager if it is a hospital dr.

As for the social services, purely a question. As seen Drs and not infallible and maybe the circumstances have changed. We can not tell on the limited info.

[fletch70]

Sorry there is nothing to suggest what type of Dr. It could easily be an on call Dr from the practice or the only available appointment at the surgery. Maybe even an out of hours Dr. Without more info no one can tell.

 

Also please remember that autism is a spectrum ranging from the hardly noticeable to the severe.

[BazzaS]

I think you are both right to some extent, in that :

a) A complaint to PALS would remove it "mattering" the grade of doctor, but also

b) the grade of doctor DOES matter, if only for who you may wish to be seen by in future .

 

I doubt a more junior doctor (FY or CT) would make a social services referral without at least running it past a senior.

If it was an ST, staff grade or assoc. specialist they have more autonomy - you might ask to be seen by the consultant instead

 

If it was the consultant : is there another consultant there with the same special interest in ASD?

If not : where do you see your child's future hospital care taking place?

[rebel11]

O/T Unfortunately too often Senior Consultants pass their responsibilities on to Junior Doctors, 'You will see a member of his team'. The Senior Consultant reads the patients file, discusses it with the Junior Doctor, the patient then see's the Junior Doctor, the Junior Doctor then reports back to the Senior Consultant.

 

I think you are both right to some extent, in that :

a) A complaint to PALS would remove it "mattering" the grade of doctor, but also

b) the grade of doctor DOES matter, if only for who you may wish to be seen by in future .

 

I doubt a more junior doctor (FY or CT) would make a social services referral without at least running it past a senior.

If it was an ST, staff grade or assoc. specialist they have more autonomy - you might ask to be seen by the consultant instead

 

If it was the consultant : is there another consultant there with the same special interest in ASD?

If not : where do you see your child's future hospital care taking place?

[ScarletPimpernel]

O/T Unfortunately too often Senior Consultants pass their responsibilities on to Junior Doctors, 'You will see a member of his team'. The Senior Consultant reads the patients file, discusses it with the Junior Doctor, the patient then see's the Junior Doctor, the Junior Doctor then reports back to the Senior Consultant.

 

This is not sloping shoulders, or arrogance, but a normal part of a doctor's training. In the NHS, patients have no right to demand to be seen by a particular grade of doctor, or a specific consultant. What can happen is that a patient (or parent), can ask to be referred, and if the GP or consultant thinks it appropriate, they can make the referral - but the consultant isn't obliged to accept the referral. Patients do have a right to a second opinion, though.

[sean110869]

Just wanted to say thank you for your reply