I'm hoping that someone can give me some advice. Long story cut short, my 20 year old son is covered from head to toe in a severe rash, probably psoriasis. Its even in his scalp. it's affecting him both physically and mentally.

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This started in May last year, various creams were prescribed to no avail. GP referred him to Dermatology in about June.

A letter arrived with an appointment at a health care centre for July, we arrived to be met by a nurse who took the family history-He had already given that to the GP, she took some photographs and said she'd email the Dermatologist. A letter arrived a couple of weeks later saying that the photos weren't clear and diagnosis unclear but he would be referred to Dermatology clinic.

Another letter has arrived, the appointment is at the same health centre to see a lady and the name is given.

Her name is not on the GMC site so I doubt she is a doctor. The name is unusual and I have googled her name and she appears to be some sort of health care practitioner. I have no problem with health care practitioners but my son needs to see a doctor, a specialist as a matter of urgency.

My son rang the health centre and asked if she was a doctor and the person on the phone said that she was. I doubt she is.

I don't know where to go from here, should I make a complaint?

If she is an advanced nurse practitioner (or nurse consultant) in dermatology, would you prefer he is:

a) seen by her, soon,

b) Seen by a doctor working in Dermatology, soon (but they may be very junior!), or

c) seen by an experienced Dermatology doctor, but quite some time in the future?.

Of course, the ideal would be “Seen by a Consultant (doctor) in dermatology, tomorrow”, but I doubt the ideal is likely ....

with the complaint you might make : what exactly are you complaining about?

I agree with Bazza. Most clinical nurse practitioners/specialists will be as knowledgeable as the junior doctor your son will otherwise see. His chances of seeing a consultant might be quite small.

I suffer episodically from a relatively serious eye condition which is treated as a medical emergency. The last time it flared up I had to attend our local Eye Casualty Clinic every other day for four weeks. (And once a week for six months). I was treated mostly by nurses but also by a junior doctor. The only time I saw a consultant was when my junior doctor had given up and he literally went out of the consulting room, managed to button hole his consultant and dragged him into see me. He examined my eye and said "He'll be fine" and left!

(Funnily enough, my eye started to recover after the consultant's "magic touch"!)

EDIT: Ask the GP who yor son's been referred to and for what. It's common to see other clinicians befro a doctor. Sorry -I can't edit his properly!!!!!!!!

I've edited a few things for you, MM, so it's a bit easier to read. Hopefully your posting problems will be resolved soon.

HB

Just reading through this and I can only agree with the other responses. Seeing a specialist nurse is part and parcel of just about every referral pathway and certainly not a nightmare. They’re often just as knowledgeable as the consultants themselves and certainly more experienced than a foundation year doctor who happens to have a GMC number but may only be a few years out of medical school. As for complaining, well frankly there’s nothing to complain about. I suggest that you attend the appointment as booked and take it all from there.

I am a former nurse myself and meant no disrespect, my point was that she took photographs and a medical history, that he had already given to the GP. and that was that. My son needs to see a doctor, he has had 2 appointments to see a dermatologist in the past 2 weeks and they cancelled both at short notice. My son has had this condition that is getting worse, he is covered from scalp to toe since May.

I meant no disrespect to the nurse. I am a former nurse! but her role was only to take a history that had been provided to the GP and take photographs, he was in and out in 5 minutes. There have been 2 appointments to see a specialist in the last 2 weeks and they cancelled both at short notice.

In which case you’ll understand that the consultant will need to prioritise their caseload and having their own team member reviewing the cases. I totally understand the situation but do stick with the process.

I know the nurse was there not in an advisory capacity but to filter the referrals. Update is he's been given another appointment.. in 6 weeks, and then it could get cancelled. It's exasperating! the sore skin bleeds and he has had a couple of secondary infections as he scratches all the time.