Akward GP

[sherbert12]

Hi there

 

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice please?

My daughter was referred due to a skin condition to a consultant dermatologist.

Before she was referred our gp prescribed a steroid mousse, which has worked wonders.

We then saw the specialist who advised that we carry on with the mousse until our next appointment.

After a few months we ran out and asked our gp to prescribe more. he has refused.

He said that he doesnt think it is the right treatment for her condition and suggested we go back into the surgery to discuss other treatments.

The specialist has faxed over her recommendations to him to carry on with the treatment, yet he refused yet again to prescribe and he refuses to refer the case to any other gp in the practice.

I am confused as to why he is not taking the advice of the expert in his field and remains stubborn, in the meantime my daughter is suffering from an outbreak due to lack of medication.

we ave asked the specialst to prescribe us directly, awaiting an answer this is all very akward and the practice manager of the surgery refuses to help us.

advice very welcome thank you

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Long term use of steroids for skin conditions can lead to some severe adverse reactions maybe the GP has reservations on this score.

I suggest you contact the consultant directly asking for a further appointment.

[sherbert12]

I understand what you are saying, she as another appointment in march. What I find unprofessional is that a specialist in their field has suggested the treatment continue and the gp is trying to cut her out of the picture and suggest treatment we have already tried and treatment that has already failed hence wasting everybodys time.

Is the gp allowed to override the decision of a specialist?

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

Basically yes the GP can decide not to continue a treatment he/she thinks is unsuitable, they are both experienced clinicians.

[sherbert12]

If she is still under the specialist (which she is) what are we supposed to do? are we to make an appointment with the gp overriding the decision of the specialist, then go back to the specilist in a couple of weeks only to be switched back to the original treatment? then when we run out get refused again and start something else and so on seems odd to me. this is ping pong doctoring.

[BRIGADIER2JCS]

If you are unhappy/concerned about you GPs stance on this you will need to make a complaint to your Primary Care Trust or demand that the GP allows a 2nd opinion from a Dr within the practice.

[sherbert12]

Thank you. That is what the practice manager said. In the meantime though my daughter is suffering. However I have aasked the specialist directly for a prescription so will find out if we can get it tomorrow.

[scoobied]

Or simply change gp practice

[sherbert12]

Or simply change gp practice

There is only 1 practice in a 17 mile radius, doesn't leave us much choice.

[sherbert12]

This the same GP who when i went with depression told me i was too fat and should join a 'baby club' for support, stop being lazy and go for walks.........then a few months afterwards I suffered a breakdown.

[SMIA]

My daughter has eczema and has to use a number of creams, but non contain steriods. It took a while but we did finally find one which worked with the help of our GP.

 

As previously advised, the long term use of steriods can have side effects and can think the skin. However, one does wonder why a GP would refuse the advise of a specialist. What is the point of seeing a specialist if the GP just ignores the advice? Isn't that a waste of time and money?

[sherbert12]

Yes thats what i think that the gp has wasted everyones time involved, steriods are the only thing that seems to have any impact on her condition.

the gp suggested i go back to another treatment which we have tried in the past and it has failed)

The way I see it, is that it is highly unprofessional to handle the matter in this way, by disregarding the specialists advice my daughter has suffered and it leaves the patient helpless in the middle of it all, and that is not right nor fair and a waste of nhs money and time.