Hi all
I STILL haven't been able to see a doctor concerning me being on a high level of estradiol on evorel sequi.
Some of you may know this has gone on for months. I missed a couple of appointments, fair enough, i'm not here to say who's right and who's wrong. One, I wasn't well enough to get to the surgery. The second, an old man fell in the middle of a main road and I stopped my car and sat with him until the ambulance came because he wasn't sure why he fell and felt quite ill (he was fine in the end but I missed my appointment as I was out of town).
Anyway, that's all digression.
Last week I was due a telephone appointment. The doctor never called. I went in on monday and asked reception what happened and was told I should never have been given that appointment as it wasn't available. I had waited 3 weeks for it.
Yesterday I went back to say I had written the doctor a letter, perhaps, in view of the fact that I've now waited another 3 weeks, someone could ask a doctor to read the letter (which is on my notes) and call me.
The receptionist then pulled up my notes and proceeded to read the letter while I stood there waiting. It wasn't for her. This was a private letter between me and a doctor. She then said a doctor will most likely want to see me and it's best I wait for another appointment.
I need to talk to a doctor about a couple of things and one of those things the doctor will understand if only I could get to talk to one. Meanwhile I've had 2 different receptionists read my letter that was for a doctor. The first one who took it opened it in front of me and started reading it, then said she'd scan it and put it in my notes and I was to come back and try and get an appointment when appointments were next available.
I am not having a go at receptionists, that's not the intention, just expressing how uncomfortable this is. It's not usually legal to open or read mail addressed to someone else but most likely different with a receptionist, but my letter was addressed to my doctor. three weeks later no doctor has seen it, my appointment was null and void and I'm back to waiting on another one. One of the issues needs an immediate response now, the hrt one can wait.
Another thing bothering me is the electronic consult gives you the impression you are 'asking a doctor,' but when you submit it, reception calls and gives their opinion on what you should do (not see a doctor). It's a bit misleading if you think your communication is going to a doctor.
I don't mind being told how things are running etc, but I don't like things being misleading. On Monday a very reasonable lady was becoming really distressed at the reception desk. All she wanted was an appointment and she was told to come back when appointments become available. She said she'd been doing that and there are never any and why can she not book one now.
Just wondering on other's thoughts about my letter being opened, and read twice by 2 different receptionists. I don't remember when every issue we had was reception's business. It was never like that before.