When you’ve had a negative experience with your GP it can be a difficult time. If you head to your GP, you expect to have full trust that a medical professional will offer you the most appropriate advice and action. But when this goes wrong, you still have options to tackle the issue. Below, we explore what to do if you’re dissatisfied with your GP.
Why you might be dissatisfied
There are many reasons why you might be dissatisfied with your GP. For a start, you might be frustrated that you can’t get an appointment – you should be able to see a GP within 48 hours if you have an urgent medical problem. Another reason could be that you were given an incorrect diagnosis or incorrect treatment. This can include a GP waiting an unreasonably long time to give you test results or delaying treatment. Dissatisfaction can also emerge if your GP breaks patient confidentiality or discriminates against you.
Make notes of your experiences
If you are dissatisfied with your GP, there are actions you can take. The first step is to make notes of your experiences in order to gather evidence. This includes all your calls, appointments, alongside all the corresponding dates and times. You should make notes of these conversations and any evidence of your experience with your GP during this time.
Obtain a copy of your medical records
You should obtain a copy of your medical records during this process. This will form a key part of the evidence you gather – you can clearly detail any mistakes your GP has made through your records. You can gather a copy of your medical records by making an online request or by contacting your GP.
Make a GP negligence claim
If you’re dissatisfied and have gathered the correct evidence, then you could make a GP negligence claimto earn compensation. You can make a claim when you feel a GP’s negligence has caused you harm or worsened a medical condition. The best way to do this is by contacting experienced professionals for advice and guidance during the case. From there, lawyers will walk you through the case and try and win compensation on your behalf. Usually, cases are taken on a no-win, no-fee basis and as long as you stay within the time limit for making a claim, you could have a good chance of winning.
It can be an overwhelming time when you feel as though a GP has been negligent. However, by carefully noting down your experience and enlisting the help of professionals, you can begin to focus on recovery and potentially win compensation.
