I am very angry with the way I was treated by my GP and I want to complain about him. He is in a practice with other doctors and is the worst by far – he is known to be rude and uncaring and the only reason I had the misfortune to see him was because he was the only one available and I wanted some urgent advice.
I had suffered with a cold which seemed to turn into flu and then a chest infection which I could not shake off. He advised me nothing was wrong and insisted I did not have an infection. He was very off hand with me and said I was ‘blowing things out of proportion’. I insisted on a referral for an X-ray and was then diagnosed with pneumonia which required in-patient treatment.
What can I do? Will I have to disclose my name if I complain?
If you want an apology or to talk to someone in the practice about this particular GP you can proceed through the NHS Complaints procedure by contacting the practice itself.
If you think the GP’s conduct was serious enough to be a risk to patients or he is unfit to practice, then you should contact the General Medical Council. The GMC regulate all doctors and set standards against which all doctors are judged. You can ring (0845 357 0022) or write to the GMC (St James Building 79 Oxford Street Manchester M1 6FQ) stating the GP’s name and address, your complaint, any documents you may have and details of anyone who can support your complaint.
If the GMC considers your complaint is minor it may be referred back to the practice; if it is of concern, it will be investigated, considered by senior GMC staff and may proceed to a Fitness to Practice hearing. This can result in a number of actions being taken from a warning being given to ultimately the doctor being struck off.
Finally in answer to your final question, the GMC say that it is ‘difficult’ for them to investigate anonymous complaints.
If you would like some assistance with this complaint I would be happy to advise.
