"It is not the quality of care I would expect"

I started experiencing debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms while at work. I regularly would have diarrhoea and intense stomach pain / churning before going to important meetings. After lots of testing I was diagnosed with IBS. 

The symptoms I was experiencing had a very negative effect on my quality of life - 7 months later and very little has changed. Though my GP was great when I met with them and spoke with them - it was almost impossible to get an appointment. When I asked the practice for an appointment to discuss the impact on my mental health, I was told that I could not be put on antidepressants in case they made my stomach symptoms worse. At that point hardest part about coping was the intense anxiety I was feeling about my stomach and the symptoms. I was instead told to go to a community mental health drop-in. I work full time 9-5 Mon-Fri, I was paired with a social worked who could only meet me during the work day. I already pay for private counselling (and had been for a year prior to this because I have generalised anxiety disorder).

No follow ups or check ins were arranged with my GP. I discovered by looking through the Guts charity website that it was my right to request regular check-ups with the GP to check in on the progress of my IBS and any change in symptoms. I have been on medication since September (low does anti-depressants that are used to help IBS symptoms). I have not had a single check in about the efficiency of this treatment - it has made the smallest difference.

I was referred to a dietician and received no communication from them for 6 months, when I phoned the GP I learned that a letter was sent in December (that I did not receive) with a video to watch and the advice was if my symptoms improved after watching the video not to contact the dieticians and they would remove me from their waiting list.

7 months after the first appointment, I have received the letter from the dietician. I watched the video and the advice was basic, patronising and what I already received both verbally and written from my GP. My GP actually would not refer me to a dietician until I confirmed that I had read the advice on the NHS page about IBS diets (which this video seemed to just recap). I have been brought to tears watching this video, knowing that I have waited 7 months to see this video and now I need to print off a form and send a letter to the dietician to inform them I have been following this very basic diet advice (e.g. eat three meals a day, chew slowly, limit caffeine intake, drink 1.5-3L of non caffeinated fluids a day, do not eat more than 3 portions of fruit if you experience diarrhoea) to then be kept on the waiting list to actually see and speak to a dietician instead of watching a video. 

My quality of life has been diminished the past 7 months. I am fatigued, disappointed and I feel defeated. I now pay for two counselling sessions and 4 hypnotherapy sessions a month, privately, to try to help me feel some semblance of the life I had. My GP practice is clearly under resourced and though the GPs are trying their best, it is not the quality of care I would expect, nor is it reflective of the quality of care I have had at other practices in Scotland.

It's clear to me that the doctors want to help, but only in the quickest way they can. It feels like more of a signposting service than anything else. I have met with one GP several times, who never seems to remember that we have met previously in person (always re-introduces themselves to me). I am terrified of calling the practice because as soon as I give my date of birth, there is one specific member of staff who knows it is me from my date of birth and speaks in a tone of oh god it's you again - so even when I am ill outside of the IBS I put off calling the GP for the fear of speaking to that member of staff (to the point where I had suffered from a UTI for months after the pharmacist told me to get in touch with the GP because I was so worried about having to speak to that specific member of staff).

This whole saga has made me feel so disappointed with the service I have received, has made me feel that my experience is not bad enough to warrant a good level of care and consequently has further diminished my quality of life - which has a knock on effect on my relationships, work and social life. 

Appointments

Keeping in touch

Waiting time

Seeing the whole me

Staff attitude

Being given time

Being listened to

Other staff

Doctor