"Serious concerns about the doctor's attitude."

I was called to a consultation with the rheumatology clinic on 3 March 2016. I told the specialist nurse that my knee was swollen, it was difficult to walk, and I thought perhaps the arthritis had spread to the knee. She said that I should get an X-ray, but she could not authorise an X-ray because she was not a doctor. The nurse said that they would “wait outside the door” of the doctor, and ask the doctor to authorise an X-ray.

I waited in the consulting room., the doctor burst in a few minutes later. The doctor was not happy., they said something about a 15-minute consultation period and was clearly angry about the nurse asking them to authorise an X-ray. I don’t need an X-ray to diagnose arthritis the doctor said. I asked the doctor how the symptoms could be properly diagnosed without an X-ray. If you don’t like it, the doctor said,

I will send you back to your GP.

I felt really bad. I left the clinic with a swollen and painful knee, without a diagnosis, without advice, and feeling upset at the doctor’s unprofessional attitude and anxious about how to deal with this very painful knee.

I do not think that the doctor's approach to the situation was good. I can see no reason why they were so angry. I now need to get treatment!

I decided that I shall write to Minerva Clinic to ask for its diagnosis of this very painful knee and, if Minerva Clinic cannot tell me what is wrong and prescribe suitable treatment, then I shall make a formal complaint.

I should add that I find the nurses at the clinic really good and helpful. I have attended over the past 2 years for blood tests.

There has not been a single occasion when the nurses have not been excellent. My experience on 3 March 2016 was very embarrassing and disappointing. I have never seen a doctor behave in this way.