"Please make it easier to provide 24h urine samples"

Sudden hypertension diagnosed requiring several different tests.

I found handing samples over to reception staff quite a difficult experience. Some have been helpful like suggesting a bag to cover the sample unit (24 hr urine collection) but others very unhelpful i.e. questioning in a loud voice in front of other patients about what sample it is (very clear as the 24 hr urine unit is very large and brown pot), having to make a telephone call to someone else discussing about whether to take the sample or not which could have been done afterwards, not in front of me (for 2nd sample), and then when having to do a 3rd sample (as 2nd one not accepted by lab because of labelling) still not checking the sample was correctly labelled etc. even when given a letter written by the GP.

Having to wait another week after waiting for a week for the 2nd sample has understandably caused me quite a bit of distress. Results are understandably quite a stressful thing for any patient to contend with.

On another note my GP Dr Perry is very helpful and always has been. She is very open and easy to talk to and takes the time to listen. My experience with Clare House has on the whole mainly been a good one apart from the above point.

Lastly, I have seen in other surgeries a blood pressure unit which patients can use to get a reading of their blood pressure. This is a great idea as it allows the patient to manage this themselves (within reason) and take precautionary measures before having to seek further advice from their GP. Some patients do not have the means to buy home testing kits.