Bloody GP's

[Sandman]

Today I had an HSE diving medical but the doctor could not give me the rubber stamp until I had a form signed by my GP confirming I did not have diabetes, heart surgey, pregnancy etc.

I head straight down to my GP and speak to the receptionist who says:

"There is a charge for a driving medical"

I say "I don't need a medical I just need the doctor to confirm the boxes I have ticked on the form and then sign it"

She says "But if you want to be a taxi driver you need a medical"

I say "I don't want to be a taxi driver, the form clearly states DIVING and no medical examination is required"

She then gets on the phone to someone higher up the food chain and says "We don't do diving medicals"

I say "I don't need a medical, I've just had one, I just need the doctor to confirm my medical history"

She says "OK, when did you last see your GP then"

I say "I've never seen him, my last GP died and my records were transferred to this one about ten years ago and I've never needed to see him because I am fit and well"

She then says " He won't sign anything if he's never seen you and has no knowledge of your medical history"

By now I'm about ready to explode but hold back and say "He doesn't need to see me, all he has to do is compare this form against my medical records and then sign it"

She says "I don't understand what you want, can you phone up on friday and speak to someone else and if he will sign it you will be charged for it, but I don't think he'll sign it because we don't do diving medicals"

At this point I give up and leave.

I then phone up the HSE diving doctor and he won't take my medical any further without a signature from the GP.

So now I have to wait until friday to be told by some other muppet that they don't do diving medicals.

Is it any wonder the NHS is in such a mess.

Not happy

[CotoChris]

Sounds like a soap opera! What a mess.

[ding]

It sounded like u were on the phone to NTL. You here a voice but its not connected to a brain, It really anoying....

PS Are you the sandman on conger alley?

[Mary]

OK she's a muppet!

I would have least looked at your records and said I have no KNOWLEDGE of you having these conditions (having not personally seen you or investigated you for them) however do consider that a scary number of notes get lost on transfer between GPs surgerys so there is the chance that your GP not have them.

Another consideration is that your GP is only contracted to you for NHS work and stuff like this that falls outside this remit he may (and is entitled to) charge you for.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Mary

however do consider that a scary number of notes get lost on transfer between GPs surgerys so there is the chance that you GP not have them.

Funny, I was discussing this the other day and we came to the conclusion that that soneage man they found in the alps (Uzi?), who as it turned out had his medical records tattooed on his skin, had a damn good idea. Loss of medical records seems to have been a problem for a very loooong time!


Cheers, Paul

PS have you got a breather yet? or are you still using those pink tins?

[Scubee]

Wow... is this another change to HSE medical requirements? There were some changes when i went for my last one (March), but I wasn't asked for any confirmation of these things then.

I know that my GP would charge me for signing a form like that, I had to get one doen before I could even start a course in the first place, but he was quite happy to do it. He was also really good when I needed to change medication so that I could pass an HSE. I guess I am lucky with the surgery I have.

[Mary]

Originally Posted by Foggy

PS have you got a breather yet? or are you still using those pink tins?

YBOD since May this year , the Pink ones are still sitting in the cupboard under the stairs not got round to being sold yet and now being considerd as a trimix bank for the dil cylinder......

Now just trying to think up the artwork to go on my yellow case....

[Buoyant Babe]

Bummer - do you want the number of my Doctor's surgery for future reference? They are very helpful.

Oh hang on Simon, I've met you...you do need to be certified by a proper doctor

[purple vonny]

GP rant

I have just been relieved of 23 quid for a tick in a box and a signature.

[Janos]

Change doctors if you can.

Janos