Hi everyone

I had a letter form my surgery today to invite me for a review of my general health and medications. It said although I'm being reviewed at the hospital it is equally important to be followed up at the surgery.

Has anyone else had this?

At first I thought, not another bloody appt to worry about but then I was thinking about the treatment from my Onc etc and how low that got me and maybe I would feel more confident talking to him about it and he could word a letter/email for me? I don't seem to find the confidence to approach the hospital direct and also they may not be as dismissive if it comes from my GP, just a thought xxxx

If you are taking any medication it is customary to have an annual review. This consists of blood-pressure test, a general chat and a blood test. This usually appears at the foot of your prescription form saying something like: Review 10/8/12. They expect you to make an appointment but if you don't then they will contact you by letter. It's worthwhile as the GP see you as a person not a disease.

Best wishes,

KateG

Hi Kate, only on chemo and the meds they give me for that. I have just booked an appointment anyway as like you said, I think I will be seen more as a person and I can perhaps talk about my mental health a bit. I was thinking of asking about medication to help with this. I do have some counselling booked though in a few weeks so hoping this may help. Thanks for the reply xxx

Hi Annie

If its like my surgery if you are on regular prescriptions from the surgery (even if they are ones that were origianally from the hospital) then the GP has to see you once a year for a review. Not sure if this is law or something but think it is a common practice. At my surgery if they dont see you for a review they wont give you the prescription until they do. Each of our prescriptions has a review date on them.

Our practice nurse also does medication and health reviews.

Hope this helps

Sue x

Hey Annie,

I got a phone call the other day from my GP. He was making, what I would call, a courtesy call. I was well impressed. He basically said that although they are now taking a little step back, whilst the oncologist is taking centre stage, he wanted to remind me that they are always still there for me. 

I felt very reassured to have been told that. Thing is, he is right, and when you maybe get a better oncologist, like you did last time round, then just maybe this would be good to discuss with your GP. That way it doesn't get personal, and you don't need to worry that you have to do this on your own. 

So, I would go and make an appointment and talk things over! 

Dorothee xx

I think using your GP appointment to talk about concerns you have like your mental state, or unhappiness over any aspect of your treatment, is a great idea.  I spoke to my GP about issues I'd had with my hospital and she was great.  Said she would speak to the hospital directly if I wanted her to if I had any further issues in future.  They often have a relationship with the hospital and can also be there as another line of defence.  I didn't have a named GP before (just used to see whoever came up), but having a GP you feel listens to you and is on your side is fantastic.  Unfortunately, mine only works at the surgery one day a week.   So you can have any day as long as it's Tuesday.  :)

Hey Annie, I think you just have a good GP who is keeping on top of things.

I too had a personal phone call from my GP a couple of weeks after my diagnosis, and he said I am still his patient as well and if I needed anything only to call and he would see me or call me back asap. I was very impressed and re-assured. He was helpful with urgent Omeprazole over the phone after first FEC and I saw him this week to prepare for tax as I didn't have an onc appt.

A good opportunity to deal with you as a person, not just a cancer patient. Use it well!

Clare xx