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How to complain about a doctor

My mum has just been told she has emphysema but chest x rays from 2003 showed she had it but has only just been told now, when questioning the doctor about this she said it wont have made a difference an got very defensive. What action do you think we should take ..(we are not after money) we just want to make sure this doesnt happen to anyone else. my mum is worried now that she isnt going to live long and is very upset she doesnt smoke and seems in good health apart from getting tired but with two types of emphysema one hereditary the doctor also ruled this out without test as me and my sister have very low peek flow which is an indicator of emphysema now me and my sister are worried.

DONNA1458 Sat 19/07/08 10:26

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sqad617
Sat 19/07/08
10:40

Confused? Which Dr. told her that x-rays of 2003 showed that she has emphysema? Which Dr. DIDN'T tell her that she had emphysema. Who reported on the X-rays of 2003?
You say that she seems in good health and hence I cannot see the point of telling her, if that is the case, and there is no treatment for emphysema at the stage that your mother seems to be in.

Jenna1978
Sat 19/07/08
10:43

You could get some advice from the GMC as to how to go about things eg whether you should address it direct with the GP surgery or hospital (was it a GP or hospital specialist?).

It may be worth asking about the circumstances and how it happened such as was there a mistake that it wasn't spotted at X-Ray or the doctor so you have a better idea of what went wrong.

Could it be advances in screening and interpreting x-rays which mean it has only just been picked up now?

You could find out if it would have made any difference if she had known eg quality of life, medication, lifestyle choice, anticiaption of life expectantcy.

GMC - http://www.gmc-uk.org/

For you and your sister, get an appointment with your GP to discuss your concerns and make sure you have the proper tests or referrals with follow ups and repeats if necessary.

Ethel
Sat 19/07/08
11:13

If she were told in 2003 she may have been worrying she didn't have very long to live for the past five years.
As she doesn't smoke there is very little she can to improve the situation, unless she lives or works in a very polluted atmosphere.

Low peak flow is an indicator of many things - such as asthma - and is not necessarily an indication of emphysema.
Hereditary emphysema is incredibly rare.

See the GP about your own lung function and ask for referrals to a specialist.

sqad617
Sat 19/07/08
11:35

The phrase "taking a hammer to crack a nut" comes to mind here, but never mind, you are in the capable hands of Jenna1978 and Ethel. I think that says all there is to say.

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