After a conversation with my mum on Mothers Day, I mentioned I was a bit worried about not having received anything from the hospy. Last time I got everything at 10 wks. Am now just over 11 wks, and no appt or anything. Rang GP - they had no record, but I figured that might have been airhead reception. Rang antenatal. They said Nope, nothing. They recommended I get on it straight away as they are full except for catchment area mums for November - which I am.
So I panicked.
Was put through to hospy's Midwife-GP liaison, who said she would follow it up, but to give GP a call. Fine, no worries. I assume that by follow it up, she means that she will talk to GP about sending referrals a little earlier.
Rang GP's office. She's not working today, says receptionist casually. So I say "This needs to be done TODAY." Get them to leave a message for another doc to do it, and mention that I will take it to complaints commission if it doesn't (this might have been a bit of over-reaction, but seriously, I cannot understate how apathetic this receptionist was)
So GP rings me at home, on her day off, and leaves a message saying she doesn't know what the problem is, that she will send referral after my NT scan.
So, seeing as I won't miss out on getting in to chosen hospital, have I overreacted? Antenatal went so far as to suggest I see a different GP (which I won't, I love her, but I think she dropped the ball here a little) I feel caught in the middle a bit.
Partly I'm embarrassed for causing a storm in a teacup, and partly I feel awesome for not being meek and just assuming that doctor is always right.
I don't think you are over reacting at all. What a scary moment for you! I think your GP did drop the ball, otherwise why would she ring you on her day off? I think you did the right thing to try and get to the bottom of it today.
No you are not overreacting I have always booked early, as soon as I have found out. About 5 weeks except for this time when I found out later. If the hospital suggested you get a referral from someone else you may want to think about it.
you did the right thing babe. GP should be putting in referrals immediately. not after the NT scan (which is not even a 'compulsory' scan in terms of the public hospy system IYKWIM...so a bit strange that she would want to wait...). i would hazard that she dropped the ball and lodging the referral was forgotten about. this happened a few weeks ago to a girl in my MGs and it caused a few weeks of worry to see if she would get in or not. not the nicest way to start this great journey!
Last edited by Cassius2; May 12th, 2010 at 08:13 PM.
My first thoguht was that she forgot too - I have left every appt with so much paperwork for bloods and scans etc that it's entirely possible. And apart from that minor detail, I cannot fault her care.
She said in her phone call that she "usually send them off after 12 weeks" but based on past experience, 100% of the time she sends them at 8 wks!
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