My GP practice tried to change my contraception – not for any clincial reason.
I complained about this and I have been threatened with being removed from the practice.
My sister is a GP and told me there are financial reasons why GPs are trying to change contraceptive options.
My GP practice is one of the biggest in the area – most women do not have access to the information I do.
I ask this question because I am in the process of seeking to clarify why my results have not been sent to my GP practice as I understood they would be.
The problem for people who are interested in keeping there records all together is that underfunding has prevented the multiple data bases as used by different hospitals from being generally (with one exception) joined up. I had to go right back to the beginning of the system cycle and apply for a further GP appointment before I could get the specific info I was looking for and I only got that because I was pushing for another referral at King’s to recover the original x-rays. The GP was actually able to take some standard measurements right there and then rather than refer me for the appointment.
You can get it if you really push for it and can give a good reason for asking-provided you can set the GP an example in finding the time. The GP service quality has got higher but because of time pressures they now limit how much time they give each patient at the practice so if your not quite sure how to say what you really need, ask for an advocate to speak on your behalf.
What this confirms is that while on the one hand patients are being encouraged to take an active interest and more responsibility for there own health the system itself is blocking them from doing so-we are in effect being left to look after ourselves more and more as the cut’s bite harder on the professionals time.
Lambeth LINk Member Terry Pike
Lambeth LINk is holding a follow up meeting to it’s well attended “Giving Us a Voice” meeting on Jan 12. To read the feedback from the meeting, which is interesting and reflects the views of local people on the effects of the spending cuts, then go to our website: www.lambethlink.org.uk
Our next public meeting: “What’s the Future for Health and Social Care?” takes place on January 31, 5.30pm to 8.30pm at the Karibu Education Centre, 7 Gresham Road, Brixton, SW9 7PH.
Speakers: Cllr Jim Dickson, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing: “Spending Cuts: Lambeth Council’s Budget Proposals for 2011/12″ and Caroline Hewitt, Chair of NHS Lambeth: “Changes in the NHS”.
There will be chance to ask questions after the speakers.
Get there early to guarantee yourself a seat as this meeting on the effects of the sweeping spending cuts will be very popular and the venue has limited capacity.
Give the LINK Team a call on 020 7274 8522 for further info.
See you there!
Lambeth LINk Public Meeting jointly organised with DASL/People First Lambeth/Vital Link/Age UK Lambeth.
“Giving Us a Voice” – Voicing the effects of the Health and Social Care cuts.
Speakers to be confirmed.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
11.30am to 2.30pm
Karibu Education Centre, 7 Gresham Road, Brixton, SW9 7PH
Keep an eye out on the blog for further information and confirmed speakers.
You are invited to a LINk (Local Involvement Network) meeting organised by LINk Southwark and Lambeth LINk to discuss and together formulate a response to the Coalition Government’s Health White Paper, “Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS”.
The White Paper Key Proposals are to:
For further information on the White Paper visit the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/LiberatingtheNHS/index.htm
These proposals will have a huge impact on health and social care services in our boroughs and in the future of your LINk.
Join us and make sure you get your voice heard now!
Thursday, 30 September 2010, 10.30am – 2pm at Lambeth ACCORD, 336 Brixton Road, London, SW9 7AA.
Refreshments will be provided.
Contact Lambeth LINk Team on 020 7274 8522 or email:info@lambethlink.org.uk
Lambeth LINk and Link Southwalk have now responded to the white paper, for further information, click here.
Have you got something to say about local and national health and social care issues? Then why not get your views across by becoming a Lambeth LINk health and social care blogger.
We are looking for Lambeth residents or people who work in Lambeth organisations to become regular bloggers for our new blog.
Find out more by telephoning: Jeanette Threadgold, Lambeth LINk Information Officer on 020 7274 8522 or email: j.threadgold@aclambeth.org.uk
Hi All
The Lambeth LINk newsletter which is jam packed full of interesting info on local and national health and social care issues is now available.
You can read or download a copy from our website. www.lambethlink.org.uk
Happy Reading!
Jeanette, LINK Information Officer
Lambeth LINk in collaboration with Lambeth Council is giving local people and organisations a chance to have their say on their council’s proposals on developing co-operative approaches at a Public Meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 22, 5.30pm to 8pm at the Benn Library, South London YMCA, Stockwell Road.
Speakers Cllr Steve Reed, Leader of Lambeth Council and Chair of the Co-operative Council Citizen’s Commission, and Cllr Paul McGlone, Co-operative Council Citizens’ Commissioner, will explain the vision of how a co-operative council will work as set out in the draft policy proposal “The Co-operative Council: A new settlement between citizens and public service delivery.”
The second part of the Public Meeting, is where Lambeth residents and people who work in local organisations come in. We will be holding themed workshops which will give you a chance to have a say on the proposals.
For further information contact Jeanette Threadgold, Information and Communications Officer, Lambeth LINk on tel no: 020 7274 8522 or email: j.threadgold@aclambeth.org.uk