Peverell Park Surgery

Peverell Park Surgery 2021-07-22 Person 1 5 0

I was a patient here from 2016-2019 as a student. I cannot fault either Dr Dunne or Dr Rowland: the former helped me to get diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, and the latter saved me from a couple of crises. Also top hats to Tracey the phlebotomist. However, the others just didn't appear to understand EDS or the implications that come with it. In 2018, I had a very serious problem with my shoulder; I spoke to multiple GPs, on one instance even pleading and being reduced to tears and denied an examination, and was refused a referral to orthopaedics. Well, my consultant took one look at me and referred me to the orthopaedic surgeon, who immediately booked me in for surgery. There were so many other issues too: I was patronised, denied, and dismissed multiple times, made to feel like a nuisance. An important medication prescription was messed up several times; despite numerous complaints and having "receipts", I was still made to feel like it was my fault. This was confounded by an incredibly rude receptionist; I could almost hear her agitation any time i dared to ask for help. Towards the end of my time at uni, this made me extremely reluctant to ask for help whenever I felt things going sour, and I'd have to contact my consultant instead. Well, I have since moved away, ran for the hills, and registered with a wonderful GP. I feel relaxed, I'm healthier than ever, the GPs read up and ask around if they're not sure about EDS, the receptionists make me feel welcome, and I never feel like I'm bothering them. Why do I feel compelled to write this two years after escaping? Simply because my GP surgery has guided me through a rough patch; it has taken an awfully long time, but being with my "new" surgery has restored my trust in GPs. It made me realise just how awfully I used to be treated, quite frankly. Medical gaslighting leads to trauma and I would hate for anyone else to go through it.

I sincerely hope that this surgery has improved. The GP surgery could have improved by admitting when they don't know something. Listen to your patients, especially if they are pleading and desperate for help. Receptionists shouldn't be trying to give out medical advice, nor should they be barriers to medical care.