A boy who was suffering acute appendicitis was refused several GP appointments in York.
When his frantic parents threatened to go to A&E, the youngster was finally seen by a doctor – and got a belated diagnosis.
But by then the agonising and potentially life-threatening condition had worsened, the appendix burst, and the child needed emergency surgery.
This nightmare experience was revealed in a new report by Healthwatch York.
It has surveyed more than 1,300 York people about their experiences with GP services.
And one of those questioned revealed how GP delays ended in their child suffering “multiple health issues”.
“I was told my son had eaten something funny, but he had appendicitis,” they told the York research team.
“I phoned four days in a row, being told maybe it’s a sickness bug. I was refused appointments day after day.
“When I said I’ll take him to A&E an appointment became available.
“Unfortunately, it was too late, the appendix burst, emergency surgery needed, peritonitis, sepsis and nearly three years on he has multiple health issues.”
All those who took part in the research did so anonymously, so we don’t know which city GP practice was involved.
But it was not an isolated incident. Other Healthwatch York contributors told them this:
- “They failed to refer me for tests with a lump in my neck for months, it finally was diagnosed as cancer.”
- “Medical negligence, prescribed gabapentin when trying to conceive and had a miscarriage.”
- “I was seen by a nurse practitioner at the beginning of lockdown and diagnosed as having acid reflux. Two months later I had a stent after suffering a heart attack.”
Under significant pressure
The Healthwatch York report said that GP services are “under significant pressure”.
Local GPs shared their concerns in a report last winter, Protect and Recover.
“This report, based on data from many of York’s practices, outlines concerns about the increasing demand for urgent care, which leads to further delays in essential routine care that supports people to manage long term health conditions,” says Healthwatch York.
Despite the stresses on the system, many people reported good clinical care, the report says.
Positive comments included these:
- “I have a chronic condition and the GP practice are always very responsive when I seek help. They are also very efficient at organising my repeat prescriptions when I request them.”
- “We have found the care co-ordinator and social prescribing services extremely helpful in assisting us to cope with my wife’s dementia.”
- “At a recent appointment, I was given over 20 minutes to discuss my health needs which was so good – I felt heard, and able to develop some self-care strategies.”
You can read the full Healthwatch York report here.