Question
How can I make a complaint about my GP disclosing my status?
27 August 2010. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment, Support.
Hi,
I have a question with regards to a stand-in at my GP surgery. I am currently on sick leave for depression and of course my status due to low CD4 count and high viral load.
I have to supply to the DWP sicknotes every few weeks. My normal GP normally puts on ‘infection and depression’, however I got another sick note and this was done by the stand in doctor on my sicknote he put down my status!! In large writing ‘HIV Diagnosis’. I would like to know if he had the right to put that on my sick note? The sick note is put with every other sick-note that has been issued to other patitents so each member of staff that works on reception, all 6 off them, may have seen this and the reception lady that gave it me could clearly see it.
If any other patitent was stood behind me they would have easily seen this. I have submitted a complaint to the surgery but am wondering if there is anything else I can do as this has really upset me? I have informed my HIV clinic not to send any further information to my GP.
I could not get the sick note redone as it needed to be handed in so I would be paid so now when the sick note has been passed from pillar to post at the DWP even more people will know. I had to take a photocopy of the sick note and this had to be done at a shop where the owner does it so I had to face that embrassment as well.
This really has upset me and me very angry, I would be greatful if you could offer some advice.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am really sorry to hear that your GP has disclosed your status to so many people. It really is unacceptable and he/she should have put your rights to confidentiality first.
If you do wish to make an official complaint then you can find out how to do it by following this link to the NHS complaints page.
I am also sorry that you are not feeling well. You mentioned a low CD4 count and high viral load, have you started taking HIV treatment yet? Would you like any information on treatments etc. to help you when feel more informed when you are discussing your treatment with your doctor.
You may find it useful to read the i-Base ‘Introduction to Combination Therapy‘ guidebook to start off with.
Hi Simon,
Glad to hear you are getting better. Your viral load is coming down well. Your CD4 count will take a little longer before you see changes if you only started treatment recently.
Once again, I am really sorry to hear about what you have been through. Good luck with following up the complaint and please do let us know how you get on.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
Thank you for taking the time to reply, I had a telephone call from my GP surgery from the person who handles complaints she was very unhelpful and was more interested in telling me that she was going on holiday and can’t deal with my complaint until she returns…….one thing that really annoyed me was at no time did she say sorry this happened and they are taking it serious.
When I told her I was not willing to wait until she returned from her nice holiday, she said it can be handled by my normal GP so I advised her to let him deal with it then she informed me that he is only in one day next week so he may not get chance to look at it!! This has now made me thing they ain’t taking it very serious I advised them that they have 10 days to reply as per there process.
I have started treatment althou the 1st line treatment was stopped after 3 weeks due to bad side effects that changed my mental state, the 2nd line treatment seems to be going well I have had a letter from my Consultant about how things are going and it has given me some hope I will be well again soon as my Viral load in June was 112,450 and now that has gone down to 168 althou my CD4 is still 77.
My consultant gave me a copy of your guide which has been great to read as myself and my family now have a better understanding of everything and they know/learned about the viral levels and cd4. I have now stopped all communcation being discloused to my GP surgery from my Consultant and myself and my consultant are going to meet to discuss how I can share information with my GP when it comes to requiring other medications for my depression and other illness at present.
Thank you again and I will keep you informed on how my complaint goes and what the respones is from my GP.