Annual Check-ups

When my annual blood test results are available on the app, I go through the whole set of results carefully. Twice in recent years the GP supposedly ‘reviewing’ the results has missed changes in my thyroid function that actually required changes in my medication. In both cases I had to contact the surgery to have the situation rectified. Totally and completely unacceptable. And don’t get me started on the serious errors in post clinic appointment letters and hospital discharge letters.

Doodledog, I have the same problem with errors after my annual review. As you say, answers to questions are assumed and boxes are ticked which claim I've had certain information. I'm not so bothered about the information, but I am bothered about my smoking status, weight, exercise and a couple of other things. I go through the record every year and send in the corrections. They do get corrected, but it does get a bit tedious.

Gin

The hospital (rheumatology) requested my surgery check my vitamin B level. Whilst taking the blood I remarked that I had not had my under active thyroid checked for a while. She checked and it was five years ago. She then berated me for not getting it done. In the past, I was called in, now it is my responsibility, fine but it would have been nice to be told.

No MOT since joining this practice eight years ago. I do get a call about an asthma review but that is quite pointless, how can you check a person’s breathing over the phone?

I agree about asthma reviews. I get them, and mostly they are pointless. I’ve been using inhalers since before most of the nurses were born, and my ‘technique’ won’t have changed since my last appointment. Every now and then, however, a new drug has been made available, and the review gives me a chance to make an appointment with a GP if the nurse thinks it necessary.

What I don’t like about reviews is that I can see all my records online, and often the reviews tick boxes in error. They assume answers to questions that were never asked, presumably to save time.

I don’t think our surgery knows what texts are, ButterandJam! It’s weird how their use of technology is minimal because most of the staff are quite young, 50 and under, I’d say. You’d think they’d want to use it.

There were no check ups at our previous surgery in a different area, either.

The hospital (rheumatology) requested my surgery check my vitamin B level. Whilst taking the blood I remarked that I had not had my under active thyroid checked for a while. She checked and it was five years ago. She then berated me for not getting it done. In the past, I was called in, now it is my responsibility, fine but it would have been nice to be told.

No MOT since joining this practice eight years ago. I do get a call about an asthma review but that is quite pointless, how can you check a person’s breathing over the phone?

Im on medication and have been for years. No one ever calls me to have a check up or reviews what im taking. I've not seen anyone from cardio unit since first put on meds for heart issue nearly 6 years ago. I feel neglected!!🙄

mum2three

I am in my late 70s and for the past few years I have been called in for annual MOTs. Weight and blood pressure are taken, plus a blood sample.
Fine, I don't have a problem with that apart from the fact that they keep pressuring me to take statins.
Now, however, because I'm taking 3 different medications, I've been called in for three separate checks. They do the same tests and ask the same questions. This just doesn't make any sense to me.
Do the rest of you get called in as frequently, or this a sign of a badly run practise?

maybe one/some of your medications are the kind that require a blood test more often than once a year? Checking meds effect on kidney or liver function etc.

SueDonim

No annual health checks here. We don’t even have the NHS app in Scotland. I get called now and then to have my thyroxine levels checked but it’s just a blood test, nothing else is measured.

I've had annual checkups for 20 years, across two different Scottish health boards. BP, 2 bloods, weight, urine, results come by text.

I’m 81 and have never had any check ups but I’m not on any medication and certainly don’t want checking. They would undoubtedly find something which ticks the boxes for funding and adds to the drug companies’ profits.

I'm 75. Since joining this practice 10 years back I have been called in for an annual health check with a nurse. I have full bloods taken and a doctor will have looked over the results before me seeing the nurse. She makes sure I am happy with my inhaler and know how to use it properly and weight, blood pressure, etc is taken. This is because unfortunately I am in multiple drugs. Once a year the pharmacist attached to the doctors surgery rings me and foes I've all the medications I'm on. Makes sure I know what they are for, how to take them and asks if I have any side effects or questions I wish to ask. He has slightly adjusted some medications if I have had problems. I'm very grateful for these checks,

No annual health checks here. We don’t even have the NHS app in Scotland. I get called now and then to have my thyroxine levels checked but it’s just a blood test, nothing else is measured.

We have been having annual health checks, similar to Georgesgran. Ours are done by very 'human' HCA. By that i mean they chat and pass comments about some of the seemingly daft questions and answers about how much we dri know and whether we have a healthy diet etc.

We then get follow ups with the GP for any results that indicate it might be needed.

81 and never been called for a check up, and been with my surgery 50 years I have absolutely no problems with my surgery, in fact they are brilliant, I always get a same day
appointment if I need one by doing it ‘the email on the day’ way.

My friend was at the gp for something entirely different, and the gp decided to just do a general little health check, which revealed she has leukemia. (Eventually, after much pushing from her for the blood results)

I think things seem to be changing st our practice, and not for the better. DH takes statins snd has always had an annual review, this year they didn’t send for him, when I enquired they said because his levels were ok last time he wouldn’t need to be reviewed for five years ! At 73 I think that’s far too long.
I take BP medication, they called me for my annual review, it was a complete waste of time, the nurse asked me if I’d taken my own BP lately when I said yes she asked me what the reading was, and said “ that's good I don’t need do it again” She also referred to the computer as “ it “ and when she asked if I had any hobbies “it “ said I was inactive, she then said never mind, took some blood for testing and sent me on my way.

My partner went to the surgery today to pick up his blood thinners and was told they weren’t ready because he needed a medication review which they had texted to him. There was no text. Review or not they still can’t withhold anything that has to be taken every day. He’s just gone back to see if they’ve been done. His repeat prescription is never ready. When I was on iron tablets my prescription was never ready. We both said each time we go there we know we’ll have to go back. I just don’t understand what has happened to the place.

I have an asthma review annually as well as a medication review although both are done by phone call………quite how they can assess correct use of an inhaler by telephone just amazes me 🤔………unless it’s a receptionist doing the assessing because we all know many of them are so much cleverer than a nurse practitioner or a doctor!

It’s 70 at my surgery Basgett so you’ve quite a wait! Obviously, you should make an appointment yourself if something concerns you. It’s just a blood test, blood pressure taken, weight and height measured, then I opt for the results by phone and of course, in due course, they’re on my NHS app. The results usually include questions about diet, alcohol, smoking and lifestyle, asked by the nurse who is half my age and twice my size!

It would seem from this thread that other GP practices have different systems. My hypochondriac friend has been demanding her checks - she calls them MOTs 2x a year for at least the past 10 years - she has health anxiety!

I get one every year but i have meds for diabetes so blood tests, weight, BP checked every time.

I thought there was a ‘Well Woman’ check, started at 60, and if no issues, another one every 5 years.

The re are two types of checks up being referred to on her e- the annual review if you're on long term medication regardless of age and the annual health check for over 75s which you have to ask the surgery for but I believe you are entitled to.

I’m 75 this Friday and have never been called for a check up.

Sadgrandma

I think you are lucky to get an annual check ups, they are being very careful to check that your new medication is not having an adverse effect.
I had a heart attack three years ago but never get called for a check up!

Im sorry but I don't agree that the OP is lucky to get an annual check up. It's basic health care when you're on long term medications. It's the least she can expect. What she can also expect is that the surgery uses its software to roll up her check ups into one annual blood test. The surgery is also abusing its funding (ie our money) by not so doing

I get annual checks, and the surgery rolls them into my B12 appointments, which are quarterly. The annual checks are thorough - from memory they check for thyroid problems, cholesterol, diabetes, and do a full blood count and liver function test. They also take blood pressure readings, and check peak breathing and oxygen saturation. When I was younger they checked for menopause too, but that ship sailed some time ago.

What age did they begin inviting you all, please? Relative spring chicken at 62 but have never been invited.