I would like to know if N.H.S G.P can keep a very elderly patients condition secret?

Question

I am 82yrs old.Have widespread Arthritis.In recent months I have had a colonostomey.Severe Diviticulitis diagnosed. Since then I have had much bloating of my stomach. I think I need an investigation of my stomach. G.P. gives anti spasmodic capsules. Is he refusing to take matters futher because of restraint in caring for the very elderly

Answer 1

You could/should also go and see your MP and Citizen's Advice Bureau. You should not be discriminated against because of your age (young or old). Did he specifically cite your age as a reason? I think you may have grounds to take this further.

It may also be worth returning to your GP and asking for specific answers to the following:

1. What is his diagnosis of your condition?
2. Is there other treatment available or further investigation available that he has not looked into?
3. Is he refusing to provide further treatment because of your age (it doesn't matter if he denies this now as he has said it before)?
4. What NHS policy does this relate to?

Ask to have a copy of any directives he has been given which say that he cannot treat or investigate further because of your age (ask him or your primary care trust to provide this under the Freedom of Information Act).

I find this very alarming. My Grandmother is close to your age and the idea that she could be refused treatment due to her age makes me feel physically sick.

In answer to your main question, I honestly don't know but going by what you are saying, he doesn't sound very helpful at all.

Good luck with this. I hope you feel better soon and please take this further for the sake of both yourself and other people who may be denied treatment/investigation on the grounds of their age.

Answer 2

Diverticulitis, is usually a mild condition that can be cured by rest and a change in eating habits. In more severe cases surgery is required and this could be a bowel resection with colostomy. I assume this is what you mean when you say you have had a colonostomey. This surgery may be necessary if you have so much inflammation in your colon that it's not possible to rejoin your colon and rectum. During a colostomy, your surgeon makes an opening (stoma) in your abdominal wall. The unaffected part of your colon is then connected to the stoma, and waste passes through the opening into a bag. A colostomy may be temporary or permanent. Several months later — once the inflammation has healed — your surgeon may be able to perform a second operation to reconnect your colon and rectum. Assuming this is what has happened to you, are you not still attending the hospital for post-op checkups? The surgeon would be the person to contact if your condition has worsened. Either that or your stoma nurse.

If you haven't had the surgery and you meant that you had had a colonoscopy, which is a camera being passed up the rectum to allow the doctor to see what is going on, then press your GP for the results and ask him if you are to be referred to a gastroenterologist, and if not, why not?

Finally, be sure in your own mind that you wish to know exactly what your prognosis is. Sometimes there are no cures.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I totally agree with Rats.Age should have nothing to do with your treatment, but as a nurse I know this kind of behaviour by GPs goes on. The bloating of your stomach is probably being caused by your diviticulitus, which can be an extremely debilitating condition. However, you have the right to be refered to a colo-rectal surgeon for further investigation. It may be that any further treatment or surgery may be limited due to your arthritis, but that will be for the surgeon to decide. If you have further probems with your gp, go to your local health board or local mp. If he has actually mentioned your age, then you should take matters further. The very idea that you are on yahoo answers, shows what an active and valued member of society you really are. Good luck.

Answer 4

The doctor cannot withhold the diagnosis if you ask though some still might if they think that patient will react badly. As others have said there is no reason to restrict treatment of you at 82. Definitely ask to be referred either to a specialist or another GP.

But do not rule out that antispasmodics are the correct treatment!

In the end you could always change your GP. You have that right.

Answer 5

It sounds like he is just trying to prevent you from a series of unpleasant tests. If you are adamant you wish to be seen for your stomach problems, then address the matter with him, and ask him why he's not referred you through. It may be he doesn't think your condition warrants investigation (not everyone with bloating can be scoped, or have a radiological procedure) and may well be not related to your age in anyway, as it is not the GP's decision alone to not refer if yourself as the patient meets certain criteria to be referred.

Answer 6

It truly is a sad state of affairs when a persons age discriminates them from the treatment and care they should receive. I'd try to see another doctor in your practise or insist you have further investigative tests. If you have a family member with you this can sometimes help,that or go to the A+E dept and see a doctor there

Answer 7

Talk to your G.P and ask why he wont take matters further he may feel that the benefits if any are not worth the discomfort of the test their comes a point in life for everyone at any age when you must stop the test and learn to live your life with any conditions that you have their are not cures for everything

Answer 8

He can not with hold your diagnosis from you. To do so would be unethical. Go into the web sites for the company that you buy your ostomy products from, they have lots advice on diet for colostomy, use that and the guidelines for avoiding flare ups of the diverticulitis to help settle down the symptoms. Try and use natural laxatives like fruit lax to keep your bowels moving.

Answer 9

One possible, though extreme legal route is to appoint somebody else temporarily as attorney for your health. The G.P.would then be obliged to share with them all medical details. The downside is that this person would then have full control over all medical decisions on your behalf until the power of attorney expires.

Answer 10

Ask to see a specialist or at least another GP for a second opinion. Write to the Newspapers about it and write to your MP.