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"My experience with a locum doctor."

About: Beaufort Medical Practice

(as the patient),

I had what I believe was the unfortunate experience of seeing a locum doctor whilst my own doctor was on holidays. This doctor - and I use the term doctor loosely - I felt bullied me, made accusations about me, accused me of doctor shopping and slandered my name. I believe I was treated like a pill popping drug addict. To say I was in shock, is an understatement. I couldn't wait to get home and lay down. The experience with this doctor brought on anxiety attacks for the following 8 days.  As a retired healthcare professional myself - I have never experienced or witnessed anything so soul destroying. In my opinion there should be more thorough background checks on locum doctors. 

More about:

Responses

Response from Vicki Poxon, Chief Executive Officer, Beaufort and Skipton Health Service

picture of Vicki Poxon

Dear Why Me

I would firstly like to commend your courage in telling us what happened to you. Our health service has zero tolerance to bullying and harassment. I have contacted the locum involved in this incident and explained how I expect all staff to behave. I have asked an external doctor to review the incident. Once the review has been completed I will contact you.

On behalf of Beaufort and Skipton Health Service I apologise that this has happened to you. Please contact me immediately on 03 53491627 if there is medical support that you require before your usual GP returns from holidays.

Kind regards,

Vicki Poxon

Chief Executive Officer.

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Update posted by Why Me (the patient)

Dear Vicki Poxon

Thank you for your response. I greatly appreciate the support I have received since posting my experience. My doctor returned from holidays today and I saw her. It was like a breath of fresh air. She is a caring, compassionate and thorough professional. I felt a lot better after seeing her. I still struggle some days with what happened to me - but as each week goes by I feel a lot better.

Thank you again for your response and concern.

Response from Vicki Poxon, Chief Executive Officer, Beaufort and Skipton Health Service We are preparing to make a change

picture of Vicki Poxon

Dear Why Me

Having a trusting relationship with your doctor who is sincere and genuinely cares about you is incredibly important to support your recovery. I know you can feel confident in confiding with your doctor about your experience and she will help you through this.

The health service has learned lessons about what happened to you. It is important that we improve our orientation process and communication pathways for locum doctors. We will also be providing feedback to the organisation who provides the locums to us.

I appreciate that you had the confidence to discuss your concerns with me. And I am available if you want to follow anything up.

Regards

Vicki

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