Dear LPG,

I recently saw a television documentary about the lack of adequate medical facilities in our country, and then I read the LPG news post of 10^th April this year, which you have called ‘Video Doctors’, with interest, but I struggle to use the Internet when I am ill, and was really disappointed to find out about the cost of that service.   

In late January this year I suffered a really nasty bout of ‘flu, or in my humble estimation, a really severe cold and an exceptionally high temperature.  I know that it has been said before, but I suspected it was most probably made worse because I had returned from a holiday in the West Indies just a week before.

 I spent a couple of days barely aware of my surroundings, and only leaving my bed to prepare myself hot lemon and honey-based drinks, taking Paracetamol and similar medicines, but felt really bad and, to make things worse, on day three, I began to have palpitations and problems which left me fighting for, and having extreme difficulty, in catching my breath.   On that day I really felt low and did not know what to do. My awareness of time became practically non-existent but I remember the telephone ringing twice.  I talked to a neighbour and also a friend who I was expecting to visit and they both advised me to call my doctor.  I told each of them that I had  tried to call the doctor in the recent past and spent the best part of an hour just waiting for an answer; I did not feel capable of managing that and told each caller.  They both suggested that I call 111.

I did that and was put through to someone who told me that they would put me through to a doctor.  I explained that I was ill and felt unable to leave my house in the light of my illness and also the high winds and extreme cold weather.  I waited a bit and after answering a few questions, it was suggested that I go and see my doctor.  I reminded the person that I was speaking to, that I felt unable to do that and the only other suggestion I was offered was that I should go to Lewisham hospital  or ring back if I did not feel better in a couple of hours. Even when I was well I had problems understanding what service and constructive advice I had been offered.

Now that I feel better, I have had time to really analyse the advice I was given and I feel that their advice and attitude was an insult to my intelligence.  I am no medical expert which is why I was lead to expect that paying national insurance would protect me when I felt ill.  Why does the NHS now expect you to diagnose yourself when you are ill and least equipped to do so?

I am one of the many pensioners who live alone and expect more for the money that I paid for this service.  It appears to me that we are suffering because of the NHS’s badly managed administration over the years, which is not acceptable. 

 PS, Catford