Doctors's Diagnosis

[albignoni]

I attended a surgery for years where the senior practioner was also my doctor.

After many appointments over a long time he diagnosed depression.

I believe then and now that this is not right, I feel my condition is more to do with CFG (chronic fatigue syndrome).

If I seek a second opinion does it have to be at the same practice and will the new doctor have to consult or refer to the notes of the original doctor?

If it is best to register with a new doctor then this doctor will have to request my medical history notes anyway.

What to do....any advice.

Thanks

[ubasses]

your records are now on line available to any Dr or hospital within your NHS trust. There is nothing to stop you seeing another within your practice but if you do not feel comfortable see if you can find out when he is away and book an appointment then.

[bednobs]

you can register with a new practice if you want, but you will have to deregister with the old one (this is presuming there is another one whose catchment area you fit into)

CFS is a syndrome (as the name suggests) syndromes are a collection of symptoms, and depression is a well know symptom that goes with CFS, so you are probably both right. Did you get any treatment for the depression, and did it make you feel any better?
any new doctor will get your notes from the previous one

[albignoni]

Thanks to the two people who responded. Between you, you have answered the gist of my main questions.

[bednobs]

you're welcome

[Robinia]

I agree with bednobs about both of you being right. Did he rule CFS out? If not could you talk to him about it? I suggested possibilities to my gp twice, half expecting to be dismissed, but I wasn't and thankfully he looked into it. I've found that gp's often look into individual problems but sometimes don't look at them as a whole....and they can't know everything, they're a gateway to further investigation.

[Sqad]

I have never understood the rationale of using another GP, wherever he might be and whoever he might be, as a second opinion.

Surely, a second opinion should come from a specialist (Consultant) in that particular field.