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Comment by jkot | Hacker News Reader

My friend had diabetes, her GP could not even diagnose that from basic symptoms, several visits and blood test.

I strongly recommend to anyone with 'mysterious' long term illness to visit doctor in other country.

Some doctors suck, no matter what country you're in. I've heard similar stories from people in the US, India, everywhere. You have a right to a second opinion in the UK - use it if you're unsure.

Yes, but in UK you have to go through GP for everything. It can take months before seeing specialist for trivial stuff.

I've got to argue with that. If it's important, you can get to see a specialist in less than two weeks, at least in Scotland, and that was for something classified as "mental health" in my case. If it's something you can manage on your own for a while before seeing a doctor, yes, you get stuck on a waiting list.

What kind of trivial are we talking about? i went with concerns about changes to my bowel habits and the GP had me to a specialist with a camera up my arse within two weeks.

I guess that's under the "Be Clear on Cancer" stuff?

https://www.nhs.uk/be-clear-on-cancer/symptoms/bowel-cancer

> If you've had blood in your poo or looser poo for the last three weeks, tell your doctor. Chances are it's nothing serious, but you're not wasting anyone's time by getting it checked out. Call your GP today.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-its-f...

Blood tests, to get second opinion. GP disagreed with patient suggestion, and had loundry list of treatments to try first (including shrink and accupuncture).

Three months is reasonable number if you have no GP (have to register first), bad english and live in poor neighbourhood.

Visiting foreign doctors is cheaper and faster.

You can get a second opinion from another GP. You can ask to see anyone in your practice without issue - you're registered to the practice, not a specific doctor. If your entire practice is filled with awful doctors... there's an issue, but I've yet to see that. (You can also register with another practice if you have issues with your nearest one.)

Considering it's a pretty common diagnosis I'm willing to bet your friends experience is anything but usual.

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