"i actually wanted the refusal, sounds mad. i needed it in writing so i could take it further. Got the written no, used the stage 1 complaint template bit, and 3 weeks later the practice manager rang and the referral was suddenly possible after all. funny that."
“Been asking for the long covid clinic since january and everytime i got "give it more time". Did the questions on my phone in bed, took about 5 mins. Sent the letter thru the surgery website on the thursday. Friday afternoon the GP rang me himself. Referral done, bloods booked, and he apologised. I didnt need a better doctor i just needed to say it properly.”
Long COVID · Nottingham
Jul 2026
“My lads been off school 14 months. Every appointment i came out feeling like id been told off. I used this to write it down for him instead of me trying to explain while hes sat there crying. Paediatric referral came thru in 9 days. 14 months of nothing and then 9 days. Thats what gets me.”
Long COVID · Stoke-on-Trent
Jul 2026
“11 years. eleven. Told it was ibs, told it was stress, told to try the pill again. Sent the letter, got gynae referral, had the laparoscopy in march and they found stage 3 endo and adhesions on my bowel. So not stress then. I dont think id have ever been diagnosed if i hadnt stopped being polite about it.”
Endometriosis · Bolton
Jul 2026
One short email each Sunday, real stories from people who got their GP to take them seriously.
