Dear LPG

About nine months ago, I had extreme arthritic pain in one knee.  An injection and some Anti-inflammatory tablets prescribed by my then GP made all the difference. He did warn me that the effects would only last for about six months before another injection may be needed.  About eight months later I moved from Lewisham to Dartford and, as predicted, I was forced to phone my new surgery, as I was in pain, and I found that I could not get an appointment for at least two weeks.

The doctor I eventually saw spent much of the session reading my notes, and having done so he advised me to keep taking the tablets, even though I told him they were no longer effective. I asked about the possibility of another injection, but was told that I would need a visit to see a specialist at the local hospital, which would take time to set up.  I mentioned the extreme pain and was reminded that it was not life-threatening.  It appears that all the work done in Lewisham, MRI, CAT scans, X-rays etc. do not count and that the process needs to be started again. I have to understand that I am now in pain because of administration technicalities.  So there are notes upon notes, and they need to make more while I rest in the reassurance that it’s “only pain”.

MM,   Dartford