The point that I had obviously failed to make was: 'whats so special about
smear results?' There are many other tests that we do that have as important
implications as smear results and there seems no guidelines yet about these.
Those who already provide written results to patients should surely do the
same with the results of chest x-rays,urine results(especially in kids),
mammography,PSA and others. I know were are not always logical and I just
feel that this is another example. Perhaps someone can persuade me I'm wrong
and should change my ways.
Ian Cox
Pangbourne
Reading

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr M Trowell <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 23 February 1998 21:32
Subject: Re: Patient Results


>
>We have been writing to _all_ women for at least 6 years with the result,
>whether abnormal or not.
>
>
>Dr GM Trowell
>Highbridge Medical Centre
>Highbridge
>Somerset  TA9 3YA
>01278 783220
>
>[log in to unmask] this bit
>
>Highbridge - a cemetery with lights
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ian Cox <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: 23 February 1998 20:23
>Subject: Patient Results
>
>
>>
>>We have just received the booklet about cervical screening guidelines and
>>supported by the NHS executive. In it is stated that every patient must
>have
>>their smear result given to them in writing. While I think that this is a
>>perfectly desirable position, it is patently not feasible if one takes
this
>>idea to it's ?logical conclusion......
>>While I think that the screening programme has been a great success (and
we
>>were and still are doing 3 year smears long before a politician decided it
>>was a good idea) why should we have to give the results in writing? Anyway
>>if we have to what about PSA tests, LFTs, FBCs, Urine Cytology,CXRs etc
etc
>>etc? It does seem that cervical screening does get undue prominence in the
>>minds of health economists. Perhaps it is driven by the fear of
>journalists.
>>A secondary consideration is who is going to write to the
>>patient?..........Guess who will have to do it?....yes -'your family
doctor
>>will let you know the result.' can't you just hear the hospital
>>'specialists' talking?
>>
>>Ian Cox
>>Pangbourne
>>Reading
>>
>>
>



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