A diabetic patient at a Chadderton GP practice criticised in a recent health watchdog report says she no longer trusts the surgery after she was left without insulin for three days.

Sheila Smith, aged 54, from south Chadderton, has Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults.

A patient at Block Lane Surgery, which was given a 'requires improvement' rating by the Care Quality Commission last week, Sheila said she was left thirsty, tired and unwell over the mix up.

The Oldham Times: Sheila SmithSheila Smith

Excessive thirst is a symptom of dangerously high blood glucose levels - regulated by insulin. 

Sheila had already made a written complaint to the GP in March about issues with her prescription not being sent to the pharmacy.

This was referenced in the CQC report, and it was noted that against practice policy, her complaint was responded to over the phone – and she was assured the prescription process would be altered.

However, in April Sheila said she requested a prescription for her insulin but instead of being sent electronically to the pharmacy as normal, it was issued as a paper prescription in the practice.

Sheila said she was not told of this and it led to her being without insulin for three days due to the Easter bank holiday.

At one point she said her blood glucose meter read ‘HI’ – indicating her levels had gone above the highest her meter could read – 33.3 mmol/L, indicating dangerously high blood glucose levels.

A diabetic’s blood sugar levels should be between four and seven mmol/L.

According to the meter’s manufacturer, if this reading is displayed, a patient should contact their healthcare professional immediately.

Speaking to The Oldham Times, Sheila said: “It’s not acceptable to leave a diabetic with a prescription behind the counter, on a bank holiday weekend.

“I was expecting it to come, and I thought 'where’s the prescription?' – it’s horrendous.

“I understand a mistake, but twice – it’s more than a mistake, in my opinion.”

Sheila eventually rang NHS 111, who provided her with a prescription – which she had not previously realised the service could do.

Sheila added: “There’s a danger to my health – there’s a danger that it’s happened to others – not just diabetics, anybody.

“Ever since they got a new practice manager in, they changed everything.”

Long-term complications of high blood glucose can include eye problems, foot problems, heart attacks, strokes, kidney problems, nerve damage, gum disease, and sexual health issues.

In its official report the Care Quality Commission, the health watchdog, found that complaints, including Sheila's, made to the practice were not discussed at practice meetings and that there “was no evidence of learning from complaints.”

The GP practice was ordered to improve in a report published by health watchdog last week following an inspection in May. 

Block Lane Surgery was told it requires improvement and said the surgery could be missing diabetes and kidney disease cases.

The practice was previously rated as ‘good.’

In particular, the practice was told in the report, published this week, it had failed to provide care and treatment in a safe way for its patients.

ALSO READ: Chadderton GP could be missing diabetes cases, CQC report finds

Sheila said she now struggles to trust her GP, saying: “I don’t trust my GP. They said ‘sorry, it won’t happen again – and it did happen again.

“Now I’m anxious when my prescriptions are due. I always make sure that I ring the GP to see if they’ve actually sent it.

“I did it last month, I did it this month, and I’ll do it next month. I don’t trust my GP – I need that medication there.

“They need to be accountable for what they do – they need to make changes.”

Block Lane Surgery was contacted for comment but did not respond.