Chloe Fitzpatrick, 29, claims she’s been removed from the patient list at Cochrane Medical Practice after she complained about the way she’d been treated.
She has also lodged an official complaint with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde over cancelled hospital appointments after she had three positive smear tests.
The mum-of-four, who lives in Nevis Road, says she asked her MSP, Stuart McMillan, for help – and says she feels as if she’s been unfairly punished for raising her concerns.
Chloe told the Telegraph: “Following my efforts to raise legitimate concerns about the quality of care I have received – concerns which I also shared with my local MSP and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde – I have now received formal notice that I am being removed from my GP practice’s list.
(Image: Duncan Bryceland)
“I’m really angry. I believe this decision is retaliatory, made solely because I stood up for myself and involved external support in my care.”
Chloe first spoke to the Telegraph in March about her fears that she might have cervical cancer following the positive smear tests, and about her concern after being left facing a wait of 47 weeks to see a gynaecologist.
Chloe, who also suffers from endrometrosis, also has a family history of cervical cancer; her mother had the disease, but it was detected early enough for treatment to be a success.
She said that she received an apology from NHS GGC, and that the health board recommended she should receive an urgent, rather than a routine, referral, because of her severe pain.
But she says that a few days after showing the health board’s letter to her GP practice, they wrote to her saying she was being removed from their list.
The practice’s letter stated: “We are writing to confirm that, following recent discussions regarding your concerns and dissatisfaction with our services, we have decided to remove you from our list.
(Image: George Munro)
“The decision has been made in accordance with practice policy [due to a] breakdown in patient trust/GP relations.”
She said: “I’ve had this pain for more than nine years. It’s like a knife cutting right across my tummy.
“This feels like an attempt to silence me for raising my voice and seeking accountability in a system that has consistently failed me.”
Chloe’s most recent appointment at Inverclyde Royal was on Monday for a colposcopy, a procedure she has asked for a year ago which examines the cervix for any abnormalities following a positive smear test.
She said: “I was told there are low grade changes to my cervix, and had two biopsies taken.
“I strongly believe that if I had been seen sooner the changes might not have happened.”
A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “For reasons of patient confidentiality, we cannot comment on individual cases, but we would like to apologise to Ms Fitzpatrick for any distress she is experiencing.
“Ms Fitzpatrick’s care is ongoing, and the clinical teams will continue to work and address any issues as they arise. We hope to maintain Ms Fitzpatrick’s trust as she continues to engage with our services.
“As with any patient, if there are any concerns about any aspect of their care, we would encourage them to contact the service.”
Mr McMillan said: “My office has been supporting Chloe for several months now, and we will continue to do so.
“Seeking support and advocacy from your elected representative should never preclude you from accessing services – especially healthcare.
“It is with regret that Cochrane Medical Practice have taken this approach and we are engaging with Inverclyde HSCP on the matter.”
Chloe has since registered with another Greenock practice.
A spokesperson for Cochrane Medical Practice said: “The practice is committed to delivering high quality care to all our patients. We are aware of the concerns raised and take such matters seriously.
“Due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to comment on specific cases, but we can confirm that any complaints are investigated in accordance with our policies.”