I have been registered with the same GP for 6 years now so this means he has known Gaelle all her life, referring her to many dermatologists, prescribing all sorts of specialist treatments and equipment over the past 5 years (our repeat prescription is huge), witnessing her infections and distress, her bleeding baby face and her scabby hands more recently.

If you have read my previous entry, you will know that I went to see him to get an Occupational Therapy referral letter sent for Gaelle in order to get some help with adapting the shower for her, which is much needed (see OT journey entry).

The discussion between us went as follow:

“- Hello, I've come to discuss a referral for my daughter Gaelle (then I explained why, how, how much etc).

- (He smiles gently although some may use the word 'patronisingly') Oh but I am really sorry, I cannot do that. You see, this OT service is not for everyone, it is specifically for people with disabilities so you couldn't possibly be eligible.

- But Gaelle has a disability! This is not for me... (by then, I wondered whether we just had misunderstood one another!)

- Actually, no I wouldn't say she is disabled.

- Well, you will be then surprised to know that she has been getting the Disability Living Allowance for the past 3 years on the middle rate of the care component!

- Has she?!!

- Yes

- Oh that's completely different then, I will be happy to write the referral letter for you straight away. Good bye...”

I don't think it is necessary to describe how furious, raging and outraged I was as I left the health centre. How could he not know she gets the DLA, how could he tell me there is basically nothing wrong with her and she hasn't got a condition and how could he be 'happy' to change his mind that quickly?!

Unbelievable, don't you think?

I have been thinking of changing GP for a while. I have now collected the forms to do so!