Back in the summer of 2021 we introduced Oliver Stovin, a retired GP of 27 years and for the last 6 years, a part-time MacMillan GP and Cancer Lead for Cambridge and Peterborough, helping to improve cancer services in the county.
Oliver has a wealth of experience which he is keen to share with us and also has a Barrett’s diagnosis himself. This blog will cover some of the topics we are asked about frequently at HCUK in order to help support those living with Barrett’s or experiencing reflux.
Oliver explains – “As a retired GP I am not allowed to give individual advice, but I can point people to appropriate resources and guidance.
The internet is a great source of good quality information but also misinformation and it can be hard to distinguish between them. I also suffer from chronic reflux and Barrett’s oesophagus, so have a keen interest in staying well informed.
The topics I plan to cover over the next few months include everything from getting the most from a GP consultation to the findings at a gastroscopy. I hope I will be able to cover many of the concerns that we are asked about and will attempt to arm you with good information to improve understanding or to use when explaining your concerns to your own GP or consultant.
The topics I have on my list so far include:
- What are the GP guidelines for investigating a patient with reflux?
- What do all the words mean?
- Who should be on a PPI like omeprazole and how long?
- What is the guidance for regular reviews for patients on a PPI?
- What is NICE (or SIGN in Scotland) and what do they do?
- How to get the most from a GP consultation.
- Registering with a GP, changing GP, getting a second opinion.
- Why I cannot give individual advice.
I expect to do a blog at least every month, so I already have more than 6 months of topics!
I hope that you will find the information useful. I suppose the bottom line is that I will be explaining what I would want/expect from the NHS as a patient.”
Please do keep checking back for new instalments.
