Shweta’s experience: “If only a GP had seen me in person, I would have my degree with no delays.”
Shweta, an international student from Nepal, had injured her right hand making carrying out daily living tasks difficult and writing or typing for her studies impossible. “I couldn’t even move my hand. I couldn’t write papers for my final terms,” said Shweta, who had come to London for her master’s study. “I was more and more worried about my studies as I had come far away from my family for my studies, but I couldn’t complete my assignments.”
The pain worsened over a few days, and she tried booking a GP appointment. “The pain became so severe that I could not even move my fingers.”
Since I have paid immigration health surcharges which is several hundred pounds, I was told I have the right to see a doctor if unwell. But I couldn't.
Shweta was offered a remote consultation over the phone. Shweta wanted a face-to-face appointment but was refused. “I was very serious about this matter and I asked the call operator [receptionist] how I would get answers to my problems if I only talked with the GP via phone. I couldn't even move my fingers, so I really needed an X-ray and an in-person checkup.”
Despite making repeated requests, all that was offered were telephone consultations. Shweta said the phone consultation didn’t help.
“Since I have paid immigration health surcharges which is several hundred pounds, I was told I have the right to see a doctor if unwell. But I couldn't. All I was offered was a couple of conversations with the GP via phone. In my painful experience, it wasn't enough.“
Shweta couldn’t complete her assignments on time and had to request an extension for her master’s dissertation lengthening her time in the UK and creating an additional financial burden.
“If I had received proper treatment on time, I would have got my degree on time with no delays. My GP didn't schedule an in-person appointment for my hand injury. It was a very serious situation where I had to take an extension for my Master’s dissertation which caused my degree to be delayed by months,” said Shweta. “For an international student like me, this is a big setback for my career and my family. People like me come to the UK for education after paying thousands of pounds in college fees, visa charges and NHS surcharges. I was not asking for anything from the NHS for free – I was asking for a service I’d already paid for, to see a doctor in person and not just on the telephone - and I still couldn’t get it.”
