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Do you get a mot at the doctors?

(42 Posts)
lovingit Fri 07-Aug-26 23:47:14

I aee the practice nurse every 6 months for h.r.t. and go for all vaccinations offered by my surgery but I have not needed to see a doctor for over 15 years. I knew my bp was okay but didnt know about my cholesterol so asked for a blood test. The results show my cholesterol is high and I need a repeat test as my kidney results are not normal.
I am 75 and do wonder why we are not called in for an annual mot as this could have been picked up earlier.

Wyllow3 Sat 08-Aug-26 00:07:39

Yes, an annual one, am at the same age as you: it's with a nurse unless something untoward is picked up. It's been for maybe 3/4 years.
I'm glad what was needful was picked up when you asked. Keep asking!

Shinamae Sat 08-Aug-26 00:29:58

I ask for and get a full blood count every six months…
My cholesterol is high and I’ve just been put on a 40 mg statin…

Shinamae Sat 08-Aug-26 00:30:13

Shinamae

I ask for and get a full blood count every six months…
My cholesterol is high and I’ve just been put on a 40 mg statin…

I’m 73

Doodledog Sat 08-Aug-26 01:08:23

Mine is called an LCR (long-term conditions review) and includes a variety of blood tests to check things like cholesterol, kidney function, thyroid, diabetes and other things (I don't have those conditions, but they check to see if they have developed). They also check height, weight, blood pressure, asthma, which I do have, and ask about things like diet and alcohol intake. I always used to get a liver function test too, but last time it had been taken off the list, presumably for budget reasons.

Usedtobeblonde Sat 08-Aug-26 02:49:35

I get a meds review which is supposed to be every 12 months but is often more like 15/18 months. I go for bloods and blood pressure with a nurse or HCA and then have a phone appointment, last time it was with the practice pharmacist.
No other questions asked other than are you ok with your meds?
I am 89 and sometimes feel totally overlooked.
I did see a Dr at the beginning of the year after developing ann irregular heartbeat and this is being investigated currently.

kittylester Sat 08-Aug-26 06:36:12

We have a review annually before our prescriptions are renewed. It is usually with a nurse and then a gp if necessary.

It involves blood tests, urine test, height and weight check and a chat.

kittylester Sat 08-Aug-26 06:36:58

I thought it was a protocol now to offer over 70s ab annual check

Georgesgran Sat 08-Aug-26 07:23:38

I never had them, but DH did, so he asked about me and was told I didn’t ‘qualify’ as I didn’t take any regular medication. However, after he died, I was diagnosed and prescribed meds for high blood pressure, so I’m invited to the surgery annually for a blood test with a nurse, followed by a phone call to discuss the results. I’ve had 3 of these and I’m now 75. My hypochondriac friend demands her tests every six months.

Sarnia Sat 08-Aug-26 08:05:27

I have routine bloods done every 6 months and my blood pressure, height and weight is recorded. I have a bp machine at home so I always take the previous weeks reading to my MOT appointment. If my bloods show any worrying signs the practice nurse gets in touch with me to discuss options. I had a pre-diabetic flag on my bloods a year ago. The surgery referred me to a 10 month course about making changes to avoid becoming diabetic.
Every year the practice ring me for a medication review.

Erica23 Sat 08-Aug-26 08:28:33

We can’t have MOTs at our Drs until your 75 even though my DH takes statins and two other medications for his bladder.

Marydoll Sat 08-Aug-26 08:32:51

I have a heart and COPD check annually at the surgery, as well as routine ones from the hospital.

The hospital are on the ball, but I have to chase up my other reviews with the surgery.

ViceVersa Sat 08-Aug-26 08:38:57

I'm gobsmacked at this! I can't even get a routine appointment at my local GP, never mind an MOT! I'm supposed to get regular liver function blood tests, have been on a couple of medications for years now and no review has ever been carried out. I haven't been able to actually see a GP for about two years now, despite having had two recent trips to A&E and being told to follow up with my GP. Instead, I've just been fobbed off with blood tests. I know things aren't right - but I'm now at my wits' end. I think I've just given up.
Sorry for the rant...

yogitree Sat 08-Aug-26 08:42:17

Yes, always annually and sometimes more often if my conditions are flaring. A bit like Doodledog except they still give the liver test. If I was you, I would ask!

LadyGracie Sat 08-Aug-26 08:42:23

I’m 75 and I’ve never been called for an MOT.

Doodledog Sat 08-Aug-26 08:46:48

yogitree

Yes, always annually and sometimes more often if my conditions are flaring. A bit like Doodledog except they still give the liver test. If I was you, I would ask!

I did, and I’m getting one next week.

There is definitely a postcode lottery when it comes to this sort of thing. It’s not fair, and should be the same across the board.

MrsSquirrel Sat 08-Aug-26 10:52:21

I have been offered what they call an NHS health check every few years since I was in my 40s. At first it was just height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Now that I am on regular medication they are every year and also include blood tests for more stuff like kidney function, liver function.

henetha Sat 08-Aug-26 11:03:15

Until two years ago I had an annual check-up with a nurse at the surgery. I'm 88.
Now I have to take my own blood pressure twice a day for 7 days and then send in the average reading online. Likewise with my pulse rate.
And I had to weigh myself and measure my height and send those in online.
I am still called in for a blood test and then go online to read the result.
I am not at all happy with this. It seems to me that I should get a proper annual check up at my age. Are GP services becoming a DIY service?

cornergran Sat 08-Aug-26 11:08:56

I’m 78 and have never been offered an MoT. Medication reviews happen over the phone if at all. We request medication monitoring blood tests for Mr C every 6 months as protocol for his meds. If we didn't ask there would be no reminder.

Sarnia Sat 08-Aug-26 11:24:14

ViceVersa

I'm gobsmacked at this! I can't even get a routine appointment at my local GP, never mind an MOT! I'm supposed to get regular liver function blood tests, have been on a couple of medications for years now and no review has ever been carried out. I haven't been able to actually see a GP for about two years now, despite having had two recent trips to A&E and being told to follow up with my GP. Instead, I've just been fobbed off with blood tests. I know things aren't right - but I'm now at my wits' end. I think I've just given up.
Sorry for the rant...

You have a rant.
I would feel the same as you, especially as you have been hospitalised and advised to have follow ups at your surgery
In your shoes, I would be getting in touch with the practice manager and asking some questions. Failing that, could you change to a different surgery?

Doodledog Sat 08-Aug-26 11:35:47

It must surely be cheaper to run regular blood tests than to treat ailments that could be prevented. If someone is, say, pre-diabetic they could make lifestyle changes that prevent the diabetes from taking hold, or if cholesterol is building up a stroke could possibly be prevented, too.

ViceVersa Sat 08-Aug-26 11:38:34

Sarnia

ViceVersa

I'm gobsmacked at this! I can't even get a routine appointment at my local GP, never mind an MOT! I'm supposed to get regular liver function blood tests, have been on a couple of medications for years now and no review has ever been carried out. I haven't been able to actually see a GP for about two years now, despite having had two recent trips to A&E and being told to follow up with my GP. Instead, I've just been fobbed off with blood tests. I know things aren't right - but I'm now at my wits' end. I think I've just given up.
Sorry for the rant...

You have a rant.
I would feel the same as you, especially as you have been hospitalised and advised to have follow ups at your surgery
In your shoes, I would be getting in touch with the practice manager and asking some questions. Failing that, could you change to a different surgery?

Unfortunately, changing surgeries isn't really an option - pretty much all the other GP practices around here are already over-subscribed and not accepting new patients unless you move into their catchment area.

Usedtobeblonde Sat 08-Aug-26 12:19:25

When I had my last review with the pharmacist, over the phone, she said I’m pleased to tell you Mrs B that you are no longer pre-diabetic.
Me… I didn’t know I had been pre-diabetic… oh yes your bloods two years ago flagged it but you are not any longer.
What is the point?

watermeadow Sat 08-Aug-26 20:31:46

cornergran

I’m 78 and have never been offered an MoT. Medication reviews happen over the phone if at all. We request medication monitoring blood tests for Mr C every 6 months as protocol for his meds. If we didn't ask there would be no reminder.

I was offered a check up 15years after whenever it should have been. It was a tick box exercise done by someone half-witted. I have no trust in our abysmal surgery and haven’t seen a doctor for years. I know that, if I needed to see one, it would be well-nigh impossible.

Gin Sat 08-Aug-26 22:55:07

The only check up I get is a phone call from the asthma nurse. How one can review asthma over the phone is in my opinion quite useless.