A Disturbing Experience with My GP Surgery: Threats Over an Unrelated Review

Recently, I encountered a perplexing situation with my local GP surgery that has left me feeling anxious and confused. It all began when I received an email from their office expressing concern over a negative Google review they believe I posted. However, I can assure you that I have never left a review of any kind.

Upon checking the mentioned review, I discovered that it was written by someone else entirely, who happens to have a different name yet shares my medical condition. Despite the reviewer’s identity, my GP’s office insisted that the review is damaging to their reputation and indicated that they might take legal action, categorizing it as a ‘libel case.’ They have requested that I attend a meeting with my GP and the practice manager to discuss the matter further.

To add to the complexity of this situation, the GP in question isn’t even my primary care doctor. Due to the current staffing shortages, patients are often assigned to different GPs when they seek help, which complicates matters further.

Now, I find myself hesitant to attend this meeting. I have no connection to the review in question, so how can they be so certain it’s linked to me? Furthermore, in their email, they mentioned reviewing my medical records to determine that I was the author of the review. This raises a significant concern for me, as it may constitute a breach of GDPR regulations regarding patient privacy.

As I navigate through this bewildering experience, I am left wondering about my options. Should I simply ignore their demands, or is it advisable to respond in some way?

I would greatly appreciate any guidance or similar experiences shared by others who might have faced a comparable situation. Your insights would be invaluable as I consider my next steps.

Update: I’ve made some minor edits for clarity and added more context to this situation. Thank you for your understanding.