For Cat (and anyone else in a similar position) …
You should get a copy of any letter sent to your GP. The NHS Charter says so.
Unfortunately, many Departments do not do this, and it takes a call to PALS to get anywhere.
HINT: don’t phone them, e-mail them. This sets up an audit trail, and they may not want this (wonder why).
There is a problem in that only a GP (and possibly a Consultant) can give a diagnosis. A secretary cannot even tell you what it is, or discuss it; a nurse can only discuss what is in a letter to you.
This can mean that you get a letter with technical terms in it, but cannot get an easy explanation.
Geoff