Happy with your GP?

[Fireblade929]

Who are under far more pressure than the ones that provide services for us then?

As for the NHS I have had various dealings with it most of my life through a failed marriage to a paramedic, a partner who was a trauma nurse,CQC inspector and now Care Home manager to numerous family instances where the NHS have kept family alive.

Nothing but respect for those that choose this vocation.
Shame others don't have the same.

Pressure is subjective, some feel it others don't, it's impossible to compare an Emergency room situation with someone sitting in an HR office about to lose their job, or a surgeon performing an operation, a sportsman lining up for a final they've trained their entire life for, pressure is what you personally feel.

I've had far closer dealings with the NHS in the last 6yrs than I ever hoped, everyone of the nurses, consultants, neurosurgeons, chronic pain specialists have a great deal of sympathy and empathy, however... a large number of them also forget about you the second you leave the appointment, I waited over 2yrs for a Neurosurgeon appointment via the NHS, eventually my solicitor inquired about private treatment, £900 later and I had an appointment the following week.

Another example
I was sent to Kent & Canterbury hospital for a Denervation procedure, I was mistakenly put down as a private patient, I received a letter asking me to contact the receptionist to arrange an appointment time etc, when I arrived I was shown into a private room just off the public ward & given a card with the operating Dr's contact details, the operation was carried out and I was discharged.... a few days later I had reason to contact them so I called the "private number" on the card, during this call it was discovered that I was not a Private patient, the attitude instantly changed from helpful to "you need to ring this new number and leave a message, someone will get back to you", 2 months later I had a reply to the message I'd left by which time the issue had resolved itself, the same Dr's carrying the same procedures but the level of care is a world apart.

 

[Zerkalo]

Interesting to hear everyones stories.

I'll be going to my sisters for dinner tonight so I'm going to ask her what she reckons to the proposed changes, if she's heard of them as they haven't had much media coverage. He's a London liberal Lefty who doesn't like the government, blasphemy on here, and my sister is slightly the opposite and always comes out with statements that leave him saying she should join a right wing party. It will be interesting to see what they have to say.

I don't rely on a GP much but do have an NHS psychiatrist and nurse. They are brilliant, the nurse in particular, but my only complaint was with the psychiatrists who initially diagnosed me. One of them misrepresented what I said, was reading his phone as I was telling him what happened, and potentially left me in trouble with the police as what he reported contradicted my statement. Luckily I got away with a conditional caution.

 

[Arry]

Where are you pal ? This thread is sounding like an NHS postcode lottery. My mother in law in Nottingham can phone her doctor and get seen the next day.

Wish that were true here... you ask for a call back... it never comes, you phone up to complain and you are labelled as disruptive, online complaints go into the circular file, the town on the whole is pee'd off with our surgery's approach... it seems they've shut up shop... the annoying thing is... the majority of folks are double jabbed, doctors should be following their own protocols of washing hands and masks and only touching wearing gloves, so tell me where is the risk... everytime you phone you hear a message saying they are taking every precaution, but no one gets seen

 

[nejohn]

Brother in law went for camera up 3 weeks ago. Found something they couldn’t remove.
Got to see cancer specialist within 3 days.
More test etc last week.
Pre op appointment Monday gone
Operation planned for this Monday.
From a bit blood in poo to operation in 3 weeks.
Not bad in my view.

When I lived in Rowlands Gill I came under Gateshead health service and I have to say they were excellent, I was having some stomach issues and as soon as I said my brother died of bowel cancer the GP rang the QE while I was there and booked me in for a scan and camera for the next day, luckily apart from the discomfort of the camera all was well but the service was 1st class

 

[Geoff P]

I may be annoyed with my doctors at the moment but a couple of years ago they saved my life. I was away for a few days on holiday and on the last couple of days did not feel too good. On the drive home on a Friday I was sick a couple of times. At home I did not have an appetite, drank loads of water and slept 18 - 20 hours a day.

Managed to get a blood test for Wednesday morning at 8.30 and was called back at 5pm that day telling me to go to Barnsley Hospital and check into a certain ward.

I had MRI scan and other tests within 2 hours of arriving in the hospital and was put on a drip. I saw the specialist first thing the next morning and she explained what was wrong with me. I had two blood clots in my lower stomach, which apparently was quite serious. She told me that a week later it would have been touch and go if I would have survived.

I spent a week in hospital, injections of an anticlotting medication four times daily and after being released I had to attend the INR clinic everyday for an injection, with being taught how to give myself the injection in the evenings.

Now on Warfarin daily with checks every 1 - 8 weeks depending on my INR readings.

I had to attend an emergency clinic several months ago due to constant lack of breath, the doctor there suspected COPD but I need more tests, due to Covid it would appear I have been forgotten but getting an appointment to see a doctor in our local surgery because my breathing is no better seems near impossible. If only they would answer the phones.

 

[62tucker]

When I lived in Rowlands Gill I came under Gateshead health service and I have to say they were excellent, I was having some stomach issues and as soon as I said my brother died of bowel cancer the GP rang the QE while I was there and booked me in for a scan and camera for the next day, luckily apart from the discomfort of the camera all was well but the service was 1st class

My daughter is a sister at the QE. We live about 1/2 mile away.
It has its problems like all but excellent in my Mam and dad life.

 

[Neil ofthe nene]

What are you basing your pay assumptions and fund redirection on Neil - fact or speculation?

Changing a persons job title won't change the pay structure as sectors pay what market forces dictate.

In your banking days you could have been Grand Moff Neil but you were still doing the same role.
In all sectors if you want good people you have to pay for it-unfortunately there appears to not be enough good ones to go round.

In my banking days my job was downgraded. That had no initial impact on me but for a successor the salary would have been lower and the perks less. The moment you add "manager" instead of "supervisor" or "team leader" to a person's job title the salary goes up.

I have friends who have worked both inside and outside of the NHS. I base my opinion on what these trusted sources tell me of the differences. Plus, having applied for a practice manager's position I know what type of salary they are on.

What I do know is that in large organisations there is always areas where money can be saved, money is wasted and those in power protect their positions and those they rely on to keep them in that position. As I say, turkeys don't vote for Christmas.

 

[62tucker]

Must be a post code thing.
When I was away earlier in year I got stung off what I thought was a wasp at top of my wellie.
No problem etc. next day all leg was swollen. Antihistamine etc as not one to fuss. 3 days later my daughter seen it and told me to phone docs. As I was 50 mile away. Explained to doc who sent me a number to send photos in and then they phoned me back straight away.
Excellent service and saved me a trip home to docs and saved a appointment for someone in need

 

[squimp]

Where are you pal ? This thread is sounding like an NHS postcode lottery. My mother in law in Nottingham can phone her doctor and get seen the next day.

Gloucestershire.

 

[Whisker]

My doctors…

 

[62tucker]

Flu jab tomorrow
Doctors/pharmacy put on Facebook so daughter sorted it for me.

 

[rd115]

Happy with GP's, its the daft bints on the counter/phones at the surgery who think they're medical experts who annoy me.

No Sharon I won't be telling you why I need an appointment, that's between me and the GP and quite frankly none of your business

 

[Arry]

Happy with GP's, its the daft bints on the counter/phones at the surgery who think they're medical experts who annoy me.

No Sharon I won't be telling you why I need an appointment, that's between me and the GP and quite frankly none of your business

Its me knob.... its fallen off...

 

[stikflote]

Our doctors say it is practice policy for receptionist to ask what problem is so they can signpost you to
best doctor to help you

 

[Lee Richards]

The government reads 'drowners..

NHS in bleak position as A&E waits worsen, say doctors

It comes as ministers unveil £250m package for GPs to encourage more face-to-face consultations.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[PJG]

Firstly let me emphasise my total respect for our doctors and nurses! However; I do believe the NHS is trying to relieve the GPs of their workload because many of them are nearing retirement age and the NHS don't want to lose them.
Be careful though: many practices have a new grade called a PA (Physician Assistant) who is not a fully qualified doctor - they are not allowed to write prescriptions. Sorry but if I got on an aeroplane I would want a qualified pilot up front! I do find that when seeing a GP they now spend more time looking at a computer screen than me!?

 

[Sportsman]

I could make a direct comparison between my experiences in UK and my experiences in France, but don't want to upset certain people - again

 

[Neil ofthe nene]

I could make a direct comparison between my experiences in UK and my experiences in France, but don't want to upset certain people - again

France, and Spain.

 

[Neil ofthe nene]

The Boss was a GP receptionist for 21 years. If anyone wants a chat with her about her experience from the other side of the desk let me know.

One oft repeated story is of how patients would hop from GP to GP until eventually they wore one down into giving them antibiotics for something they are useless for. No wonder you cannot get an appointment when selfish and ignorant people like that book appointments one after the other. Yes it could be managed if you ask the reason for the appointment. But if you cannot ask that question the receptionist just has to book the appointment.

 

[Whisker]

Mrs Whisker had a stint as a doctors receptionist, it’s not a job I’d fancy doing either. The amount of grief they get off idiots and low life’s (and some doctors) is unbelievable; and all for little above minimum wage. I picked her up from work one night and when she got in the car, she burst into tears. I told her that was it, she’s handing her notice in… why can’t people just be nice?