The school rang my wife yesterday about our 12 yr old son who was saying he didnt feel well and said his chest was sore. Teacher said his heart rate was pretty fast. He hadn't been running about or anything. Long story short he was lifted from school and the wife thought she would call into the GP Surgery in our small town. She said the car park to the surgery was empty (this was around 2pm) and when she went to the reception she could see they waiting room was empty and they told her that there were no free appointments available and to ring this number.
She rang the number and explained what was going on and was told to be at Craigavon for 6pm.
Went up and got a ECG done which showed nothing out of the ordinary and said that it might be best to get a chest xray and sent her over to the A&E department.
My wife said it was crazy, the place was packed with only standing room and she just came home as she would probably be still waiting.
Before COVID you could ring the GP surgery and get an appointment the same day, Why are GP's not back to seeing patients, is everything just been sent to the A&E departments. What are they actually doing?
We are not ones who run every time to the doctors if one of us has have a sniffle and the last time I was we were at a hospital was when our last was born which was 8 years ago.
Surly this can go on like this as staff at the hospitals couldnt work under them conditions.
Sorry for the long post.
Not all, in the surgery I'm at they are seeing people all the time, some places must different
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2024, 01:24:14 PMNot all, in the surgery I'm at they are seeing people all the time, some places must different
Local GP has very few slots and you have to call every morning from 9 to 9:30 or you won't get a slot that day and then you've to try again the next morning.
Too few GP's in a lot of these surgeries now.
My surgery will NOT see you unless you have an appointment (ring 79 times from 8.30 to be told all slots filled or get a call back from a Doctor who will do everything they can NOT to physically see you ) they will also NOT see you if you mention chest pain - they tell you to go to A&E - it's a complete joke.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:05:13 PMMy surgery will NOT see you unless you have an appointment (ring 79 times from 8.30 to be told all slots filled or get a call back from a Doctor who will do everything they can NOT to physically see you ) they will also NOT see you if you mention chest pain - they tell you to go to A&E - it's a complete joke.
Same for the surgery I go to.
Yeah it's a similar story for me too. I understand there is too few GPs and now an increase in population in some areas. That said, GPs being unavailable has shunted people to the A&E.
Also, who wants to make over 200 calls in the morning to be told there's no appointments left and you'll have to try again tomorrow.
To even nearly get speaking to a GP you have to say that you are in an emergency. What about non emergency consultations? You used to be able to phone and book something 3/4 weeks in advance. That facility now seems to have completely disappeared.
My friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
My surgery is like that also, 200 calls, and still no appointments, but they are seeing people its not like they are sitting playing Candy crush all day
I'm lucky enough that the girl that's on reception went to the same gym and I'll send her a text and get sorted ;)
Not what ya know and all that
Then Wednesday they are closed from 12 as its staff training, so any mission you have on Mon, Tue, Thur or Fri you have none on Wed, I go to another surgery beside mine to collect prescriptions once a week at different times, there's never one in the waiting rooms.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2024, 02:47:53 PMMy surgery is like that also, 200 calls, and still no appointments, but they are seeing people its not like they are sitting playing Candy crush all day
I'm lucky enough that the girl that's on reception went to the same gym and I'll send her a text and get sorted ;)
Not what ya know and all that
100%. Id say they are flat out and under serious pressure. The whole health care system is surely at breaking point.
On a side note, I'd say receptionists are taking some abuse.
Quote from: lurganblue on April 23, 2024, 02:57:12 PMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2024, 02:47:53 PMMy surgery is like that also, 200 calls, and still no appointments, but they are seeing people its not like they are sitting playing Candy crush all day
I'm lucky enough that the girl that's on reception went to the same gym and I'll send her a text and get sorted ;)
Not what ya know and all that
100%. Id say they are flat out and under serious pressure. The whole health care system is surely at breaking point.
On a side note, I'd say receptionists are taking some abuse.
Police where in my place today, I'm attached to the surgery but its methadone day! Go figure
Quote from: Hereiam on April 23, 2024, 12:51:49 PMThe school rang my wife yesterday about our 12 yr old son who was saying he didnt feel well and said his chest was sore. Teacher said his heart rate was pretty fast. He hadn't been running about or anything. Long story short he was lifted from school and the wife thought she would call into the GP Surgery in our small town. She said the car park to the surgery was empty (this was around 2pm) and when she went to the reception she could see they waiting room was empty and they told her that there were no free appointments available and to ring this number.
She rang the number and explained what was going on and was told to be at Craigavon for 6pm.
Went up and got a ECG done which showed nothing out of the ordinary and said that it might be best to get a chest xray and sent her over to the A&E department.
My wife said it was crazy, the place was packed with only standing room and she just came home as she would probably be still waiting.
Before COVID you could ring the GP surgery and get an appointment the same day, Why are GP's not back to seeing patients, is everything just been sent to the A&E departments. What are they actually doing?
We are not ones who run every time to the doctors if one of us has have a sniffle and the last time I was we were at a hospital was when our last was born which was 8 years ago.
Surly this can go on like this as staff at the hospitals couldnt work under them conditions.
Sorry for the long post.
Few points on this.
No you generally could not see a GP the same day before COVID. Routine appointments were handed out a month in advance. Slots would be reserved for emergency stuff on the day but for the most part, you had to wait a few weeks at least.
In fact, more people are seen "on the day" than ever before. The move to a day to day triage service has ensured that calls can be triaged and redirected to the appropriate person (GP, pharmacist, a&e, etc).
There are more consultations per day now than before COVID, and that's with less staff. To the point where safety concerns have very raised by the BMA.
There are a few reasons why surgeries are ridiculously busy at the minute. A shortage of doctors like I said, but as well as that the amount of people on waiting lists for secondary care is growing, leaving these people essentially going to their GP to treat symptoms whilst they wait for expert assessment. An aging population and increased rates of obesity, T2DM etc also contribute.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:05:13 PMMy surgery will NOT see you unless you have an appointment (ring 79 times from 8.30 to be told all slots filled or get a call back from a Doctor who will do everything they can NOT to physically see you ) they will also NOT see you if you mention chest pain - they tell you to go to A&E - it's a complete joke.
Would you want to be stuck around your local GP surgery if you were having a heart attack? Or be in a hospital?
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 23, 2024, 03:39:12 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:05:13 PMMy surgery will NOT see you unless you have an appointment (ring 79 times from 8.30 to be told all slots filled or get a call back from a Doctor who will do everything they can NOT to physically see you ) they will also NOT see you if you mention chest pain - they tell you to go to A&E - it's a complete joke.
Would you want to be stuck around your local GP surgery if you were having a heart attack? Or be in a hospital?
If the GP was where I was and the hospital an hour away then I would certainly appreciate the help of the GP in the very short term.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 23, 2024, 03:39:12 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:05:13 PMMy surgery will NOT see you unless you have an appointment (ring 79 times from 8.30 to be told all slots filled or get a call back from a Doctor who will do everything they can NOT to physically see you ) they will also NOT see you if you mention chest pain - they tell you to go to A&E - it's a complete joke.
Would you want to be stuck around your local GP surgery if you were having a heart attack? Or be in a hospital?
Most chest pain isn't heart related, a qualified medical professional could tell you that, I went to A&E at 2pm and was seen around 11pm, guess what nothing to fo with my heart, its just easier to pass the buck.
I had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 23, 2024, 03:31:27 PMQuote from: Hereiam on April 23, 2024, 12:51:49 PMThe school rang my wife yesterday about our 12 yr old son who was saying he didnt feel well and said his chest was sore. Teacher said his heart rate was pretty fast. He hadn't been running about or anything. Long story short he was lifted from school and the wife thought she would call into the GP Surgery in our small town. She said the car park to the surgery was empty (this was around 2pm) and when she went to the reception she could see they waiting room was empty and they told her that there were no free appointments available and to ring this number.
She rang the number and explained what was going on and was told to be at Craigavon for 6pm.
Went up and got a ECG done which showed nothing out of the ordinary and said that it might be best to get a chest xray and sent her over to the A&E department.
My wife said it was crazy, the place was packed with only standing room and she just came home as she would probably be still waiting.
Before COVID you could ring the GP surgery and get an appointment the same day, Why are GP's not back to seeing patients, is everything just been sent to the A&E departments. What are they actually doing?
We are not ones who run every time to the doctors if one of us has have a sniffle and the last time I was we were at a hospital was when our last was born which was 8 years ago.
Surly this can go on like this as staff at the hospitals couldnt work under them conditions.
Sorry for the long post.
Few points on this.
No you generally could not see a GP the same day before COVID. Routine appointments were handed out a month in advance. Slots would be reserved for emergency stuff on the day but for the most part, you had to wait a few weeks at least.
In fact, more people are seen "on the day" than ever before. The move to a day to day triage service has ensured that calls can be triaged and redirected to the appropriate person (GP, pharmacist, a&e, etc).
There are more consultations per day now than before COVID, and that's with less staff. To the point where safety concerns have very raised by the BMA.
There are a few reasons why surgeries are ridiculously busy at the minute. A shortage of doctors like I said, but as well as that the amount of people on waiting lists for secondary care is growing, leaving these people essentially going to their GP to treat symptoms whilst they wait for expert assessment. An aging population and increased rates of obesity, T2DM etc also contribute.
This is correct, ad to that the amount of money GP practices receive to provide services has not increased in a long time meaning that all staff wage increases and the normal cost of living increases have been taken out of the GP's pocket so it is becoming harder to retain GP's.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
Quote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
Quote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
[/quote
GP Practices have a limited number of sessions, even if they decided to go part time it would not impact on the number of appointments available at your practice. Most Doctors who leave HSC GP work do so because they can no longer put up with the insane work load.
Quote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
In a nutshell.
The NHS in the 6 counties is underfunded, and it is not going to improve much. In the 26 counties it is an honest proposition, we'll charge you unless you are in the poorer half of the population. In the 6 counties the proposition is that everything is free, but we won't see you anytime soon.
Can you blame gp's taking a private job? Handier hours and better £ sure why wouldn't they?
Yeah f**k you jack I am OK.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 06:20:15 PMYeah f**k you jack I am OK.
You're putting the blame at the GPs door for taking on a legal practice activity? What moral obligation do they have to get f**ked by a broken system?
Successive Prime Ministers, Health Ministers drove the place into the ground. Some moral obligation to be the last violinist on the Titanic.
Quote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:55:14 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
GP Practices have a limited number of sessions, even if they decided to go part time it would not impact on the number of appointments available at your practice. Most Doctors who leave HSC GP work do so because they can no longer put up with the insane work load.
Insane workload? 9-6 with a few hrs off for paperwork and calls in my local surgery. As you have said the GPs have limited availability which hasn't changed despite the massive uptick in need so how is their workload insane? The biggest complaint the seem to have is that they were being taxed too highly on their pension fund.
Are people just more sick? More people and less doctors?
Living longer, as I've said many times is a curse.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2024, 08:25:49 PMAre people just more sick? More people and less doctors?
Living longer, as I've said many times is a curse.
Yeah but why are we all so sick
Quote from: thebigfella on April 23, 2024, 08:39:25 PMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2024, 08:25:49 PMAre people just more sick? More people and less doctors?
Living longer, as I've said many times is a curse.
Yeah but why are we all so sick
Cause we've no will power, we over indulge and realise that life's for living
Fixing it is easy, moderate exercise smaller plates, moderate intake of carbs protein fewer drinks and natural sugars.
All that said the fittest man in the world can have a heart attack
The healthiest eating person in the world can get cancer
I've known plenty that aren't with us anymore who were some of the above.
Quote from: thebigfella on April 23, 2024, 08:39:25 PMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2024, 08:25:49 PMAre people just more sick? More people and less doctors?
Living longer, as I've said many times is a curse.
Yeah but why are we all so sick
Eating carbs
Quote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
Couple of health centres in Derry are starting to offer the private consultations at £75 a pop. These appointments will only be outside the core hours, ie after 6pm as far as I know.
* huge amount of last minute cancellations / no shows
* staff members getting serious abuse. A woman working in one of the larger health centres in the town told me 4 admin staff left within a week of each other. They didn't have other jobs to go to at the time, just couldn't listen to any more dung
* dozens of prescriptions like 'brufen and paracetamol which cost a quid in the supermarket costing £40+ when got through a health centre
* repeat patients, and I'm talking of a lot of folk calling each and every day with different ailments
* queues for sick lines
* general levels of entitlement and abuse of the system
The above and many more issues aren't helping things
Quote from: Puckoon on April 23, 2024, 06:42:24 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 06:20:15 PMYeah f**k you jack I am OK.
You're putting the blame at the GPs door for taking on a legal practice activity? What moral obligation do they have to get f**ked by a broken system?
Successive Prime Ministers, Health Ministers drove the place into the ground. Some moral obligation to be the last violinist on the Titanic.
Did they pay privately to be trained?
Quote from: JoG2 on April 23, 2024, 09:59:06 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
Couple of health centres in Derry are starting to offer the private consultations at £75 a pop. These appointments will only be outside the core hours, ie after 6pm as far as I know.
* huge amount of last minute cancellations / no shows
* staff members getting serious abuse. A woman working in one of the larger health centres in the town told me 4 admin staff left within a week of each other. They didn't have other jobs to go to at the time, just couldn't listen to any more dung
* dozens of prescriptions like 'brufen and paracetamol which cost a quid in the supermarket costing £40+ when got through a health centre
* repeat patients, and I'm talking of a lot of folk calling each and every day with different ailments
* queues for sick lines
* general levels of entitlement and abuse of the system
The above and many more issues aren't helping things
The abuse thing is disgusting but it's happening everywhere poor kids in retail, folk are tramps me me me.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 10:00:49 PMQuote from: Puckoon on April 23, 2024, 06:42:24 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 06:20:15 PMYeah f**k you jack I am OK.
You're putting the blame at the GPs door for taking on a legal practice activity? What moral obligation do they have to get f**ked by a broken system?
Successive Prime Ministers, Health Ministers drove the place into the ground. Some moral obligation to be the last violinist on the Titanic.
Did they pay privately to be trained?
Is the course to be a doctor free?
No university course is free now, are you a doctor after a medical course or do you need advice, training and guidance via a paid private sector company or is that provided by say the NHS in the occupied 6?
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 10:20:35 PMNo university course is free now, are you a doctor after a medical course or do you need advice, training and guidance via a paid private sector company or is that provided by say the NHS in the occupied 6?
I'm not sure what you are on about, are you saying doctors have to be public sector workers because the do a medical degree?
How Much Does It Cost To Become A Doctor In The UK? In 2021, it was estimated that the average medical student graduates with between £70,000 - £90,000 student loan debt. This is significantly larger than students in other degrees due to the length of the medical degree, charged at £9,250 per year.
And they earn significantly more let's be honest, I was replying to Armagh18 saying it is fine for Doctors to take better pay, which is a fair point we all want the best pay, when I was trained I entered a contract 30 years ago that if I left with in 2 years I had to pay a percentage of the training and my job is so unimportant compared to the great work Doctors do. My point to Armagh18 was if all medical professionals did their degree got trained by the NHS to be as great as they are in their field just left for private work where us the morality for folk who paid their taxes all their lives but can't afford 75 quid a pop to see said professionals, seems a tad unfair.
Bet if everyone had to pay you could get an appointment anytime anywhere!
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 10:51:25 PMBet if everyone had to pay you could get an appointment anytime anywhere!
Wife paid over £100 recently, couldn't be arsed phoning anymore and I was embarrassed asking the friend I had at doctors reception.
Was seen next day, had bloods taken antibiotic's prescribed
Had that illness recently that completely floored her, I was fed up looking after her, so money well spent
Imagine if you couldn't afford the 100 quid?
Quote from: armaghniac on April 23, 2024, 05:32:06 PMThe NHS in the 6 counties is underfunded, and it is not going to improve much. In the 26 counties it is an honest proposition, we'll charge you unless you are in the poorer half of the population. In the 6 counties the proposition is that everything is free, but we won't see you anytime soon.
This is the most realistic post on this thread.
recently had to use BUPA Private GP which I can get via my work. I had been trying to get a GP appointment for a non urgent thing, but again unless you call between 8.30 and 9 every morning for a time slot later on that day, then you don't really have an option. My surgery actually do offer an appointment a week in advance for mornings only. This is better than most but the nature of my job means that I have work booked 4-6 weeks in advance, I don't finish at the same time each day and can't really cancel it as its block booked appointments. Just a bit frustrating that you can't say ok tell me a date and time in a month from now and I can try and organise around it. You could of course use a days annual leave in the hope you can get through between 8.30 and 9 in the hope you can be seen that day.
Or just suck it up. Amazingly take dentistry get an appointment you get charged if you cancel if they cancel suck it up.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:08:53 PMImagine if you couldn't afford the 100 quid?
Then you keep calling or go to A&E
But it's not the doctors on the ground in local surgeries that are not seeing people, they are full.
It's like that show about covid the other week, was very good, protests outside hospitals people going inside hospitals and videoing the place saying it's empty!
NHS is crumbling, getting health insurance looks like your best bet if you can afford it.
If you can afford it you sound like the I'm OK f**k you, more can't afford than can, and as I alluded before I have yet to see anyone in a waiting room whilst collecting prescriptions, maybe we all need a mate on reception.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:34:22 PMIf you can afford it you sound like the I'm OK f**k you, more can't afford than can, and as I alluded before I have yet to see anyone in a waiting room whilst collecting prescriptions, maybe we all need a mate on reception.
I said keep phoning or go to A&E
So just so I get right, you are saying they are doing nothing? Sitting in empty gp surgeries doing nowt?
I do work in a GP surgery 5 days a week, I can confirm it's flat out
So plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Just keep phoning, the empty surgery.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 12:14:11 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Just keep phoning, the empty surgery.
Pretty sad response, an individual pitting his experience via knowing the local receptionist and having a few pounds over the masses, poor pensioners ringing will just give up if they can't get through but what do you care.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 03:59:33 PMI had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that.
Not really. They are following national guidelines. Sudden onset chest pain needs urgent assessment to rule out cardiac cause. Only thing a GP surgery can do is an ECG which will result in you going to hospital anyway for bloods to confirm a MI or whatever it may be. Can't do those in a GP surgery, so going there is a waste of everyone's time including yours (which you may not have.)
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 06:13:39 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 12:14:11 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Just keep phoning, the empty surgery.
Pretty sad response, an individual pitting his experience via knowing the local receptionist and having a few pounds over the masses, poor pensioners ringing will just give up if they can't get through but what do you care.
Again you're using your own experience (as am I) different surgeries than have different methods.
Your beef is with your own surgery, claiming that the GP's are sitting about doing nowt. Well that's just bollox.
You sound like another public server basher. You pay taxes, it doesn't mean you get automatic service.
If you want a better service we've got to pay more taxes to get it.
But you keep telling me how lucky I am for knowing a receptionist and how lucky my wife had £100 quid available to see a private doctor.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 07:21:47 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 03:59:33 PMI had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that.
Not really. They are following national guidelines. Sudden onset chest pain needs urgent assessment to rule out cardiac cause. Only thing a GP surgery can do is an ECG which will result in you going to hospital anyway for bloods to confirm a MI or whatever it may be. Can't do those in a GP surgery, so going there is a waste of everyone's time including yours (which you may not have.)
My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks, this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E, I didn't get to speak to a doctor and spent the whole day in A&E apologising to various medical professionals for taking up their time as they were all flat to the mat - if only I had her mobile number!
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 07:24:39 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 06:13:39 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 12:14:11 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Just keep phoning, the empty surgery.
Pretty sad response, an individual pitting his experience via knowing the local receptionist and having a few pounds over the masses, poor pensioners ringing will just give up if they can't get through but what do you care.
Again you're using your own experience (as am I) different surgeries than have different methods.
Your beef is with your own surgery, claiming that the GP's are sitting about doing nowt. Well that's just bollox.
You sound like another public server basher. You pay taxes, it doesn't mean you get automatic service.
If you want a better service we've got to pay more taxes to get it.
But you keep telling me how lucky I am for knowing a receptionist and how lucky my wife had £100 quid available to see a private doctor.
I have never once said that, I said I go once a week and at differing times and the surgery is empty, I have no clue what they are doing, telephone triage, video call, house calls, private work, I don't know, my beef as you put it is not with my surgery but how unfair it is in general, you don't care as you can text your receptionist and jump the queue or pay 100 quid when your mate is on holidays or whatever. A 75 year old with COPD struggling and needing a course of steriods and an antibiotic has to ring up and if the poor crater can't get through they will give up, if they do get through and told there is no appointment and ring back, they'll give up, appointments should be able to be booked like pre-covid, oh yes Mrs Smith I could book you in tomorrow at 10am, it don't happen anymore, with that I bid you adieu.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 07:37:05 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 07:21:47 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 03:59:33 PMI had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that.
Not really. They are following national guidelines. Sudden onset chest pain needs urgent assessment to rule out cardiac cause. Only thing a GP surgery can do is an ECG which will result in you going to hospital anyway for bloods to confirm a MI or whatever it may be. Can't do those in a GP surgery, so going there is a waste of everyone's time including yours (which you may not have.)
My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks, this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E, I didn't get to speak to a doctor and spent the whole day in A&E apologising to various medical professionals for taking up their time as they were all flat to the mat - if only I had her mobile number!
If you explained that to the receptionist then they have got it wrong.
You think it was her decision - I explained everything when I eventually got through, she obviously brought the information to the doctor who made the decision, can't be arsed mentioned chest pain send him to A&E, her phone back was direct to the point and then she hung up, so there was no conversation to be had.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 07:44:46 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 07:24:39 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 06:13:39 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 12:14:11 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Just keep phoning, the empty surgery.
Pretty sad response, an individual pitting his experience via knowing the local receptionist and having a few pounds over the masses, poor pensioners ringing will just give up if they can't get through but what do you care.
Again you're using your own experience (as am I) different surgeries than have different methods.
Your beef is with your own surgery, claiming that the GP's are sitting about doing nowt. Well that's just bollox.
You sound like another public server basher. You pay taxes, it doesn't mean you get automatic service.
If you want a better service we've got to pay more taxes to get it.
But you keep telling me how lucky I am for knowing a receptionist and how lucky my wife had £100 quid available to see a private doctor.
I have never once said that, I said I go once a week and at differing times and the surgery is empty, I have no clue what they are doing, telephone triage, video call, house calls, private work, I don't know, my beef as you put it is not with my surgery but how unfair it is in general, you don't care as you can text your receptionist and jump the queue or pay 100 quid when your mate is on holidays or whatever. A 75 year old with COPD struggling and needing a course of steriods and an antibiotic has to ring up and if the poor crater can't get through they will give up, if they do get through and told there is no appointment and ring back, they'll give up, appointments should be able to be booked like pre-covid, oh yes Mrs Smith I could book you in tomorrow at 10am, it don't happen anymore, with that I bid you adieu.
Take that frustration out on your MP/MLA, whoever that may be.
As much as the Tories and their austerity is meant to do as exactly what MR2 and lots of others has done and drive people into the arms of private medicine I've no real confidence that Wes Streeting will reverse much of that when Labour get into power and that's the frightening thing.
Micky Brady are you for f**king real!
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 07:44:46 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 07:24:39 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 06:13:39 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 12:14:11 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Just keep phoning, the empty surgery.
Pretty sad response, an individual pitting his experience via knowing the local receptionist and having a few pounds over the masses, poor pensioners ringing will just give up if they can't get through but what do you care.
Again you're using your own experience (as am I) different surgeries than have different methods.
Your beef is with your own surgery, claiming that the GP's are sitting about doing nowt. Well that's just bollox.
You sound like another public server basher. You pay taxes, it doesn't mean you get automatic service.
If you want a better service we've got to pay more taxes to get it.
But you keep telling me how lucky I am for knowing a receptionist and how lucky my wife had £100 quid available to see a private doctor.
I have never once said that, I said I go once a week and at differing times and the surgery is empty, I have no clue what they are doing, telephone triage, video call, house calls, private work, I don't know, my beef as you put it is not with my surgery but how unfair it is in general, you don't care as you can text your receptionist and jump the queue or pay 100 quid when your mate is on holidays or whatever. A 75 year old with COPD struggling and needing a course of steriods and an antibiotic has to ring up and if the poor crater can't get through they will give up, if they do get through and told there is no appointment and ring back, they'll give up, appointments should be able to be booked like pre-covid, oh yes Mrs Smith I could book you in tomorrow at 10am, it don't happen anymore, with that I bid you adieu.
Never ever were you able to get an appointment the next day at 10am. More like 3 or 4 weeks time! Do we really want to go back to that system?
Big part of the problem now is waiting lists for secondary care are through the roof. Those people are going to their GP day in day out for acute management in the meantime.
MPs and MLA's aren't answering the phone in the here and now, what world do we live in where someone's gym mate has priority over someone else, or where a doctor won't see you in their own surgery but will in another if you pony up 75 quid.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 09:04:06 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 07:44:46 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 07:24:39 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 06:13:39 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 12:14:11 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:50:08 PMSo plebs paying their taxes no mates on GP reception pay for a taxi abandon their family for 6 hour wait in a&e for minor ailments because they can't afford 100 pound a pop.
Just keep phoning, the empty surgery.
Pretty sad response, an individual pitting his experience via knowing the local receptionist and having a few pounds over the masses, poor pensioners ringing will just give up if they can't get through but what do you care.
Again you're using your own experience (as am I) different surgeries than have different methods.
Your beef is with your own surgery, claiming that the GP's are sitting about doing nowt. Well that's just bollox.
You sound like another public server basher. You pay taxes, it doesn't mean you get automatic service.
If you want a better service we've got to pay more taxes to get it.
But you keep telling me how lucky I am for knowing a receptionist and how lucky my wife had £100 quid available to see a private doctor.
I have never once said that, I said I go once a week and at differing times and the surgery is empty, I have no clue what they are doing, telephone triage, video call, house calls, private work, I don't know, my beef as you put it is not with my surgery but how unfair it is in general, you don't care as you can text your receptionist and jump the queue or pay 100 quid when your mate is on holidays or whatever. A 75 year old with COPD struggling and needing a course of steriods and an antibiotic has to ring up and if the poor crater can't get through they will give up, if they do get through and told there is no appointment and ring back, they'll give up, appointments should be able to be booked like pre-covid, oh yes Mrs Smith I could book you in tomorrow at 10am, it don't happen anymore, with that I bid you adieu.
Never ever were you able to get an appointment the next day at 10am. More like 3 or 4 weeks time! Do we really want to go back to that system?
Big part of the problem now is waiting lists for secondary care are through the roof. Those people are going to their GP day in day out for acute management in the meantime.
Yes you could, you could also get a house visit pre covid for an eldery person or someone very sick, that would be in the realms of fantasy now. As for people going to their GP day in day out - who are these folk, you can't get to see a GP.
GPs still do house visits. Every day.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 09:04:48 AMMPs and MLA's aren't answering the phone in the here and now, what world do we live in where someone's gym mate has priority over someone else, or where a doctor won't see you in their own surgery but will in another if you pony up 75 quid.
If you need £75 I can pony that up for you, just to shut you up for starters ;)
Once Ireland is united we'll be fine, no waiting about
Your arrogance is astounding.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 06:20:15 PMYeah f**k you jack I am OK.
This is an outstanding summation based on your total ignorance of the system and how it works.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on April 23, 2024, 07:00:57 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:55:14 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
GP Practices have a limited number of sessions, even if they decided to go part time it would not impact on the number of appointments available at your practice. Most Doctors who leave HSC GP work do so because they can no longer put up with the insane work load.
Insane workload? 9-6 with a few hrs off for paperwork and calls in my local surgery. As you have said the GPs have limited availability which hasn't changed despite the massive uptick in need so how is their workload insane? The biggest complaint the seem to have is that they were being taxed too highly on their pension fund.
The pension situation applies to a small number of older GP's. GP's have 8 minutes for a consultation, 2 minutes to write up notes, need to fit in call backs to patients, do house calls, triage patients and run what is effectively a stand alone business, they do not even have time for lunch and have been funding cost increases out of their own pockets, after 10 years of training. That is why we cannot attract or retain GP's. Your assessment is based on a lack of understanding of how the system functions or doesn't in this case.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:34:22 PMIf you can afford it you sound like the I'm OK f**k you, more can't afford than can, and as I alluded before I have yet to see anyone in a waiting room whilst collecting prescriptions, maybe we all need a mate on reception.
That is because appointments are now strictly controlled and walkins are no longer allowed. GP's have no space for further appointments.
Quote from: JoG2 on April 23, 2024, 09:59:06 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
Couple of health centres in Derry are starting to offer the private consultations at £75 a pop. These appointments will only be outside the core hours, ie after 6pm as far as I know.
* huge amount of last minute cancellations / no shows
* staff members getting serious abuse. A woman working in one of the larger health centres in the town told me 4 admin staff left within a week of each other. They didn't have other jobs to go to at the time, just couldn't listen to any more dung
* dozens of prescriptions like 'brufen and paracetamol which cost a quid in the supermarket costing £40+ when got through a health centre
* repeat patients, and I'm talking of a lot of folk calling each and every day with different ailments
* queues for sick lines
* general levels of entitlement and abuse of the system
The above and many more issues aren't helping things
100%
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2024, 10:10:06 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 10:00:49 PMQuote from: Puckoon on April 23, 2024, 06:42:24 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 06:20:15 PMYeah f**k you jack I am OK.
You're putting the blame at the GPs door for taking on a legal practice activity? What moral obligation do they have to get f**ked by a broken system?
Successive Prime Ministers, Health Ministers drove the place into the ground. Some moral obligation to be the last violinist on the Titanic.
Did they pay privately to be trained?
Is the course to be a doctor free?
Absolutely not, it costs about £15K pa to do medicine with only a small student loan.
Quote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 10:20:35 PMNo university course is free now, are you a doctor after a medical course or do you need advice, training and guidance via a paid private sector company or is that provided by say the NHS in the occupied 6?
Insurance, training and exams to be a GP are funded in the UK by the NHS, in NI the Dr pays for it themselves. The Final GP exam alone costs £2000 which the Dr pays.
Quote from: Tony Baloney on April 23, 2024, 07:00:57 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:55:14 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
GP Practices have a limited number of sessions, even if they decided to go part time it would not impact on the number of appointments available at your practice. Most Doctors who leave HSC GP work do so because they can no longer put up with the insane work load.
Insane workload? 9-6 with a few hrs off for paperwork and calls in my local surgery. As you have said the GPs have limited availability which hasn't changed despite the massive uptick in need so how is their workload insane? The biggest complaint the seem to have is that they were being taxed too highly on their pension fund.
Insane workload?
You try dealing with spoofers every day of your working life telling you lies about how sick they are (so they can get their sickline for another month).
Even the ones that actually are sick continue to eat nothing but shite, smoke 40 bines a day, drink every night of the week and the most exercise they do is getting up to go the fridge.
Try sitting in a room with an alcoholic who can't help themselves, drug addicts, gambling addicts, vulnerable people self-harming having suicidal thoughts, domestic abuse victims.
Few hours off for paperwork is an understatement, try a few hours at home every night and bringing it home most weekends. Add in patient relationships, GPs taking time to visit wakes, attending funerals etc.
Is it any wonder so many of them are going private along with consultants and nurses. The system is completely fucked from top to bottom and I wouldn't blame anyone working in healthcare cos I would do the exact same.
Quote from: Applesisapples on April 24, 2024, 10:06:24 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 11:34:22 PMIf you can afford it you sound like the I'm OK f**k you, more can't afford than can, and as I alluded before I have yet to see anyone in a waiting room whilst collecting prescriptions, maybe we all need a mate on reception.
That is because appointments are now strictly controlled and walkins are no longer allowed. GP's have no space for further appointments.
Certainly no space 12 to 5 every wednesday in my surgery where that is staff training.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 07:37:05 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 07:21:47 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 03:59:33 PMI had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that.
Not really. They are following national guidelines. Sudden onset chest pain needs urgent assessment to rule out cardiac cause. Only thing a GP surgery can do is an ECG which will result in you going to hospital anyway for bloods to confirm a MI or whatever it may be. Can't do those in a GP surgery, so going there is a waste of everyone's time including yours (which you may not have.)
My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks, this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E, I didn't get to speak to a doctor and spent the whole day in A&E apologising to various medical professionals for taking up their time as they were all flat to the mat - if only I had her mobile number!
Are you for real, MR @ has already told you why A&E is the best place. My wife had chest pain recently and we went straight to A&E, took 36 hours, but that's another story.
Quote from: Applesisapples on April 24, 2024, 10:15:42 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 07:37:05 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 07:21:47 AMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 03:59:33 PMI had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that.
Not really. They are following national guidelines. Sudden onset chest pain needs urgent assessment to rule out cardiac cause. Only thing a GP surgery can do is an ECG which will result in you going to hospital anyway for bloods to confirm a MI or whatever it may be. Can't do those in a GP surgery, so going there is a waste of everyone's time including yours (which you may not have.)
My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks, this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E, I didn't get to speak to a doctor and spent the whole day in A&E apologising to various medical professionals for taking up their time as they were all flat to the mat - if only I had her mobile number!
Are you for real, MR @ has already told you why A&E is the best place. My wife had chest pain recently and we went straight to A&E, took 36 hours, but that's another story.
Are you for real one symptom was chest pain - no way was I having a heart attack it was there for 6 weeks but NO doctor would speak to me, pass the buck no wonder your wife was in A&E for 36 hours everyone is being sent there as they cant see a GP!
Quote from: Tony Baloney on April 23, 2024, 07:00:57 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:55:14 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
GP Practices have a limited number of sessions, even if they decided to go part time it would not impact on the number of appointments available at your practice. Most Doctors who leave HSC GP work do so because they can no longer put up with the insane work load.
Insane workload? 9-6 with a few hrs off for paperwork and calls in my local surgery. As you have said the GPs have limited availability which hasn't changed despite the massive uptick in need so how is their workload insane? The biggest complaint the seem to have is that they were being taxed too highly on their pension fund.
It isn't 9-6 though is it. Its 8-6, with a few hours of remote access to do coding, redact notes and to process hospital letters in the evening after the children are in bed. If the life of a GP is so easy, why can they not get anyone to do it? That is the real question.
Also don't understand why time to process letters from secondary care and to do calls is considered "time off" in your eyes.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 10:21:05 AMQuote from: Tony Baloney on April 23, 2024, 07:00:57 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:55:14 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2024, 04:32:40 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 23, 2024, 04:15:36 PMQuote from: Tones on April 23, 2024, 02:38:10 PMMy friends aunt was up from the South, needed to see a doctor, paid £75 quid to see one in a private clinic in Armagh ran by an ex Tyrones missus, the doctor she saw is the doctor I would see if I ever got an appointment!
That Doctor is in all likelihood taking those shifts because his or her practice can not give them any more shifts. Not the fault of the GP but the system.
I dont think so. Went part time (or just left) NHS to go into the private sector.
GP Practices have a limited number of sessions, even if they decided to go part time it would not impact on the number of appointments available at your practice. Most Doctors who leave HSC GP work do so because they can no longer put up with the insane work load.
Insane workload? 9-6 with a few hrs off for paperwork and calls in my local surgery. As you have said the GPs have limited availability which hasn't changed despite the massive uptick in need so how is their workload insane? The biggest complaint the seem to have is that they were being taxed too highly on their pension fund.
It isn't 9-6 though is it. Its 8-6, with a few hours of remote access to do coding, redact notes and to process hospital letters in the evening after the children are in bed. If the life of a GP is so easy, why can they not get anyone to do it? That is the real question.
Also don't understand why time to process letters from secondary care and to do calls is considered "time off" in your eyes.
You are not going to win with Tones, he is either deliberately winding or has some sort of axe to grind.
What a ridiculous statement - axe to grind! The title is GP's & Hospitals - What is going on - the answer is you cannot get a GP appointment and everyone is ending up at A&E and hence its all fucked!
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:25:14 AMWhat a ridiculous statement - axe to grind! The title is GP's & Hospitals - What is going on - the answer is you cannot get a GP appointment and everyone is ending up at A&E and hence its all fucked!
I don't know what you expect surgeries to do though. Do you want them to see people to 12 o clock at night everyday? There are only physically so many people who can be dealt with in one working day.
Firstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 10:34:29 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:25:14 AMWhat a ridiculous statement - axe to grind! The title is GP's & Hospitals - What is going on - the answer is you cannot get a GP appointment and everyone is ending up at A&E and hence its all fucked!
I don't know what you expect surgeries to do though. Do you want them to see people to 12 o clock at night everyday? There are only physically so many people who can be dealt with in one working day.
But you are paying their wages.. you should have them on tap
A man who openly abuses a broken system to skip the queue tries to be a smart arse, you couldn't make it up.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:02:49 AMA man who openly abuses a broken system to skip the queue tries to be a smart arse, you couldn't make it up.
Says the man that makes up illnesses to get seen and wonders why the system is broken, also thinks the doctors sit about all day doing nowt.
Your a very angry lad. You'll end up with stress
Wait till he has to pay for water ;D
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:06:51 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:02:49 AMA man who openly abuses a broken system to skip the queue tries to be a smart arse, you couldn't make it up.
Says the man that makes up illnesses to get seen and wonders why the system is broken, also thinks the doctors sit about all day doing nowt.
Your a very angry lad. You'll end up with stress
I changed symptoms didn't mention chest pain, unfortunately don't gym with my surgery's receptionist so couldn't skip the queue with a quick text and block some other poor unfortunate out.
Quote from: Rossfan on April 24, 2024, 11:13:10 AMWait till he has to pay for water ;D
We all pay for water in our rates.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:46:06 AMFirstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Alot of surgeries have this already, but it depends on the number of phone lines coming in to the building. Digital lines are able to cover as many as you want pretty much and will be the norm in 5 years or so.
It also doesn't improve your chances of getting an appointment. There will still be the same amount of people dealt with in a day.
But it would give you a semblance of getting through, ringing 100 times and just getting and engaged tone is soul destroying, then you get a voice mail telling you you will be put through to the next available receptionist and then you get cut off.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:13:51 AMQuote from: Rossfan on April 24, 2024, 11:13:10 AMWait till he has to pay for water ;D
We all pay for water in our rates.
No you don't. This is a popular misconception.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:13:21 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:06:51 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:02:49 AMA man who openly abuses a broken system to skip the queue tries to be a smart arse, you couldn't make it up.
Says the man that makes up illnesses to get seen and wonders why the system is broken, also thinks the doctors sit about all day doing nowt.
Your a very angry lad. You'll end up with stress
I changed symptoms didn't mention chest pain, unfortunately don't gym with my surgery's receptionist so couldn't skip the queue with a quick text and block some other poor unfortunate out.
You're a liar, and not a very good one
"I had similar issue about a year later and
made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that"
Then went on to say
"My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks,
this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E"
So did you mention chest pain or not?
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 11:16:35 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:46:06 AMFirstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Alot of surgeries have this already, but it depends on the number of phone lines coming in to the building. Digital lines are able to cover as many as you want pretty much and will be the norm in 5 years or so.
It also doesn't improve your chances of getting an appointment. There will still be the same amount of people dealt with in a day.
Mine has this. But it can only hold 6/7 people in the queue. Therefore when the queue is filled, you get an engaged tone. 200+ calls to hopefully get onto the queue. Half hour wait from there. Nothing worse than being the next one up and it disconnects.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 11:16:35 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:46:06 AMFirstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Alot of surgeries have this already, but it depends on the number of phone lines coming in to the building. Digital lines are able to cover as many as you want pretty much and will be the norm in 5 years or so.
It also doesn't improve your chances of getting an appointment. There will still be the same amount of people dealt with in a day.
at my doctors if you dont get an appointment in the morning you can ring back and get it recorded that you tried. If this happens 3 days in a row you get a call from the doctor on day 4. I think its a fair system
Quote from: tonto1888 on April 24, 2024, 11:42:10 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 11:16:35 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:46:06 AMFirstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Alot of surgeries have this already, but it depends on the number of phone lines coming in to the building. Digital lines are able to cover as many as you want pretty much and will be the norm in 5 years or so.
It also doesn't improve your chances of getting an appointment. There will still be the same amount of people dealt with in a day.
at my doctors if you dont get an appointment in the morning you can ring back and get it recorded that you tried. If this happens 3 days in a row you get a call from the doctor on day 4. I think its a fair system
Worked in a surgery in Newtownabbey, few years back now, they had the worst system ever, the first 50 that turned up got seen, but had to wait, if you were in line (outside)and were number 51 you had to come back the next day! wind rain snow and sun they queued, all ages too
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:26:42 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:13:21 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:06:51 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:02:49 AMA man who openly abuses a broken system to skip the queue tries to be a smart arse, you couldn't make it up.
Says the man that makes up illnesses to get seen and wonders why the system is broken, also thinks the doctors sit about all day doing nowt.
Your a very angry lad. You'll end up with stress
I changed symptoms didn't mention chest pain, unfortunately don't gym with my surgery's receptionist so couldn't skip the queue with a quick text and block some other poor unfortunate out.
You're a liar, and not a very good one
"I had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that"
Then went on to say
"My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks, this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E"
So did you mention chest pain or not?
A man who openly abuses the system isn't taking being called out too well, ill be very clear I rang mentioned chest pain told to go to A&E, when I rang a year later I give the symptoms without mentioning chest pain and when I saw the doctor then mentioned oh and I have chest pain to - that clear enough for you. You don't have to do anything wee text to your gym buddy to skip the queue and to hell with anyone else.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:46:28 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:26:42 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:13:21 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:06:51 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:02:49 AMA man who openly abuses a broken system to skip the queue tries to be a smart arse, you couldn't make it up.
Says the man that makes up illnesses to get seen and wonders why the system is broken, also thinks the doctors sit about all day doing nowt.
Your a very angry lad. You'll end up with stress
I changed symptoms didn't mention chest pain, unfortunately don't gym with my surgery's receptionist so couldn't skip the queue with a quick text and block some other poor unfortunate out.
You're a liar, and not a very good one
"I had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that"
Then went on to say
"My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks, this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E"
So did you mention chest pain or not?
A man who openly abuses the system isn't taking being called out too well, ill be very clear I rang mentioned chest pain told to go to A&E, when I rang a year later I give the symptoms without mentioning chest pain and when I saw the doctor then mentioned oh and I have chest pain to - that clear enough for you. You don't have to do anything wee text to your gym buddy to skip the queue and to hell with anyone else.
Clear as mud
Your full of shit, caught out and still going on about he gym! I'm here all day for the craic lad, any more spoofs?
Quote from: tonto1888 on April 24, 2024, 11:42:10 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 11:16:35 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:46:06 AMFirstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Alot of surgeries have this already, but it depends on the number of phone lines coming in to the building. Digital lines are able to cover as many as you want pretty much and will be the norm in 5 years or so.
It also doesn't improve your chances of getting an appointment. There will still be the same amount of people dealt with in a day.
at my doctors if you dont get an appointment in the morning you can ring back and get it recorded that you tried. If this happens 3 days in a row you get a call from the doctor on day 4. I think its a fair system
That is a step in the right direction.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:48:28 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:46:28 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:26:42 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:13:21 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:06:51 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:02:49 AMA man who openly abuses a broken system to skip the queue tries to be a smart arse, you couldn't make it up.
Says the man that makes up illnesses to get seen and wonders why the system is broken, also thinks the doctors sit about all day doing nowt.
Your a very angry lad. You'll end up with stress
I changed symptoms didn't mention chest pain, unfortunately don't gym with my surgery's receptionist so couldn't skip the queue with a quick text and block some other poor unfortunate out.
You're a liar, and not a very good one
"I had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that"
Then went on to say
"My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks, this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E"
So did you mention chest pain or not?
A man who openly abuses the system isn't taking being called out too well, ill be very clear I rang mentioned chest pain told to go to A&E, when I rang a year later I give the symptoms without mentioning chest pain and when I saw the doctor then mentioned oh and I have chest pain to - that clear enough for you. You don't have to do anything wee text to your gym buddy to skip the queue and to hell with anyone else.
Clear as mud
Your full of shit, caught out and still going on about he gym! I'm here all day for the craic lad, any more spoofs?
Caught out!! You obviously can't read just send texts what is it - R U able to get me an appointment 2day, fit me is around 2?
Explain how I was caught out or dry your eyes kid.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2024, 02:47:53 PMMy surgery is like that also, 200 calls, and still no appointments, but they are seeing people its not like they are sitting playing Candy crush all day
I'm lucky enough that the girl that's on reception went to the same gym and I'll send her a text and get sorted ;)
Not what ya know and all that
Just so we are all clear on the contempt you have for those struggling to get appointments. Ill keep posting this the wink says it all.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:49:55 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:48:28 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:46:28 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:26:42 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:13:21 AMQuote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 11:06:51 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:02:49 AMA man who openly abuses a broken system to skip the queue tries to be a smart arse, you couldn't make it up.
Says the man that makes up illnesses to get seen and wonders why the system is broken, also thinks the doctors sit about all day doing nowt.
Your a very angry lad. You'll end up with stress
I changed symptoms didn't mention chest pain, unfortunately don't gym with my surgery's receptionist so couldn't skip the queue with a quick text and block some other poor unfortunate out.
You're a liar, and not a very good one
"I had similar issue about a year later and made up symptoms to see a GP as if I had of mentioned chest pain they wouldn't have seen me, how ridiculous is that"
Then went on to say
"My issue included chest pain which was present for over 6 weeks, this I explained to the receptionist who rang me back and said go to A&E"
So did you mention chest pain or not?
A man who openly abuses the system isn't taking being called out too well, ill be very clear I rang mentioned chest pain told to go to A&E, when I rang a year later I give the symptoms without mentioning chest pain and when I saw the doctor then mentioned oh and I have chest pain to - that clear enough for you. You don't have to do anything wee text to your gym buddy to skip the queue and to hell with anyone else.
Clear as mud
Your full of shit, caught out and still going on about he gym! I'm here all day for the craic lad, any more spoofs?
Caught out!! You obviously can't read just send texts what is it - R U able to get me an appointment 2day, fit me is around 2?
Openly makes things up at the surgery, you need to stop smoking, that will sort your chest pain out. That diagnoses is free
You are smoking something, good luck to you, you obviously are a complete halfwit.
Quote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:54:44 AMYou are smoking something, good luck to you, you obviously are a complete halfwit.
Hmmm
Halfwit, rich coming from someone who doesn't have a clue what then GP's are doing then goes on complaining about them, by your own words, not having a clue what they do.
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 24, 2024, 12:00:19 PMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 11:54:44 AMYou are smoking something, good luck to you, you obviously are a complete halfwit.
Hmmm
Halfwit, rich coming from someone who doesn't have a clue what then GP's are doing then goes on complaining about them, by your own words, not having a clue what they do.
Try English - you aren't texting your gym buddy for an appointment here.
Quote from: tonto1888 on April 24, 2024, 11:42:10 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 11:16:35 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:46:06 AMFirstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Alot of surgeries have this already, but it depends on the number of phone lines coming in to the building. Digital lines are able to cover as many as you want pretty much and will be the norm in 5 years or so.
It also doesn't improve your chances of getting an appointment. There will still be the same amount of people dealt with in a day.
at my doctors if you dont get an appointment in the morning you can ring back and get it recorded that you tried. If this happens 3 days in a row you get a call from the doctor on day 4. I think its a fair system
Same with mine
Quote from: Applesisapples on April 24, 2024, 12:24:47 PMQuote from: tonto1888 on April 24, 2024, 11:42:10 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 11:16:35 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:46:06 AMFirstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Alot of surgeries have this already, but it depends on the number of phone lines coming in to the building. Digital lines are able to cover as many as you want pretty much and will be the norm in 5 years or so.
It also doesn't improve your chances of getting an appointment. There will still be the same amount of people dealt with in a day.
at my doctors if you dont get an appointment in the morning you can ring back and get it recorded that you tried. If this happens 3 days in a row you get a call from the doctor on day 4. I think its a fair system
Same with mine
is yours in Lurgan by any chance haha
Quote from: tonto1888 on April 24, 2024, 01:36:47 PMQuote from: Applesisapples on April 24, 2024, 12:24:47 PMQuote from: tonto1888 on April 24, 2024, 11:42:10 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 24, 2024, 11:16:35 AMQuote from: Tones on April 24, 2024, 10:46:06 AMFirstly it would be valuable to put a phone queue system in place to say you have reached such and such surgery you are now 15 in the queue, it would help a lot of folk especially older folk and give you some semblance of getting somewhere instead of redialling 100 times only to be told there is no appointment. I would save some appointments each morning for very vulnerable people who ring in after the 8.30 deadline so they can be seen the next morning, it would be great if a doctor rang back instead of a receptionist to say go to A&E instead they are so protected it's impossible to get speaking to them.
Alot of surgeries have this already, but it depends on the number of phone lines coming in to the building. Digital lines are able to cover as many as you want pretty much and will be the norm in 5 years or so.
It also doesn't improve your chances of getting an appointment. There will still be the same amount of people dealt with in a day.
at my doctors if you dont get an appointment in the morning you can ring back and get it recorded that you tried. If this happens 3 days in a row you get a call from the doctor on day 4. I think its a fair system
Same with mine
is yours in Lurgan by any chance haha
;)