I just had a video call with my son, who just told me he tried to make a GP appointment, succeeded but in 2 weeks time. I'm in a so call 3rd world country and needed last week to see a GP, and was seen in 30 minutes. I did have to pay, cost me £2 which included the cost of antibiotics. There is something seriously wrong.
Believe it or not John and based on my own personal experience,he's actually been fortunate ...I couldn't tell you the last time I saw a G.P!!! I phoned for an appointment yesterday,(got a bite from a horse fly about a week ago,it's infected and developed into some sort of cellulitis and the pain has transferred into my upper arm muscles),got a call back from a practice nurse and she told me to go to the chemist under the ' minor ailments' system. Anyway,the chemists had a look,prescribed antibiotics,antihistamine and hydrocortisone creams and told me to come back if it gets any worse... In short....We're being passed down to chemists now!!!!
I know this is ironically only a sticking plaster, but for things like that I find the walk ins tend to be good. Might be the times I’ve gone (evening usually) but I’ve popped to the one on Story Street and been in and out, and with a prescription picked up from the chemist opposite, really quickly. I know that might be quite a walk for you, but just sticking here for others if needed. Doesn’t mean there aren’t NHS issues, there are, but I thought it was a pretty good service.
I could be wrong DBT but I don't think we have them?(Not that your point isn't a good one and worth putting out there). Scotland has 'some sort' of devolved health system(according to the politicians in the majority in Holyrood,we're far better than the other U.K countries,spin,I know)??? I know if my Daughter's have had any problems with the little uns out of hours ,they need to phone this NHS 24 helpline,who then refer them to some sort of 'walk in' surgery in Motherwell(half an hour drive away) but that's by referral only. I think because of this and due to people panicking,especially with kids,people are using A&E as their first port of call,this in turn has placed extreme pressure on our Hospitals? As you rightly say,the NHS has issues,it's a mess for sure.. Edit....This
A servant asked the lady of the house for a pay rise. ”Give me three reasons why I should give you a rise” said the lady. ”I can iron better than you” said the servant girl. ”Who told you that” asked the lady. ”Your husband” she replied. “Secondly, I can cook better than you” ”Who told you that” asked the lady. ”Your husband” she replied. ”Thirdly, I can make love better than you” said the servant. ”I suppose my husband told you that” said the lady angrily. ”No, it was the gardener” said the servant. ”How much do you want?” Said the lady.
Never understood why they don’t put a large walking GP surgery next to A&E tbh. Broken bones & near deaths that way…sniffles and rashes that way What do I know
I was in Cyprus on holiday a while back and from memory everyone had to pay a nominal fee of about £10 each time they wanted to see a doctor. This cut down people that go with minor problems, who probably had a cold or something, and also people that made appointments and never turned up. I always felt that was a good idea.
