My friend phones his doctor. "Can I see the doctor tomorrow?"
"Phone in the morning. We only book appointments for the same day."
Why is that?" my friend asks.
"The government say we have to see everyone with 24 hours. This way we do."
This means that someone can phone for an appointment and be refused because it would spoil statics.
Is that an improvement.
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NHS, logic?
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It's not. I've had a really bad water infection and had to wait 3 days to have it treated, each time I rang I was told "the list is full ring back at lunchtime", and so on. I'm now on an extended course of antibiotics because it wasn't caught first thing.
Apparently, the new PM is going to be making the NHS his first priority... we'll see
Apparently, the new PM is going to be making the NHS his first priority... we'll see
What a load of tosh - i made my appointment nearly two weeks ago and it's not till a week on Monday!!! Granted, it's routine stuff - i'm not on my deathbed but it's still not a 24 hour thing is it?
I love the "emergency appointments" - you know - when they say " with Dr Arsewipe" so you get there at and finally get to see the fecker sometime just before 1 when he's really pissed off cos he's about to miss lunch so prescribes you whatever you want just to get you out the door.
the recpetionists ..... grrrrr
"what is it for?" - like i'm gonna tell you, you glorified pen-pusher - that's why I asked to see a doctor ffs - you know, the guy who's done years of training to get his own little office and stethoscope not some daft bint in a polyester blouse who's taken a course on assertiveness and is now some kind of medical dominatrix in brogues and an A line.
Jeeez, bit early for a rant, sorry!
I love the "emergency appointments" - you know - when they say " with Dr Arsewipe" so you get there at and finally get to see the fecker sometime just before 1 when he's really pissed off cos he's about to miss lunch so prescribes you whatever you want just to get you out the door.
the recpetionists ..... grrrrr
"what is it for?" - like i'm gonna tell you, you glorified pen-pusher - that's why I asked to see a doctor ffs - you know, the guy who's done years of training to get his own little office and stethoscope not some daft bint in a polyester blouse who's taken a course on assertiveness and is now some kind of medical dominatrix in brogues and an A line.
Jeeez, bit early for a rant, sorry!
My GP has a good system where they will ring you if you can't get to see them in the morning and they will decide whether an appointment is needed before Xmas 2010!
As for the Spanish Inquisition ( aka Doc's receptionists ) if they ask what it's for, tell them it's a private matter and they have to accept that. Failing that, just quote 'doctor-patient confidentiality' and that shuts em up too
though make sure they've given you your appointment BEFORE you say that or you'll be waiting for a month of sundays!
As for the Spanish Inquisition ( aka Doc's receptionists ) if they ask what it's for, tell them it's a private matter and they have to accept that. Failing that, just quote 'doctor-patient confidentiality' and that shuts em up too
though make sure they've given you your appointment BEFORE you say that or you'll be waiting for a month of sundays! Quote by Marya_NortheastGo on rant. That's what I was doing.
What a load of tosh - i made my appointment nearly two weeks ago and it's not till a week on Monday!!! Granted, it's routine stuff - i'm not on my deathbed but it's still not a 24 hour thing is it?
I love the "emergency appointments" - you know - when they say " with Dr Arsewipe" so you get there at and finally get to see the fecker sometime just before 1 when he's really pissed off cos he's about to miss lunch so prescribes you whatever you want just to get you out the door.
the recpetionists ..... grrrrr
"what is it for?" - like i'm gonna tell you, you glorified pen-pusher - that's why I asked to see a doctor ffs - you know, the guy who's done years of training to get his own little office and stethoscope not some daft bint in a polyester blouse who's taken a course on assertiveness and is now some kind of medical dominatrix in brogues and an A line.
Jeeez, bit early for a rant, sorry!
It is just the way this surgery is hitting it's target to see people quickly. I grant it is not the same all over.
Quote by Marya_Northeast
the recpetionists ..... grrrrr
"what is it for?" - like i'm gonna tell you, you glorified pen-pusher - that's why I asked to see a doctor ffs - you know, the guy who's done years of training to get his own little office and stethoscope not some daft bint in a polyester blouse who's taken a course on assertiveness and is now some kind of medical dominatrix in brogues and an A line.
Jeeez, bit early for a rant, sorry!
:laughabove: :laughabove: :laughabove:
Quote by jaymar
Apparently, the new PM is going to be making the NHS his first priority... we'll see
Mar your an intelligent woman I dont think you would be that fooled, the new UN-ELECTED PM is going to be doing everything he can to stay in office and if that means more TRICKS to meet TARTGETS then thats what he will do.
I have never been abale to understand how you can have targets on a persons health when there are too many variables in the recovery process
: Quote by Sassy-Seren
My GP has a good system where they will ring you if you can't get to see them in the morning
Yep we have that except if you're on the loo you are snookered as it's one phone call only, they leave a message and go back to surgery, (so the very nice Receptionists say....
)As for the Spanish Inquisition ( aka Doc's receptionists ) if they ask what it's for, tell them it's a private matter and they have to accept that. Failing that, just quote 'doctor-patient confidentiality' and that shuts em up too
Good advice. I got "how do you think you have a water infection?" well I'm no expert otherwise I'd be on so many thousands per year, but the fact it feels like I'm peeing out glass is a good indication!
Quote by Ukwineman
Apparently, the new PM is going to be making the NHS his first priority... we'll see
Mar your an intelligent woman I dont think you would be that fooled, the new UN-ELECTED PM is going to be doing everything he can to stay in office and if that means more TRICKS to meet TARTGETS then thats what he will do.
I have never been abale to understand how you can have targets on a persons health when there are too many variables in the recovery process
:You are quite right hun, and I think
He said improving access to healthcare outside normal working hours would be "serving the needs of the people" but avoided the suggestion that productivity within the NHS had fallen in the last decade.
and
Gordon Brown promised to restore trust in politics, in what will inevitably be seen as a criticism of Tony Blair's leadership style.
doesn't quite cut it with me either... seeing will be believing!
Sexpert
Firstly the Government do not say that everyone has to be seen within 24 hours at a GP Surgery. The access to appointments and the targets that relate to them are quite clear.
If a patient wishes to do so, they are entitled to see a Health Care Professional within 24 hours, therefore the Practice must be able at all times to offer an appointment within 24 hours, or by the end of the next working day, failure to be able to offer an appointment that is bookable at the time of contact, is a breach of the targets.
A patient is also entitled to see a GP within 48 hours, or 2 working days, and have an appointment booked for them if they wish to do so. The appointments that should be made available for these targets are not emergency appointments.
Any practice who are unable to provide either of the above, must have an alternative working arrangement in place so that access is maintained.
The response given as described in the first post, is wrong, and only goes to cause more confusion, and give GP Surgeries a bad name.
If a patient wishes to do so, they are entitled to see a Health Care Professional within 24 hours, therefore the Practice must be able at all times to offer an appointment within 24 hours, or by the end of the next working day, failure to be able to offer an appointment that is bookable at the time of contact, is a breach of the targets.
A patient is also entitled to see a GP within 48 hours, or 2 working days, and have an appointment booked for them if they wish to do so. The appointments that should be made available for these targets are not emergency appointments.
Any practice who are unable to provide either of the above, must have an alternative working arrangement in place so that access is maintained.
The response given as described in the first post, is wrong, and only goes to cause more confusion, and give GP Surgeries a bad name.
Quote by Rising
Firstly the Government do not say that everyone has to be seen within 24 hours at a GP Surgery. The access to appointments and the targets that relate to them are quite clear.
If a patient wishes to do so, they are entitled to see a Health Care Professional within 24 hours, therefore the Practice must be able at all times to offer an appointment within 24 hours, or by the end of the next working day, failure to be able to offer an appointment that is bookable at the time of contact, is a breach of the targets.
A patient is also entitled to see a GP within 48 hours, or 2 working days, and have an appointment booked for them if they wish to do so. The appointments that should be made available for these targets are not emergency appointments.
Any practice who are unable to provide either of the above, must have an alternative working arrangement in place so that access is maintained.
The response given as described in the first post, is wrong, and only goes to cause more confusion, and give GP Surgeries a bad name.
I understand all this and acknowledge your comments Rising, but what if you have really (and I mean really) snotty receptionists (ones who have had complaints before)who when you keep ringing say "nothing this morning - ring back after 12", so you ring back after 12 and you get "sorry all taken, you'll have to ring back in the morning".
You then ring back in the morning and get the same "sorry all gone" plus doctors out on visits. You then say "I'm really angry as I think I have a water infection.." they say "oh why didn't you say so, you would have had been added to a 'triage' list!!" :shock:
That's what I meant before about waiting, if I had have been an elderly person, a water infection could have had terrible consequences. When do these receptionists stop acting like the almighty and gain a little empathy?
Sex God
Don't get me started with the NHS at the min please.....
His has been waiting to see a specialist for six months now :shock: his GP has wrote to them four times asking when the appointment will be.
We recieved one for this month then two days later another letter came stating that this appointment has now been cancelled & has been put back another month
His condition is getting worse as months go by & needs treatment now - not when he is crippled :x
Unfortunately, we can't afford to go private :cry:
His has been waiting to see a specialist for six months now :shock: his GP has wrote to them four times asking when the appointment will be.
We recieved one for this month then two days later another letter came stating that this appointment has now been cancelled & has been put back another month
His condition is getting worse as months go by & needs treatment now - not when he is crippled :x
Unfortunately, we can't afford to go private :cry:
Firstly, there has never been an elected prime minister. The prime minister is the leader of the party with most MPs' after the election. secondly, I have never had any problem either getting a doctors appointment, or a hospital. Although I did have a two week wait to see a consultant once. When I needed an op once they were a bit miffed whan I couldn't go-in the next day....but they fitted me in a few weeks later. Finally (hooray) for those who don't tell the recepionist what they need to see the doctor for...why bother ?.
Who do you think files the notes after ?
Who do you think files the notes after ?
Quote by jaymar
What a load of tosh
What is?
being able to see a doctor within 24 hours.
Or simply that they have any kind of routine, procedure or practice in place at all 'cos it seems to change from one week to the next depending on the goddam receptionist and it's all a load of tosh anyway.
i jsut felt like saying tosh really. Reminds me of the guy who used to be on the Bill. He'd get you a feckin appointment!
Quote by JTS
.... Finally (hooray) for those who don't tell the recepionist what they need to see the doctor for...why bother ?.
Who do you think files the notes after ?
It's not that - i know they know it all anyway and probably love it too. (i know someone who works in as a medical recpetionist and it ain't all confidential!)
It's the principle of having to explain to some faceless twonk on the other end of a phone why i want to see a doctor. They're receptionists not Gate Keepers - though most of 'em seem to think they own the place. Also, knowing that they are sat in an open waiting room spelling out my name and address for all and sundry to hear then asking intimate questions .. it's just not on is it?
I'm nt embarrassed - christ knows, I've handed over stool samples, given birth and had countless smears - my legs are open for humiliation - it's the principle.
i wanna speak to the organ grinder not his self-righteous, up her own arse monkey!
Quote by JTS
I have never had any problem either getting a doctors appointment, or a hospital.
where do you live? or are do you know people on the inside?
lucky you I say, but you are in the minority.Although I did have a two week wait to see a consultant once. When I needed an op once they were a bit miffed whan I couldn't go-in the next day....but they fitted me in a few weeks later.
is this a wind up?... I have carpal tunnel and my first appointment with my consultant was last November, I'm still on the waiting list now? next day? 2 weeks? sorry absolute pants!
Finally (hooray) for those who don't tell the recepionist what they need to see the doctor for...why bother ?.
Who do you think files the notes after ?
yes, they may have a neb at the notes afterwards but what we were saying is that we shouldn't be having to discuss our complaints with them at the initial telephone call stage, they are not qualified nurses/doctors therefore, we are making appointments to see the doctor for a possible illness and therefore it is our right to privacy that we don't need to tell the receptionist what is wrong.
The system needs a radical shake up.. end of.! :lol:
Quote by Marya_Northeast
.... Finally (hooray) for those who don't tell the recepionist what they need to see the doctor for...why bother ?.
Who do you think files the notes after ?
It's not that - i know they know it all anyway and probably love it too. (i know someone who works in as a medical recpetionist and it ain't all confidential!)
It's the principle of having to explain to some faceless twonk on the other end of a phone why i want to see a doctor. They're receptionists not Gate Keepers - though most of 'em seem to think they own the place. Also, knowing that they are sat in an open waiting room spelling out my name and address for all and sundry to hear then asking intimate questions .. it's just not on is it?
I'm nt embarrassed - christ knows, I've handed over stool samples, given birth and had countless smears - my legs are open for humiliation - it's the principle.
i wanna speak to the organ grinder not his self-righteous, up her own arse monkey!
here here!!! :thumbup:
Just a quick aside here.....
I was doing some work experience in a minor injuries unit a while back. I was working with a very experienced Nurse Practitioner.
A mum came in with her daughter, who had fallen on her arm. She was X-rayed, and the NP looked at the X-ray in front of mum and said that everything was fine. Mum then became uppety & said "well I 've loooked at it- what about this bit here?". NP replied "are you a medic?" Mums response- "well I AM a medical secretary" :rolleyes:
I was doing some work experience in a minor injuries unit a while back. I was working with a very experienced Nurse Practitioner.
A mum came in with her daughter, who had fallen on her arm. She was X-rayed, and the NP looked at the X-ray in front of mum and said that everything was fine. Mum then became uppety & said "well I 've loooked at it- what about this bit here?". NP replied "are you a medic?" Mums response- "well I AM a medical secretary" :rolleyes:
Although we also have the same wolf like keepers of the doctors domain aka receptionists I have never had any problem getting an appointment. The automatic response when I ask for an appt is " is it an emergency?" God forbid I should say no So having settled that we have loads of medical emergencies in our house we then move onto the possibility they may have an appt available in 2 weeks time if I'm prepared to take one in unsociable hours. This is where I pull out my trump card. With the words " I'm sorry I need one before that so I will need the Dr to do a home visit please" After a shocked silence on the other end, there is a mad flurry and a cancellation is triumphantly produced if I can get to the surgery within an hour. Sorted .... and it works every time. :twisted:
Oh and the best 1 is getting a blood test done. Just ring this number I'm told and they will give you an appt. So I naively ring the number to be given an appt in 10 days time at Sorry I say. Can't have that 1 as a fasting insulin dependant diabetic I need an appt first thing in the morning. Oh in that case then you can have 1 in 3 weeks time at With which I say oh forget it ... I will go to the hospital tomorrow morning and have it done because they are efficient there. Can't think why the phone is put down rather sharpish on the other end.
So having settled that we have loads of medical emergencies in our house we then move onto the possibility they may have an appt available in 2 weeks time if I'm prepared to take one in unsociable hours. This is where I pull out my trump card. With the words " I'm sorry I need one before that so I will need the Dr to do a home visit please" After a shocked silence on the other end, there is a mad flurry and a cancellation is triumphantly produced if I can get to the surgery within an hour. Sorted .... and it works every time. :twisted:Oh and the best 1 is getting a blood test done. Just ring this number I'm told and they will give you an appt. So I naively ring the number to be given an appt in 10 days time at Sorry I say. Can't have that 1 as a fasting insulin dependant diabetic I need an appt first thing in the morning. Oh in that case then you can have 1 in 3 weeks time at With which I say oh forget it ... I will go to the hospital tomorrow morning and have it done because they are efficient there. Can't think why the phone is put down rather sharpish on the other end.
Sex God
Quote by winchwenchThats tickled me that has
"well I AM a medical secretary" :rolleyes:
:rotflmao: The recetionists don't bother me. Both of the ones at the practice I use are good looking, one is so lovely (blond, olive skinned, lithe.......................................)....anyway...they don't bother me. the only thing that bothers me about medical records is that soon the local council will have access to them as well.....
Sex God
Quote by JTS
The recetionists don't bother me. Both of the ones at the practice I use are good looking, one is so lovely (blond, olive skinned, lithe.......................................)....anyway...they don't bother me. the only thing that bothers me about medical records is that soon the local council will have access to them as well.....
Why ??
Quote by Mallock2006
The recetionists don't bother me. Both of the ones at the practice I use are good looking, one is so lovely (blond, olive skinned, lithe.......................................)....anyway...they don't bother me. the only thing that bothers me about medical records is that soon the local council will have access to them as well.....
Why ??
Sexpert
Quote by jaymar
Firstly the Government do not say that everyone has to be seen within 24 hours at a GP Surgery. The access to appointments and the targets that relate to them are quite clear.
If a patient wishes to do so, they are entitled to see a Health Care Professional within 24 hours, therefore the Practice must be able at all times to offer an appointment within 24 hours, or by the end of the next working day, failure to be able to offer an appointment that is bookable at the time of contact, is a breach of the targets.
A patient is also entitled to see a GP within 48 hours, or 2 working days, and have an appointment booked for them if they wish to do so. The appointments that should be made available for these targets are not emergency appointments.
Any practice who are unable to provide either of the above, must have an alternative working arrangement in place so that access is maintained.
The response given as described in the first post, is wrong, and only goes to cause more confusion, and give GP Surgeries a bad name.
I understand all this and acknowledge your comments Rising, but what if you have really (and I mean really) snotty receptionists (ones who have had complaints before)who when you keep ringing say "nothing this morning - ring back after 12", so you ring back after 12 and you get "sorry all taken, you'll have to ring back in the morning".
You then ring back in the morning and get the same "sorry all gone" plus doctors out on visits. You then say "I'm really angry as I think I have a water infection.." they say "oh why didn't you say so, you would have had been added to a 'triage' list!!" :shock:
That's what I meant before about waiting, if I had have been an elderly person, a water infection could have had terrible consequences. When do these receptionists stop acting like the almighty and gain a little empathy?
It would be wrong for me to try and get away with all receptionists are angels, they are not, and Ive had complaints about the lot of them were I work. However, they are often just following the instructions that they are told to follow, and I can assure you that there life and mine would be a hell of a lot better if there were enough appointments to go round.
But rules are rules, and the access side of General Practice is an additional funding stream to the contract that the GP has to provide services, they should not be telling you to phone back, the key is the 'offering of an appointment' within the guidelines we have to follow, if that is done, then patients must accept that they may not always be seen at a time that is convenient. And it is a two way relationship
Quote by Rising
Firstly the Government do not say that everyone has to be seen within 24 hours at a GP Surgery. The access to appointments and the targets that relate to them are quite clear.
If a patient wishes to do so, they are entitled to see a Health Care Professional within 24 hours, therefore the Practice must be able at all times to offer an appointment within 24 hours, or by the end of the next working day, failure to be able to offer an appointment that is bookable at the time of contact, is a breach of the targets.
A patient is also entitled to see a GP within 48 hours, or 2 working days, and have an appointment booked for them if they wish to do so. The appointments that should be made available for these targets are not emergency appointments.
Any practice who are unable to provide either of the above, must have an alternative working arrangement in place so that access is maintained.
The response given as described in the first post, is wrong, and only goes to cause more confusion, and give GP Surgeries a bad name.
Thank you I will pass that along to my friend. I may not say where it came form.