Getting an appointment with a doctor is like gaining an audience with the Pope
Progress. We have phones now with internet on. We have cars that don’t need servicing for a year at a time. We have hundreds of TV channels.
In fact in the 23 year we have lived in Spalding lots of changes have occurred.
So why is it when you need a doctor’s appointment it’s like getting an audience with the Pope?
Some 23 years ago you phoned a doctor’s surgery on the day you felt poorly and generally got an appointment the same day, if you were prepared to wait at the end of surgery – or the next day at worst.
You generally saw the same doctor and he had an idea who you were.
If you were too ill to get to the surgery or it was after hours you nearly always got to see a doctor.
Today, to get an appointment you have to ring up and tell someone you feel poorly.
Then you have to wait to be called back by a nurse to tell her the symptoms. Then if you are a lucky winner you get to see a doctor.
Today I didn’t even manage a nurse. I got a clerical assistant discussing my medical needs in the waiting room.
And the government wants to give the purse to GPs – God help us.
If there’s too many people on your books – GET SOME MORE DOCTORS.
Tony Martin
Northgate
Pinchbeck
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Weather for Spalding
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
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Comments
There are 6 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
ysandy
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 09:10 PMWell the doctors i have theirs about 200 to 250 failed appointments a month, want to fine them a tenner, just can't be bothered to cancel, and if they keep failing to turn up, strike them of the doctors.
trickyhicky270
Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 10:44 PMProblem is this, too many immigrants (and they are breeding like rabbits), too many retired baby boomers from down south and no more doctors than we had 25 years ago. Its probably easier to get into this country illegally than it is too get an appointment with a GP of your choice at a time that is convenient!
looking after spalding
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 07:31 PMJust do what the eastern europeans do at our surgery. Turn up without an appointment and see one. I have been told that the staff have a job to lock the doors there are so many turning up. They use our surgery waiting room as a meeting place. Those of us who have paid into the NHS sytem for years wouldn't dream of doing that or calling our the ambulance service for someone with flu symptoms! I begrudge also discussing my health problems with a receptionist who will tell me if i am worthy of seeing a nurse and then being judged as to whether i am ill enough to see a doctor.
joggaju
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 01:59 PMTo many wasted appointments - people book them and dont turn up and some go for a slight cold. We do need more Doctors in the area there is no doubting that but I do wish people would think a little more before they take up or worse dont cancel appointments that are not required. Maybe the surgery should fine people for non-cancellation as dentists do.
Mr Angry of Tonbridge
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:42 PMI suspect that being human, our doctors are trying to maximise their earnings. More patients on the books, more money rolls in. It doesn't matter if you don't see them, just so long as you can claim them. Why else would they have premium rate phone numbers? Geographic numbers are included in many phone packages these days but 0844, 0845 etc numbers cost extra. Anyway, if one were to attend the surgery, cough all over the reception staff and sink to the floor......
woody
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 11:16 AMSouth Holland is poorly served by the health service. My advice if you have a real problem is go to the 24hr City Care Clinic & walk -in Centre in Thorpe Road Peterborough - that's next door to where the old hospital was sited.
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