A New Dispensation?

[sandyRoe]

I called to make an appointment with my GP this morning and the receptionist told me I could have a phone conversation with her next Monday morning.
What happened to the days when you go into the consulting room and see your doctor tapping the dottle from his pipe, refilling it, and lighting up?
He'd invite you to sit down and it seemed you'd as long as you liked to explain yourself.

[youngmafbog]

Long gone.

The NHS is a mess, but no one is willing to sort it out from top down. (And yes I know GP's are not directly NHS)

[Bobbisox1]

I had the misfortune to have to ring ours earlier as OH fell ( not alcohol related, he hardly drinks) on Saturday , the lawn is slightly sloped and he toppled toward the fence slashing a nasty cut above his elbow,
The receptionist : We don’t deal with people on blood thinners , he’ll have to go to A& E ….bye
I’m waiting for him to come back , I couldn’t take him as the dog won’t be left by herself

[anneasquith]

Sandy, considering your unexplained jaundice and abdominal lump , I don’t think it would be outrageous of you to ring again and say you wish an appointment sooner .

[Hopkirk]

Thank heavens the days have long gone when a doctor would smoke during the consultation. Did it ever happen?

[sandyRoe]

Hopkirk,
That was just an embellishment to my post. Though there used to be adverts: Nine out of ten doctors recommend Craven 'A', soothes the throat.

[maggiebee]

Hoppy, way back in time, one of the doctors at my surgery smoked like a lum as they say in Scotland. Ashtray always overflowing but he was an excellent doctor and took time to listen. Don't miss the fags and the fog of smoke, but do miss actually talking to a doctor.

[Canary42]

. . . and they wonder why A&E is so overloaded these days. People have no other option when they're anxious about their symptoms but get absolutely no support from Jobsworth receptionists.

I remember when my brother took his young daughter along to a surgery and was faced with the usual obstructionist dragon on reception, whereupon his daughter threw up all over the reception floor - dragon panicked and immediately summoned the doctor and he emerged most willing to help.

[douglas9401]

They give the impression that they now hold the whip and they'll bloody-well beat us with it.

It's just another job these days.

To say I'm disappointed with health workers and their new-found militancy is an understatement.

[Electrochem]

Those days are long gone! At my surgery, receptionists have been told to ask why an appointment is requested. It comes from the doctors, so they are only doing what they are asked to do. For some time, it has been difficult to recruit GPs and it's getting worse.

[jno]

try giving them a nighly round of applause and see if they fall in line, douglas.

Though it seems the problem may be not the militant ones but the departing ones

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jun/06/demoralised-nurses-being-driven-out-of-profession-rcn-survey-finds

[granny grump]

We changed surgeries because of this sort of thing. The new surgery seems much better. I had a problem with my asthma when I contracted covid. Rang the surgery Dr rang straight back told me to come down I said but I positive. No problem we have a separate porta cabin that I can see you in and I will all gowned up. Rang again this week for a chronic condition spoke to receptionist. Dr rang back in 10 minutes. Arranged an xray; blood test and new prescription. Appointment once the tests are in. What a difference.

[Old_Geezer]

That's when the NHS was operated for the benefit of the patient. Nowadays the customer operates for the benefit of the service provider. Such an improvement, and puts the citizens in their place, to boot.

[ParsleyDumpling]

The reason receptionists ask what the problem is, is because you don't always need to see a GP. Someone with a chest infection can be deal with by a nurse, physician associate or paramedic in our practice. This then frees up GP appointments for more serious issues. It's called triage and works well. We do pre-bookable face to face, telecons, on the day appointments, and also home visits.
Sandy as you have something that needs to be 'felt' you need to stress that a face to face appointment is required. I have been a GP receptionist for a year now and am quite staggered at some patients reasons for wanting an appointment.

[jennyjoan]

Sandy - just insist on face to face for that lump - it can be serious and tell her that.

[Peter Pedant]

// Did it ever happen?//
yup
Selwyn Crawford ( dead white anaesthetist) said on call, juniors would smoke in the anaesthetic room
and we all squeaked ' eek ether'
it hardly ever exploded and killed the anaesthetist
( 1950s)

someone asked

If you are going to enumerate more than 10 ways of identifyng the epidural space ( that is a bit of you) then gtr than 10: you are going to have to cover the one where you attach a glass ampoule, made for this, to the patient. Get out your trusty LIGHTER and heat the ampoule now stuck to the patient....

Lighter you see, everyone had one .....

someone didnt ask that, but it allows you all to foo whine and grizzle

[jennyjoan]

Sandy - did you get a face to face yet or what.

[sandyRoe]

Jennyjoan, I've an appointment for next Tuesday afternoon.

[jennyjoan]

oh good - glad for you Sandy.