Practice Nurse Or A&e?

[McMouse]

I recently removed the tip of my thumb whilst being careless with a sharp knife. Being on blood thinning medication I couldn't staunch the flow so nipped down to GP surgery to get it dressed. Practice Nurse claimed her 'list' was full and refused to see me and told be to take my (non life threatening) condition to A&E. Fortunately my own GP witness this exchange and promptly did the job in a few minutes, despite having a waiting room full of patients. We are told that A&E is crumbling under the burden of trivial cases!

[Sharingan]

Some people need a good shake for a lack of common sense, silly woman:( Things like that make me really cross.

[LazyGun]

Successive governments and the NHS itself, have grappled with this,and none of them have been successful.

In a modern day world, with 24/7 connectivity, peoples expectations of service and response have shifted dramatically.

So, what is the best design for primary care to cope with modern day living? Darzi came up with the idea of introducing Polyclinics into the primary care structure - a polyclinic basically being a GP surgery plus minor ops and a few other frills - a concept used in other health systems around the globe, but that never really took off - unyet that is probably what is actually required.

[Purple_Popple]

Madness! Similar happened to me after a fall I cut my foot open badly. ..surgery just down the road from my house. ..gp sent me away to A&E! All it needed was a small stitch.

[Sqad]

LazyGun

\\\\a polyclinic basically being a GP surgery plus minor ops and a few other frills - a concept used in other health systems around the globe, but that never really took off - unyet that is probably what is actually required.\\\

Exactly and if possible attached to District General Hospitals. I never heard of any trials but can understand why they may have failed.
The patient would have to travel a much greater distance and at greater inconvenience and Politically that would have been unacceptable.

So where are we.......billion pounds given to the GP's, the GP's salary has been increased and the GP.s absolved from weekend and night calls........absolute madness.

I am sorry for the Politicians,as the electorate tail is wagging the dog.

[LazyGun]

@ Sqad. Cannot remember specifically all of the details now, but I am pretty sure in the original proposals, It was not suggested that polyclinics were geographically located at hospitals, nor that polyclinics would replace all the GP surgeries.

In London, the original proposal was for 150 polyclinics across the capital, most being generated out of an expansion of existing GP surgeries. In addition ,there was talk of adding GP units to Hospitals, to direct some of the flow away from acute admissions.

Sounds like a plan, to me....

One thing is for sure - the status quo - that the current system of tiers is no longer adequate. Primary care needs major revision, Specialist care in the hospitals requires regionalisation for true excellence.

[Sqad]

LazyGun

\\\\One thing is for sure - the status quo - that the current system of tiers is no longer adequate. Primary care needs major revision, Specialist care in the hospitals requires regionalisation for true excellence.\\\

Absolutely....but which Political Party is going to tell the electorate?

[lcg]

my gp surgery does not do emergency interventions (such as this) and i w2ould have been expected to go to my local walk in centre. there are other ways to avoid going to a+e you know - did you ring 111 to find out where you should go?

[LazyGun]

@ Sqad - There you go, we have found common ground on something political :)

"Absolutely....but which Political Party is going to tell the electorate?"

Never thought I would see the day... :)

[Sqad]

Lazygun...LOL.....see......i am misunderstood........;-)

[McMouse]

I miss the days of my childhood when minor injuries such as deep grazes and cuts were treated in the local Cottage Hospital by a nurse in full starched uniform and the treatment room was equipped with sterilised instruments, kidney bowls and smelled of Dettol.

[boxtops]

I agree with lcg, GP practices are not set up to deal with emergencies like that, that IS what A&E or your minor injuries units are for. OH cut his hand badly carving meat - off to Minor Injuries, the GP practice isn't the place for bleeding people.

[baza]

care seems to vary from place to place, my local doctors have 3 practice nurses, 2 are pleasant one is a bit of a dragon, but still a good nurse imo.
I have just had minor surgery at my GP's , in at 09.30 out at 09.50 minus the lump, he even said sorry for the drop of blood on my shirt collar.
All the partners do have flash cars with personal type plates so they must be well paid.

[boxtops]

That surgery will have contracted with their commissioners to provide a minor surgery service, baza - that's not available everywhere, and (sorry to say this) they are paid extra for providing that enhanced service.

[baza]

boxy, so that's how they can afford them cars then.