Save the Economy? SCRAP the NHS!

Oldernotwiser

Pennywise wrote: »

In the current system, there's no incentive for that useless GP to improve his services - if people had to pay, then people like me would happily go elsewhere (and keep going elsewhere) until they found a GP worth the money rather than having absolutely no choices nor competition in such a monopoly.

Surely if everybodygot off their backsides and changed GPs then this would affect their funding and be an incentive? Unfortunately, many people just stick with the one they know and nothing changes.

Pennywise

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely if everybodygot off their backsides and changed GPs then this would affect their funding and be an incentive? Unfortunately, many people just stick with the one they know and nothing changes.

But the NHS don't want you to do that. Whether it is NHS at national level or just pig-headed individuals at local level, I don't know.

But my previous practice had many GPs and simply wouldn't allow you to choose which GP you wanted to see. You had a choice - if you wanted to see a GP as an ugency, you had to take pot luck with whoever was on rota that day - if it wasn't urgent and you had, say, an ongoing condition, they didn't allow you to book in with anyone other than your regular registered GP. I tried many times to ask for a different GP, but the answer was always the same - if it's not urgent, you have to wait for however long it takes before your own GP had a spare appointment, often several weeks away.

I tried to change to another local surgery, but they wouldn't take me on because I was already registered to a surgery in that same area -they only took on people who'd moved into the area or where for some other reason, they had a GP out of the area.

They were clearly operating as a cartel - there were only two separate practices in the same town - both were large with say 10 GPs and both had three sites dotted around the town. There was no other GP practice in the town. There was clearly an unwritten rule not to poach eachother's patients.

I only managed to escape because I moved house a few miles up the road to a different area. The difference in service and quality is truly amazing - even the receptionists smile and are helpful (something completely unheard of in the other one) and you can get appointments quickly with your own GP (usually same week).

It's very sad that you have to move house to be able to change your GP!!!

The other thing about changing is all the hoops you have to jump through. Even though the records were transferred in a few milliseconds from one computer to another, and the new GP had my entire history on their screen (test results, BP readings, etc going back years), they still insisted on me undergoing the usual questionnaires with the nurse, blood tests, etc., and then insisted on an appointment with the practice nurse and GP before they could do even simple things. like repeat prescriptions, so it was quite a hassle, having to go into the surgery at least four times just to get transferred over properly.

If only it were as simple as you seem to suggest to change your GP! It should be, but there is no competition in the NHS and it is just not set up to allow for easy patient choice which is why it will never improve until their is a complete top to bottom reform and culture change.

Oldernotwiser

Pennywise wrote: »

But the NHS don't want you to do that. Whether it is NHS at national level or just pig-headed individuals at local level, I don't know.

But my previous practice had many GPs and simply wouldn't allow you to choose which GP you wanted to see. You had a choice - if you wanted to see a GP as an ugency, you had to take pot luck with whoever was on rota that day - if it wasn't urgent and you had, say, an ongoing condition, they didn't allow you to book in with anyone other than your regular registered GP. I tried many times to ask for a different GP, but the answer was always the same - if it's not urgent, you have to wait for however long it takes before your own GP had a spare appointment, often several weeks away.

I tried to change to another local surgery, but they wouldn't take me on because I was already registered to a surgery in that same area -they only took on people who'd moved into the area or where for some other reason, they had a GP out of the area.

They were clearly operating as a cartel - there were only two separate practices in the same town - both were large with say 10 GPs and both had three sites dotted around the town. There was no other GP practice in the town. There was clearly an unwritten rule not to poach eachother's patients.

I only managed to escape because I moved house a few miles up the road to a different area. The difference in service and quality is truly amazing - even the receptionists smile and are helpful (something completely unheard of in the other one) and you can get appointments quickly with your own GP (usually same week).

It's very sad that you have to move house to be able to change your GP!!!

The other thing about changing is all the hoops you have to jump through. Even though the records were transferred in a few milliseconds from one computer to another, and the new GP had my entire history on their screen (test results, BP readings, etc going back years), they still insisted on me undergoing the usual questionnaires with the nurse, blood tests, etc., and then insisted on an appointment with the practice nurse and GP before they could do even simple things. like repeat prescriptions, so it was quite a hassle, having to go into the surgery at least four times just to get transferred over properly.

If only it were as simple as you seem to suggest to change your GP! It should be, but there is no competition in the NHS and it is just not set up to allow for easy patient choice which is why it will never improve until their is a complete top to bottom reform and culture change.

I was thinking of changing practices rather than GPs within the same practice - as you say, you rarely see the same one twice anyway.

I've never had problems changing GPs within a town; perhaps that differs regionally?

dervish

The main point should be : why should the lower classes and the poor receive FREE services and treatments when they contribute nothing towards it.

I was always told by my parents that you reap the rewards of investments - those who dont contribute should get nothing. Especially the so-called NHS tourists.

mewbie_2

dervish wrote: »

The main point should be : why should the lower classes and the poor receive FREE services and treatments when they contribute nothing towards it.

I am puzzled by the reference to the lower classes? Are they like the man and his kid who comes to sweep our chimney once a year, and doffs his hat to my wife while uttering phrases such as "lumme kid, get dahn the chimney and you'll mebbe get a tasty muffin for yer char". Or is it the roast chestnut vendor who purveys his wares at the end of our street while singing a rousing song about coconuts?

SingleSue

dervish wrote: »

The main point should be : why should the lower classes and the poor receive FREE services and treatments when they contribute nothing towards it.

I was always told by my parents that you reap the rewards of investments - those who dont contribute should get nothing. Especially the so-called NHS tourists.

What about those who may be on the poorer side now (on benefits) but have during their life time, paid many thousands into the system.

They are seen (by some) as being lower classed due to their collection of benefits....but it doesn't make them lesser people.

naughtybish

what needs to be addressed is the so called "Health Tourists" surely that must be a drain on the NHS resources ?
not sure what the actual true cost is per year.
that said i know that there would be some genuine cases amongst them,

any figures anyone ?


cheers Bish

eco

I used to work with a woman who had a thyroid problem can't remember if it was underactive, but anyway she got free prescriptions because of it, she was always round at the doctors with a problem, so she could get a prescription.

SingleSue

Well I one of the ones who can get free prescriptions.....not actually been to the doctors to get one since I have been able to get them free!

Strangely, when I wasn't able to get free prescriptions, I always seemed to have to get one.

Anything tell you I shy away from the doctors.....

dervish

mewbie wrote: »

I am puzzled by the reference to the lower classes? Are they like the man and his kid who comes to sweep our chimney once a year, and doffs his hat to my wife while uttering phrases such as "lumme kid, get dahn the chimney and you'll mebbe get a tasty muffin for yer char". Or is it the roast chestnut vendor who purveys his wares at the end of our street while singing a rousing song about coconuts?

The lower classes didnt die out with Charles Dickens you know...