Doctors/GP's

battleborn

It is 2013 and Doctors/GP's still dont work weekends like they do in the week.

Surely by now Doctors/GP's should be working weekends, atleast Saturdays.

Why do we still have to think if we are sick or unwell Friday evening we will have to wait until Monday to see a Doctor?, its not right these days.

I know there is emergency GP and A&E, but a Saturday illness should not be an emergency simply because its not on a week day.

These Doctors/GP's get paid extremely well, it is time they changed the way they work.

Anyway, what is your opinion on the matter.

iclayt

Some GP surgeries do offer Saturday clinics. They should all provide details of an out of hours service.

Mine doesn't have a Saturday service but does have two evening sessions.

csh_2

Mine used to do a Saturday surgery but found that when people needed to submit samples or have bloods taken they had to come back during the week as the lab vans don't collect at the weekends.
They now offer their extra hours as an early morning service from 7.30

Dogger69

battleborn wrote: »

Why do we still have to think if we are sick or unwell Friday evening we will have to wait until Monday to see a Doctor?, its not right these days.

You have answered your own question:

battleborn wrote: »

I know there is emergency GP and A&E

battleborn wrote: »

but a Saturday illness should not be an emergency simply because its not on a week day.

If it is not an emergency there is no reason why it cannot wait until Monday.

Gavin83

No doctor should have to work 7 days a week but shift work (ie: evenings and weekends) should become the norm. Weekends are frankly more convenient for those who have to work.

battleborn

Dogger69 wrote: »

You have answered your own question:





If it is not an emergency there is no reason why it cannot wait until Monday.

Thats not the point.
Why do they not work weekends.

battleborn

Gavin83 wrote: »

No doctor should have to work 7 days a week but shift work (ie: evenings and weekends) should become the norm. Weekends are frankly more convenient for those who have to work.

100% agree with you. plus more people would be seen which would cut down on appointment waiting lengths.

peachyprice

Some do, mine does Saturday mornings as well as being open for appointments from 8am-8pm during the week. If anything is so urgent it can't wait from 1pm saturday to 8am Monday I don't think it's a GP I would need.

Troutwrestler

My gp surgery is open from 8.45 until 4.45 with a 3 week wait for an appointment, emergency appointments are gone within 10 mins of the phone lines being opened in the morning( impossible to get through) we have no walk in centre so only option is to wait or go to out of hours or a&e.

Not so bad for an adult. I can wait but when it's one of the kids it's a nightmare

battleborn

peachyprice wrote: »

Some do, mine does Saturday mornings as well as being open for appointments from 8am-8pm during the week. If anything is so urgent it can't wait from 1pm saturday to 8am Monday I don't think it's a GP I would need.

Some do, is not good enough, they should all be open all day Saturday and maybe Sunday mornings.

Dogger69

battleborn wrote: »

Thats not the point.
Why do they not work weekends.

It is entirely the point - there is no valid reason why they should have to work weekends when other services are accessible if needed.

The only apparent reason is convenience, but if they work at the weekend then they will have to reduce their hours in the week, so making it less convenient for someone else. They can't please everyone.

Unless of course you are suggesting more GPs are recruited? If so, who do you suggest pays for this?