Selfish/thoughtless NHS users

teddysmum

Our GP practice has always been a good one, winning local awards, but has been struggling due to staff leaving and lack of replacements.


They have the usual bookable appointment system with an occasional 3 weeks wait (if you insist on seeing a particular doctor), but also a 5 day, morning walk-in session, from 7 to 10, with numbers capped so the session does not go beyond 10.30am.


Because of the struggle with staffing, notices have been posted, since the beginning of the year, asking people to only use the walk-in sessions if they need urgent medical treatment and not for repeat prescriptions (which can easily be made over the internet, by dropping a note in the request box , by calling the pharmacy) or vaccinations (which are easily booked with a nurse up to two weeks in advance).


However, selfish people have ignored the request, so everyone else has to suffer, as the walk-in sessions will be withdrawn at the end of September.:mad:


The prescription and vaccination seekers will probably turn up at A&E now, as they can't possibly be asked to book an appointment.

Browntoa

Someone I know of booked an online appointment every week in case they needed it ......despite numerous people pointing out how selfish and stupid it was

sjbrun

I think sooner or later a government at some point will put in place a small charge of £5 or £10 to see a doctor, like they have done with plastic bags, Just enough to make you think if you really do need to go.

Gavin83

Browntoa wrote: »

Someone I know of booked an online appointment every week in case they needed it ......despite numerous people pointing out how selfish and stupid it was

It should work on a '3 strikes and your out' system so if you miss 3 appointments with your doctor your struck off that practice. Serious offenders will reach the point where they won't be able to see a doctor but maybe they'll think about it when they've an illness and no one will treat them.

sjbrun wrote: »

I think sooner or later a government at some point will put in place a small charge of £5 or £10 to see a doctor, like they have done with plastic bags, Just enough to make you think if you really do need to go.

I think charging for missed appointments is a great idea and I'm surprised it hasn't already been done. Not sure I'm such a fan of attended appointments being charged though.

Browntoa

The introduction of a token 10 or 20 pence for perscriptions for everybody who currently pays nothing would also raise a huge amount to spend elsewhere in the NHS

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Browntoa wrote: »

Someone I know of booked an online appointment every week in case they needed it ......despite numerous people pointing out how selfish and stupid it was

Whenever said person makes an appointment a doctor should go round to his house and give him a disease or break his arms, just to make sure he does need it.

Faith177

Browntoa wrote: »

The introduction of a token 10 or 20 pence for perscriptions for everybody who currently pays nothing would also raise a huge amount to spend elsewhere in the NHS

Also stopping prescriptions for off the self painkillers like paracetamol would help

ColinFishwick

That isn't then fair on people that are ill a lot. People who are in this category may least able to afford that because they may be on low benefits or low income. All that will achieve is they will then go to A&E.

Perhaps a charge on missed or very late appointments unless good reason

sjbrun wrote: »

I think sooner or later a government at some point will put in place a small charge of £5 or £10 to see a doctor, like they have done with plastic bags, Just enough to make you think if you really do need to go.

missbiggles1

teddysmum wrote: »

Our GP practice has always been a good one, winning local awards, but has been struggling due to staff leaving and lack of replacements.


They have the usual bookable appointment system with an occasional 3 weeks wait (if you insist on seeing a particular doctor), but also a 5 day, morning walk-in session, from 7 to 10, with numbers capped so the session does not go beyond 10.30am.


Because of the struggle with staffing, notices have been posted, since the beginning of the year, asking people to only use the walk-in sessions if they need urgent medical treatment and not for repeat prescriptions (which can easily be made over the internet, by dropping a note in the request box , by calling the pharmacy) or vaccinations (which are easily booked with a nurse up to two weeks in advance).


However, selfish people have ignored the request, so everyone else has to suffer, as the walk-in sessions will be withdrawn at the end of September.:mad:


The prescription and vaccination seekers will probably turn up at A&E now, as they can't possibly be asked to book an appointment.

I do sympathise but, presumably, if the GPs had shown the offenders the door when they announced why they were there, they would've solved the problem pretty quickly.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I do sympathise but, presumably, if the GPs had shown the offenders the door when they announced why they were there, they would've solved the problem pretty quickly.

Indeed. People make rules, then let people flout said rules, then say "Ooh, nobody is following the rules.". Nobody is going to follow the rules when they see other people getting an advantage by breaking them.

oldagetraveller

Faith177 wrote: »

Also stopping prescriptions for off the self painkillers like paracetamol would help

I agree and I'm sure I recently saw a notice in my GP surgery to the effect that prescriptions for Paracetamol cost the NHS £xx millions/annum and that they would no longer be issued. Whether this is a surgery or local Clinical Commissioning Group decision I don't know. Possibly the latter?