GP practice empty and unwelcoming

littlerock

I accept that most people of working age are less likely to need medical care than the very old or the very young. But unlike most of the EU, the UK birthdate continues to rise, and according to the ONS in 2018 the majority of live births are to women born outside the UK.

I have had the misfortune to visit my local A&E recently, two different GPs, (not in the same region) and a walk in injuries clinic. Old people cluttering up the place were not much in evidence. (Maybe they need home visits?). In the GP surgeries the patients were working age adults, in the walk in injuries clinic ( on a Saturday morning) they ranged from babies through children to working age adults. In the A & E waiting area, where I spent some time , there were all ages but a relatively high percentage of babies brought by anxious family members who were not native English speakers.

I wonder if the statistics used to plan services are giving an incorrect picture of what is needed and where. As above, maybe separate off some of the specialist services for physical injuries, like phyysio, away from GPs. I think that is already happening with mental health.

Cyclizine

littlerock wrote: »

I accept that most people of working age are less likely to need medical care than the very old or the very young. But unlike most of the EU, the UK birthdate continues to rise, and according to the ONS in 2018 the majority of live births are to women born outside the UK.

I have had the misfortune to visit my local A&E recently, two different GPs, (not in the same region) and a walk in injuries clinic. Old people cluttering up the place were not much in evidence. (Maybe they need home visits?). In the GP surgeries the patients were working age adults, in the walk in injuries clinic ( on a Saturday morning) they ranged from babies through children to working age adults. In the A & E waiting area, where I spent some time , there were all ages but a relatively high percentage of babies brought by anxious family members who were not native English speakers.

I wonder if the statistics used to plan services are giving an incorrect picture of what is needed and where. As above, maybe separate off some of the specialist services for physical injuries, like phyysio, away from GPs. I think that is already happening with mental health.

Er... 28% is not a majority. Birth rates are decreasing overall. A higher fertility rate amongst women born outwith the the UK is not surprising: immigrants are generally young and hence of childbearing age - perhaps why you saw them in the waiting room? The population is ageing and has chronic disease. Emergency Departments and GP surgeries are seeing more of these complex patients. A walk-in injury clinic is going to see younger folk limping in, rather than the elderly who are arriving by ambulance and being admitted to hospital. I'm not sure what you mean by separating physiotherapy from GPs, GPs have nothing to do with physiotherapy. I'd trust the official statistics over your 'observations' any day.

fred246

I was watching breakfast TV the other day. All these women moaning that GPs knew nothing about the menopause. Apparently all GPs need extra training on this very important disease. I then went to a rugby match and every few minutes there was a massive advert for the patient claim line. I was just thinking it must be so awful being a GP. I just couldn't cope with it. Nothing to do with money at all.