I would say yes, or at least there’s no reason that a doctor has to run a business in order for a GP surgery to exist. They are medical practices, not small business managers.
I see that as being a system where you don’t have to try and ring up as fast as you can in hopes that there’s still time for you to be seen that day etc.
One of my previous GP surgeries sold only take appointments between 8 and 9am bit appointments for the day would be filled up usually within 15 minutes. And they would never book appointments for other days.
My current one is much better now and wish other GP surgeries did appointments the same way. Because I know the prior experience is the common one in this country sadly.
Perhaps, if those are appointment types are needed and wanted, but mainly ending the choice between wardialling and too-long waits. It sucks that you phone up at 9am and get told to call at 8 tomorrow if you’ve not got so ill you go to A&E or a private clinic if you can. Ill people often can’t control their sleep and primary care should be run with more consideration for the patients, not mainly operator convenience.
Would you say we should nationalise GPs? Would that help?
I would say yes, or at least there’s no reason that a doctor has to run a business in order for a GP surgery to exist. They are medical practices, not small business managers.
Not necessarily. It could also be done by requiring humane appointments systems in the GP contracts.
Sadly I’m old enough to remember when my local GP made house calls and worked on a weekend. Is that what you meant by humane appointments?
They said “humane appointment systems”.
I see that as being a system where you don’t have to try and ring up as fast as you can in hopes that there’s still time for you to be seen that day etc.
One of my previous GP surgeries sold only take appointments between 8 and 9am bit appointments for the day would be filled up usually within 15 minutes. And they would never book appointments for other days.
My current one is much better now and wish other GP surgeries did appointments the same way. Because I know the prior experience is the common one in this country sadly.
Perhaps, if those are appointment types are needed and wanted, but mainly ending the choice between wardialling and too-long waits. It sucks that you phone up at 9am and get told to call at 8 tomorrow if you’ve not got so ill you go to A&E or a private clinic if you can. Ill people often can’t control their sleep and primary care should be run with more consideration for the patients, not mainly operator convenience.
😭