howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Once again I have to praise High Street surgery for their efforts and professionalism today.
Over the weekend I had chest pains bringing on nausea and insomnia, got worse about midday today so I turned up unannounced at the surgery about 2. 30 pm on the busiest day of the week in the busiest month of the year. A short while later I was seen by a nurse who examined me thoroughly, talked me through the symptoms and read my medical history thoroughly.
Diagnosis a lung infection to be treated with antibiotics, normally one only gets 10 minutes this took nearer 30 minutes!!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
well done howard.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
Hope you recover soon Howard.
Well done to the surgery but I am sure anyone with chest pains would get similar treatment at any of our Dover surgeries.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Thanks Jan
Not so sure though, N.H.S guidelines clearly say to ring 999 with chest pains, I was surprised the receptionist didn't ask me to do so or ring them herself.
Anyone who has experienced hospitals during evenings or weekends will know they are not a place to be, would much rather have a sleepless night in my own bed than on a trolley in Canterbury.
Guest 1103- Registered: 3 Nov 2013
- Posts: 759
Howard, if you need any help just let me know ;) and wish you a speedy recovery x
Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. Maya Angelou ☺🌈🌄🌌🌏🌍🌎
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Thanks Heike, don't know what they put in that antibiotic but suffered no pain all night, even managed to sleep a bit.
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
Does anyone know of difficulties in finding/being placed with a GP since the Dover Medical Practice -Dover Health Centre- withdrew services. Initially it was reported 2000 patients had been placed but there a were a potential 900 -if they still existed- to be allocated. It has since gone deafly quiet. Does that mean the situation was resolved?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Things have gone quiet on this one Paul, the practice had a large number of non English speakers and people of no fixed abode. Maybe next time they turn up at the defunct practice they will only then be aware of the closure?
Incidentally the surgery in Pencester Road is still taking new patients onto their register.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
I moved from St Peters some time ago went to the one my wife is St James St and must say they are very very good.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
From Howard's link "The Express tried several times to reach the surgery for a comment - but the line was engaged." that sentence just about says it all.
I am sure I heard about the problem of people getting an appointment at this surgery at least two years ago when I was at the shop.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
If this is an ongoing thing then it suggests that the surgery has taken on too many patients. Most surgeries are difficult to get through to early morning as people try to get a same day appointment, Monday being the worst of course.
Judith Roberts- Registered: 15 May 2012
- Posts: 637
I think this article is misleading because qualified nurse practitioners have access to the same range of drugs as GPs and can write and sign prescriptions. They can deal with most of the same day patients with infections etc. They will refer to the doctor when necessary.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I was more than happy to be seen by the nurse, had a thorough examination and her diagnosis turned out to be correct.
She had to briefly interrupt a doctor to get his signature on the prescription but that same doctor had probably seen 2 or 3 patients in that time.
Reginald Barrington
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 17 Dec 2014
- Posts: 3,259
I agree the nurses can direct a lot of patients to correct diagnosis and save a lot ot doctors and patients time, and at no time are you obliged to tell the nurse your symptoms you can ask to see the doctor and not give a reason.
This also helps weed out a lot of the hypochondriacs that often just need a friendly ear. I think all practices are oversubscribed though and winter just exacerbates the problem.
Arte et Marte
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
One of the main problems is that there are still people who insist on seeing the doctor for cough, colds etc when it has been widely stated that antibiotics have no effect, not even on flu. Pharmacies stock everything necessary for minor ailments.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
To be honest I prefer to see the nurse as we have a better rapport simply because I see her more often than any of the doctors at my practice.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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