howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Whilst in Pencester Road yesterday I chanced upon Mr Dixon and enquired as to the nature of his business there and it turned out that he was visiting the quacks to get more leeches.
I would have thought that a densely populated area like Aycliffe would warrant a satellite practice from one of the major surgeries. Maybe open just afternoons or 2 to 3 full days a week.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
nice idea mr mcsweeny,the only place available to use is the church hall,hardly viable really.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Not long ago we were told to stop going to A & E and consult our GP instead now they say we should consult Pharmacists despite the fact that them are closing.
http://www.dover-express.co.uk/gps-ask-dover-patients-to-seek-help-elsewhere-as-surgeries-struggle-to-cope/story-29499669-detail/story.htmlGuest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Best option would be an online system whereby you enter your symptoms and download your sick note. That would ease the pressure hugely.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Bob Whysman- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,918
Peter Garstin wrote:Best option would be an online system whereby you enter your symptoms and download your sick note. That would ease the pressure hugely.
http://www.babylonhealth.com/online?gclid=CMCmlJaK7M0CFY4V0wodUnMKIwDo nothing and nothing happens.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
My comment was slightly on the jocular side, Bob, but I'm aware of Babylon and it's an excellent idea. Do they do sick notes as well?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,225
Back to GP's & patient numbers. Apparently this CCG [Clinical Commissioning Group]area have only 82 GP's for 200,000 patients i.e. 2440 approx. per GP & they are stretched.
When I was working as a District Nurse for part of that area the patient ratio was 1 to 2500 patients approx. That was without Practice Nurses, Health Care Assts. & a plethora of support staff .
They saw more patients, worked longer hours , did night calls & w/e on rotas & found time to undertake sessional work in hospital specialities that clinically interested them.
It probably is that the NHS provides more & patients expectations are higher with more dependency rates & m ore complex conditions but "me thinks they doth protest too much" [ paraphrased].
howard mcsweeney1 likes this
Paul M- Registered: 1 Feb 2016
- Posts: 393
The ratios may well be similar to what they were 30 or 40 years ago but I think you've answered your own question when stating higher expectations and dependency result in a higher demand for services than previously experienced. I suspect the NHS was better managed and relatively had more resources available to it in the Seventies than it does now. The NHS of today is under massive pressure and needs more investment from a Government with a political ideology to reduce funding for public services It also in my opinion needs more efficient and experienced local leadership and political leaders willing to make difficult choices.
I personally don't see much changing any time soon.
howard mcsweeney1 likes this
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,657
Last time I checked on line I would have to wait at least two weeks to see my GP which is disgusting, so if I had something which really worried me I would have to go to A&E.
I agree with Paul Watkins, doctors today have many more staff and no night calls, so either they are not efficient or are protesting to much.
The NHS needs a massive shake up to make it more cost efficient but no government is brave enough to do the necessary pruning of poor top management and also stop the massive amount of paperwork the NHS generates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
My surgery and I suppose most others have a long wait but have a doctor set aside for people that want or need a same day appointment. Don't know why they have problems recruiting GP's as the remuneration is better than most countries and hours of work are much easier nowadays. Jan makes the point about paperwork which seems to be out of control. Every time I get an appointment there is normally a booklet on how to prepare for the procedure and what it entails, exact same details are on the NHS website. Then when we get to the hospital we get told it all over again.
Bob Whysman- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,918
Do nothing and nothing happens.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
We seem well behind the rest of the developed world in patient care, consultation times with GPs being the shortest anywhere. I read elsewhere that the average individual sees their Doctor 6 times a year.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/feb/07/gps-consultation-times-too-short-for-complex-cases-says-doctors-leaderhoward mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
This article only mentions the closure of the Folkestone East practice but another major one closed in Guildhall Street North before that. The Bangla Deshi GP finally cracked under pressure and retired in his mid 70s.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/gps-tell-nhs-were-closed-131919/howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Rather predictable that two GPs decide to retire upon being told to accept new patients from a large surgery that is closing when they are already full up.
The GPs in my surgery are nowhere near retirement, I don't know about the others in Dover.
http://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/folkestones-gp-crisis-plunges-further-627405Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,573
looking grim with all the shortages
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
There is money washing around but nothing coming our way but in fairness Folkestone need it a lot more.
https://shepwayvox.org/2018/02/28/applications-south-kent-coast-ccg-has-made-for-s106-money/howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
The latest show my one go from inadequate to good and yet again Buckland Medical practice gets the thumbs down.
https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/best-worst-gp-surgeries-kent-2091760Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
buck.med center used to be run by a doctor tryharder,.