for being really fecked off with GPs

[banana87]

I understand that antibiotics do not work when you have a viral infection.

However, last week DD2 (15m) was clearly not right. I called GP and told them her symptoms (sleeping 17+ hours, bad cough, high fever, not eating). They told me (over the phone) that it was a virus. Wait it out. I waited 2 days and took her to see a private GP who immediately diagnosed her with a chest infection and prescribed antibiotics.

My SIL has been sick since end of last week. She is getting progressively worse (same symptoms as above other than sleeping!). She phoned GP Monday. He told her (over the phone) it was a virus, take paracetemol and wait it out. It got to the point that she felt her chest tightening and heavy so went in the next day (yesterday). He acknowledged that she was quite ill, but gave her an inhaler and said it wasn't an infection. She's worse today than she was yesterday and is now going to see a private GP.

Last winter my DD1 had persistent high fevers that did not respond to calpol or neurofen. We were in A&E twice and dr twice. Every time, "it's just a virus". After 6 weeks I had enough and took her in and said I wanted her to have blood tests as I was convinced she had cancer. Funnily, they gave me antibiotics even though "there is no sign of infection" and within 3 days the fevers were gone and have never returned.

Also last winter my then 5 week old baby had a high temp. I took her to the GP. "Just a virus". Next day, same thing and on call dr had us go straight to A&E where I was told "it's just a virus". Luckily a very good consultant was on call and thought it would be wise to do a chest x-ray "just in case". She had PNEUMONIA.

I understand that there are worries about antibiotic resistance. But what is the point in withholding antibiotics until one is so sick that there is no other option? In all of the above examples, antibiotics were or are currently being withheld needlessly. Why?

[2rebecca]

I presumed they hadn't got the letter because you were talking about the GP having to make an effort to contact the consultant which implied for some reason this was necessary. You said you had received a letter but that didn't mean the GP's copy had arrived.
I think in general if you have never had a medicine from your GP then it's sensible to make an appointment to discuss the medicine and get it put on a repeat file.
GPs are more likely to get valid complaints about prescribing medicines without having reviewed the patient than having insisted a patient makes an appointment before putting a medication on repeat.

[quickdowntonson]

Banana- you obviously have no idea how it works here. GP's do not earn more money from over prescribing or referring. Quite the opposite.

[banana87]

2rebecca: I never said they did. I said they do in the US but here they are more concerned about budgets than patients so don't prescribe or refer!

[FasterStronger]

a GP obviously has to be concerned about their budget. like the rest of us, they cannot spend money they don't have.

they have lots of competing demands to juggle.

[banana87]

Then clearly if budgets are at the forefront of everyone's mind and not patient health or well being, the current system isn't working?

[crashdoll]

banana you're slating a whole system based on your very high expectations of a free (at the point of delivery) service. IME, I've been referred and prescribed. I have had run ins with "this medication is expensive" and there have been some compromises such as; "we'll try X, Y and Z before referral" but overall, very few complaints. I've been at 2 different surgeries and seen about 15 GPs within both of them and while some are hard work, overall I have no complaints (nor do my family) of obviously bad practice. Now, far be it for me to generalise and say the system is ok based on my experience but, as I said, I think you expect a lot.

[FasterStronger]

if you want better more treatment, go private. the NHS does not have bottomless resources and they need to be managed.

then your budgeting will enable you to access the healthcare you want and will only be limited by your finances.

problem solved!

[Isitme1]

Op I understand what you mean in the op.

However its the other way around for us.
Gp gives antibiotics out like sweets then complains. He won't refer due to 'pct tying his hands' and he is reluctant to give the meds ds really needs (ds has long term health issues so a lot of meds).
He did however help when ds jad meningitis. He prescribed course of abs and sent him to hosp to be sent home 'its just a virus' to 24 hours later being transferred by ambulance.
Im seeing him tomorrow. He sees me and starts.

[MrsKeithRichards]

My Gp laughs and tells us he wanted to be a vet but failed the exams.

He's fantastic.