To think the GP surgeries should be open today?

[Sparklingbrook]

Why are they shut? And Monday for that matter? We have 4 days of being at the mercy of OOH now.

[BookFairy]

Much respect to you :)

[thebitchdoctor]

No it probably won't ever happen. I wish it would though. I've done my fair share of weekend, bank holidays and nights and its just horrendous for both patients and staff. I would happily work evenings and weekends as a GP but the matter of fact is it would cost a cash strapped NHS too much.

[BookFairy]

thebitchdoctor I'm sure everyone wishes there were more medical staff in hospitals at the weekend, but I'm not sure that will ever happen? My ex had major surgery on a Friday (when we were still together) and it was a terrifying weekend without any senior staff.

[Sparklingbrook]

Don't forget the 'asking on MN' route.

Gotta love a 'Should I go to A&E thread.

[thebitchdoctor]

I don't think people quite understand the 111 thing. It's basically NHS Dire(ct) who have taken over the call handling aspect of OOH. But because its NHS Dire(ct) instead of the pretty straightforward process of getting through to a call handler you' ll have to go through a bloody arduous process to get an appointment.

As you can tell, I'm not a fan. I've worked in my local OOH and also used it as a patient and my local OOH service was brilliant. I'm so angry it has been messed around.

Back to the point in hand, doctors surgeries are shut during bank holidays same as the routine hospital stuff is closed/unavailable over bank holidays. Hospitals work at weekend staffing level on BHs and GPs do with OOH, so if you've got a beef about GP surgeries being shut then why haven't you got a beef that hospitals are working at minimal staffing levels on BHs?

Pharmacists are very clever people but they don't have the same training or practical experience as GPs. They are excellent for minor advice and I wish people would use them often but they are not better than GPs, they are different by virtue of their role and training.

[Sparklingbrook]

According to the other thread Tea some haven't got the option of OOH and have to use 111.

[crashdoll]

pumpkin I actually think pharmacists should be able to prescribe. I was just thinking a pharmacist may be able to tide you over till you can see a GP or at least give you medical advice. There is abuse of the OOH system and it's often not purposeful.

[TeaOneSugar]

Everyone will have OOH if their gp surgery is closed, same as every weekend.
111 replaces NHS Direct.
999 or A&E for emergencies.

[pumpkinsweetie]

Very true crashdoll, infact at times my pharmacist is better than my doctor. Problem being though, you need a doctor to get a prescription and going to a&e is little over the top for an infection!
Thing is 111 leads to nowhere and nhs direct very often leads you to a&e, so probably costs more in the long run and sometimes its more reassuring to see an actual human when faced with medical problems, especially with young dc

[crashdoll]

You can get medical advice. There is NHS direct and pharmacists offer advice. I almost always see my pharmacist before making a GP appt and she said she wishes more people would do that because it saves hassle and effort on everyone's parts!

[pumpkinsweetie]

Yes i agree that its all the governments fault. They are out to ruin everything to lower the deficit, but what is the true cost of these changes?, very worrying. Our gps is closed every Saturday & Sunday but over Easter it is closed the Friday & Monday as well, which makes it 4 days iyswim.
I have no bones with the nhs, everyone needs a holiday but i do think that the government is sending our Nhs further down the pan in hope that people will be in favour of privatisation. Well i am not, what they are doing is wrong and discriminating to the poor & working class, of whom without the nhs would most probably go without treatment due to costs they cannot afford.

[Sparklingbrook]

It seems to have got really confusing. Looks like we have 111 or OOH. But some people only have 111.

Then there's NHS Direct so don't know where that fits in.

I envisage a rise in people going to A&E in desperation.

[Sparklingbrook]

My Doctors do open one Saturday morning a month I believe.

[thebitchdoctor]

Doctors surgeries are always shut on a Saturday pumpkinsweetie :)

You do have access to simple medical care, it's just going to be more difficult to access it at present with 111 being newly rolled out. Want to know who to blame? The government. Its purely a money saving exercise. My local OOH provider bid for the contract but were declined in favour of 111 as they were much cheaper (cheaper for a reason). I wonder how many of you who complain about doctors, nurses and the NHS and such like voted Tory? Because if you did you've only got yourself to blame for the mess we are in.

[pumpkinsweetie]

Its shameful that they should be shut today, especially with this new 111 system they are rolling out. Its ridiculous that for 4 days there is no access to simple medical care and the only way of getting any is to go to a&e! Bit ott for lesser injuries/requirments!!! But what are you to do if you do require medical advice/treatment in that time?

[Sparklingbrook]

I have just been on a thread about the new 111 number replacing OOH. Doesn't sound very good.....

[amandine07]

Not read this whole thread but just want to point out- doctors do NOT get paid double/extra for working a BH- you get paid your salary as normal.

Yes you are entitled to a lieu day for each BH you work, however, when you take this lieu day depends on how much cover there is eg how many colleagues are on annual leave/on call/nights and if you can actually take the time off without compromising patient care.

[Sparklingbrook]

I dread to think what the supermarkets will be like today, as they are shut tomorrow. Bet there's no Easter Eggs left either.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

Reading this thread has made me realise I need to go shopping today, best do it on my way home after work else we'll be eating breadandpullit on Sunday.

[Iteotwawki]

Nothing was open here. All shops, surgeries, bin collections, libraries - everywhere closes Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Hospital running on call / weekend service only (so I get 4 days off, huzzah!). A few dairies were open but that was it. Quiet, peaceful, day-on-the-beach day.

It's fab :)

[sashh]

Nowadays shops are open on Good Friday

When I lived in Yorkshire Good Friday was generally ignored as a holiday and people got Monday and Tuesday as holidays at easter.

[manticlimactic]

sparkling I'm sure some people do. Those who haven't been in today will be there tomorrow. Glad I've got the rest of the week off

[goodygumdrops]

Fig - only those providing emergency care. The others will be off. I should know, i work in one of those professions and my sister another! Radiographers diagnosing fractures etc yes. Those providing radiotherapy no. Sonographers no. SALT, no. Wanting physio for SPD? Not a chance!

[Sirzy]

not doing repeat prescriptions for 2 weeks

That is madness!

[BookFairy]

I agree sparkling with the confusion over what is open/shut. My GP surgery is closed until Tuesday and not doing repeat prescriptions for 2 weeks. The bins were collected, my new shoes were delivered, some shops closed, open shops were packed with folk stocking up for the apocalypse easter.