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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[Sparklingbrook]

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

[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]

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

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

[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.

[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]

Much respect to you :)