Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to feel guilty for using the NHS when I actually need to?

30 replies

pancakesyrupbluewater · 30/03/2016 22:00

Sick of the guilt about how you shouldn't see your GP go to a and e or ring ooh AIBU to use them if I need to?

OP posts:
SquinkiesRule · 30/03/2016 22:03

Of course you should use them if you are sick. So long as people use it appropriately there isn't a problem.
Its the ones who turn up at 10 pm on a friday night, with a sore finger that was sore three days ago, and could have been seen at the doctors or sorted at home with some minor treatment.

MumOnTheRunCatchingUp · 30/03/2016 22:05

why do you need MN to validate it?

thecatfromjapan · 30/03/2016 22:05

No, you are not unreasonable.

I think we're being softened up for a policy of having to pay for GP appointments.

ConfuciousSayWhat · 30/03/2016 22:08

Yanbu

catfromjapan I have no problem with that and I'm a frequent gp visitor

Catvsworld · 30/03/2016 22:08

Problem is eveyone feels they need to watching 24 hours in a&he last week mum took son to a&he he had a blister oh is a nurse felt very strongly that could of been dealt with at the doctors

Also most doctors have a prescribing nurse witch for some reason people won't see they point blank refuse and always want. To see the doctor

When watching the fly on the wall doc about GPs on channel 5 the amount of people that make appointments for a fucking chat or a health check ffs or the best one was came in wasn't I'll just hadn't been to the doctors for a while Confused

Because it's free at the point of use we have all lost what is actually illness and what is and life and death most issues can be sorted out but talking to the phamsist or GP Nurse

I

Original poster
pancakesyrupbluewater · 30/03/2016 22:09

I just feel like I get brushed off but then feel guilty if I try to push things.

grumbling about private health care

OP posts:
Catvsworld · 30/03/2016 22:09

Good I hope they bloody bring them in may be there be a lot less people going in when they don't need in fact I can bank on it

ConfuciousSayWhat · 30/03/2016 22:09

The channel 5 programme is an eye opener. However as someone with hidden disability and mental health issues my gp wants me in frequently to have 'a chat' to an outsider I'm a timewaster to me and my gp it's keeping me alive

austounding · 30/03/2016 22:10

why do you need MN to validate it?

seconded Confused

whole point of those things is to discourage the unbelievable timewasters you get through the door so that you can be seen if you really need it

austounding · 30/03/2016 22:11

Confucious it doesn't matter what outsiders think. If you and your GP feel it is necessary that's all that matters isn't it?

Original poster
pancakesyrupbluewater · 30/03/2016 22:11

Aus because I feel like a time waster because I haven't lived a normal life for months I am in agonising and constant pain yet apparently nothing is wrong. It's very difficult.

OP posts:
ConfuciousSayWhat · 30/03/2016 22:13

astounding agreed however like the op all the press and posts out in the ether about don't waste doctors precious time makes people like me feel really guilty and has the knock on effect in making us not want to attend essential appointments

AllisonWonderland · 30/03/2016 22:18

Also most doctors have a prescribing nurse witch for some reason people won't see they point blank refuse and always want. To see the doctor

I wouldn't see a prescribing nurse witch either Wink

Catvsworld · 30/03/2016 22:27

Also I saw a poster in my doctors that said the amount of missed appointments could have paid for £300 ambulance trips 24 nurses or I consultant for a year

That boils my piss as well its not as if it's easy to get a fucking appointment they make 12 a day that's it

What would it take to ring and just fucking say I can't make it for god sake my gps even have a number you can text

Muskateersmummy · 30/03/2016 22:28

Don't feel guilty for using it if you have a genuine need. From the sound of it you need to be speaking again to your GP for a referral to a specialist. I was in constant shoulder pain for several years with no diagnosis, this year during surgery they discovered the cause of the pain and fixed it. I have never once be made to feel guilty because I was in pain, unable to sleep, struggling to do my job effectively.

People complain about those who waste appointments on a common cold, or who turn up to a and e with a cough they have had for several weeks. Inappropriate use of NHS resources is awful. But using it when you are ill is what it's there for

Catvsworld · 30/03/2016 22:30

Thing is Allison it's all fun and games but when Somone is really ill or there child and they can't get to see a doctor because Somone is time wasting

It's one thing if your doctor asks to see you but people rountinly go to the GPs for things that a compertant phamsist can help you with

And I am afraid to say on the channel 5 show there were a lot of people wanting to simply get time off work there are a few regulars who go back rather close to signing on time every fucking show

tinyterrors · 30/03/2016 22:44

Don't feel guilty for going to the gp/a&E if needed.

It's those who, like pp have said, go to a&E with a splinter that could have been dealt with at home.

111 has a heck of a lot to answer for too. I ended up wasting hours waiting at a&E when my dd put her teeth half way through her lip. I only phoned for advice yet 111 said she "had to be seen tonight" so I had no choice, I wanted to ignore it but after my friend ignored similar over the top advice she had ss at the door and caused weeks and weeks of stress and upset.

I disagree with charging for gp appointments as it will be those on low incomes like almost everyone I know who earn just too much for help but don't have £40/£50 at the drop of a hat that will suffer. I do think that charging for missed appointments would be a good idea, that way those who need to be seen won't end up more ill and perhaps need a hospital admisson, while those who make appointments and don't turn up will start to think twice before wasting time.

catsinthecraddle · 30/03/2016 22:52

but people rountinly go to the GPs for things that a compertant phamsist can help you with

It doesn't help that pharmacists here refuse to be of any help, and only ever advise you to "ask a doctor" if you ever dare asking them a question.

AllisonWonderland · 30/03/2016 23:05

Sorry Cat, I wasn't intending to belittle your point, just liked the idea of a witch nurse! The problem with charging for health are is that you will inevitably reduce the amount of people attending who don't need to, but the trade off is the you'll also reduce the amount of people attending who do need to so it's a tough one. One of the issues we have is a historical culture of 'doctor knows best' so people don't really understand that a knowledgeable pharmacist or nurse is as good, if not better, than a GP on many matters (I speak as a non-medical health care professional myself).

AuntJane · 30/03/2016 23:07

I went to my GP with a slight occasional "buzz" in my shoulder. My GP noted that I hadn't seen him in about ten years and came to the conclusion that - no matter how insignificant it seemed - the fact that I went to see him meant it was an issue. I got an immediate referral, and knew within a week that I had a misaligned shoulder blade that was pressing down on a muscle.

Six sessions of physio which I continue at home have most likely prevented a far more serious, and possibly permanent, ussue a couple of years down the line.

NeverNic · 30/03/2016 23:45

In my local area we are encouraged to seek out pharmacists advice in the posters in the chemist, gp office etc. Is this not the same elsewhere? Our pharmacy has a consultation room (as does Boots) and I'm aware of another in my town that offers additional services including minor ailments assessment - so things that you might go to minor injuries for like allergy, insect bites or concern that something is infected. I guess here in the UK we're not used to going there first.

I think the main problem is that people aren't using the right resources, or don't know how to access help. I don't personally see anything wrong with a GP having regular patients. They are general practitioners after all, and if that means that they want or need to see a patient regularly to check on a person's emotional well being or general health, then they should. Also I don't think we know when we can self-refer - for example I can self-refer myself for maternity care, but didn't know this, so had a Dr's appointment to get the referral. That was one GPs appointment used up unnecessarily.

NoDramaForThisLlama · 31/03/2016 00:04

Yanbu. I feel the same though. I've been loads this year and actually had idiot charmer tell me I was wasting GP time and they can't treat you for a cold and cough.. Valid point but I'd just come out of hospital for pneumonia and was there for a follow up on the GPs request... Still made me feel crap though.
I think charging for missed appointments is a good idea but I really don't think charging for appointments is as although it may reduce timewasters and lead to people seeking self care of pharmacy advice it will also deter genuine patients. I was reluctant to go when I first got Ill, especially the second time I went, the day after I was given antibiotics as I was worried I was wasting their time I was rushed into hospital , if I had to pay I definitely wouldn't have gone and would have stayed at home and most probably ended up very sick.

Totesgawjushun69 · 31/03/2016 00:15

Do you actually feel guilty though? Or are you thinking too much/ attention seeking? I recently had a stay in hospital with my child. Feeling guilty didn't come into my mind, nor would it if felt the need to go for me or my husband. .. Seems like a 'start a thread for a chat' thing rather than something you actually feel...

NeedsAsockamnesty · 31/03/2016 00:23

Nobody gives a shit or expects you to feel guilty if you see a doctor when you actually need to.

People only give a shit when you are going to see them for something that requires nobody qualified to treat it and would be better death with at home or by a quick trip to a pharmacist

GooseberryRoolz · 31/03/2016 00:26

Persist OP. You shouldn't be left in unexplained pain.