NHS waste and Antibiotic Resistance?

[VolcanionSteamArtillery]

I will preference this rant by saying i think the NHS is a wonderful thing... But its crippled with waste.

I went into the doctors coughing. For a fit woman, I couldnt walk downstairs without coughing. I couldnt breath out without coughing. My chest ached. Dr couldnt hear anything yet and wanted to wait an see. Call in Friday for antibiotics if i wasnt feeling better.

I then pointed out to her that:

Now im allergic to penicillin. Last 2 times ive had a chest infection 3+ doses of antibiotics have done not a lot and i needed two courses of steriods and a chest xray last time. Boarderline pneumonia.

I also have a DS with SN and a heavy wheelchair i could in no way push. I had to get him to regional children's hospital friday and would therefore need an extra adult. Im on help with costs for transport so this would cost the nhs an extra £60+ in on peak transport.

She wrote me a prescription, with a wait 24 hours and take it. I dispensed it straight away and today i can actually breathe (ive totally stopped coughing) and by tomorrow i should be able to travel with DS solo. One course and i should be done.

How is it any good for NHS resources or antibiotic resistance to wait for an infection to take proper hold before doing anything about it?

I have frequent dealings with the NHS. Those missed appointments signs .... try cancelling appointments when you are told you cant attend them or not just "sending letters" that are never received. Try actually getting a referral through first time, or not referring to CAHMS when its actually a physical problem, or dealing with it be telephone when it really doesnt need to be an in person.

I love the NHS, i really do, but omg the waste!

It's not really waste though, it's recognition that for most coughs, colds, sore throats, chest infections etc you get better on your own without needing antibiotics. The drugs should be the last resort rather than the first. Doctors are quite rightly reluctant to prescribe unless absolutely necessary.

Personally, I think the mania for using anti-bacterial products on every item including your washing is doing a lot more harm.

Most coughs and colds are not infections requiring antibiotics and it is a proven technique in reducing antibiotic use and resistance to encourage patients to wait before fulfilling the prescription.

Crap admin is an entirely separate issue. I'm sure many large organisations would be delighted to solve that conundrum.

You wait until its absolutely necessary with me it probably won't work and will knock out month and half of my life. (And both my kids life cos if i cant get the wheelchair out were not getting out.) 24 hours and im clear.

Youre doing nothing for antibiotic resistance by perscribing antibiotics too late for them to be effective.

Because you are one example and not indicative of every situation which may or may not justify anti biotics.

I don't think the NHS and it's users are responsible for antibiotic resistance. The agricultural industry in some areas routinely give well livestock antibiotics. In some countries you can just buy antibiotics ; I used to work with someone who would take them at the first sign of a cold as her mum would bring a supply back.

In our area you need two suicide attempts to meet the threshold for a camhs referral. So I don't think there are many young people in our health trust getting referred to them with physical problems.