GP'S.What is going on???

[FANTINE2]

So we hear lots about how over use/ prescribing of antibiotics can cause huge problems.
My DD suffering with heavy cold/ mild flu for several days. Suffering in particular with headaches. She suspected sinusitis, I honestly doubted this. She rang GP for an appt, but of course non available. She was advised that the GP would call her back to discuss her symptoms. After a 2 minute discussion, the GP advised that she would write out a prescription for AB's. She did not see my D in person, so no examination. I have to say that I am really shocked that she would prescribe AB's over the phone, whilst at the same time "refusing' to see her for a consultation. I still suspect that these ab's are not really necessary. I am shocked!!
What is going on in our NHS??? How can a medical professional prescribe AB's over the phone when we are repeatedly warned of the consequences of taking such drugs unnecessarily.
Similarly , my 78 year old mum suffering with a water infection. Dip test done, but GP insisted on sending sample for analysis to hospital. Fair enough, results should have been back the following day. Sample said to be contaminated, second sample also unsuitable. 3rd sample provided. Several days later my mum rings surgery, only to be told that result not back, At this point, she becomes quite cross! An hour later call back from surgery saying antibiotics have been prescribed. The whole process takes almost 2 weeks. 2 weeks to diagnose a water
infection in an elderly woman!!

What is going on with our GP services??
I have nothing but pRaise for our NHS, but the GP service is barely fit for purpose. How long before some really serious situations develop??

The Gp did a consultation over the phone and based on this probably deemed your daughter to have sinusitis. If sinusitis is left untreated and sever can lead to an infection in the brain because of where it occurs.
A urine sample is normally sent for analysis as the lab can determine which antibiotics will work and which won’. It’s just unfortunate that the initial sample was contaminated.

Because they don't have time to see everyone who contacts them.
Probably, the alternative was your daughter has to wait a week or two for an appointment. By triaging her, they can get her treated more quickly.

The UTI issue... As said by PP, the lab will have been able to determine which antibiotics would be effective (therefore reducing the risk of over prescribing by issuing one that maybe wouldn't be effective). The lab work takes time. You can't force things to grow quicker.

And I'm sick of the criticism of GPs. Absolutely trying their best in the most difficult circumstances.

Yesterday, by triaging patients, the GP called for two blue light ambulances for two patients. Without the GP, what would they have done? The patients weren't suffering heart attacks, or anything obvious, where someone might call 999.

People quite often say everyone should be made to work in retail. I think the same about the NHS.

Read "This is going to hurt" by Adam Kay.

A dipstick can often give a good indication of a uti. In an elderly patient abx are worthwhile as it can escalate.
Sinusitis doesn’t need to be visualised.

People want the NHS to fail. They keep voting for it. Democracy, ain’t it?

Haha I was prescribed antibiotics for angular chelitis!

Not only was it pointless for this, the antibiotics actually made it worse.

The G.P used their years of training and clinical experience (along with clinical guidelines) to make a judgement and prescribe the most appropriate treatment. The urine sample was likely contaminated by poor sampling technique which means it gets overgrown by other flora from the patient and therefore it is impossible to identify the bacteria. There is a time delay between sample collection and being received by the lab, then the sample has to be set up alongside 1000's of others. If something grows, it takes at least 48 hours then antibiotic sensitivity testing takes another 24 hours and then the result has to be authorised in several stages including by a doctor at the hospital. These things take time unfortunately and it's often quicker and cheaper to prescribe a first line antibiotic and await the sensitivity results to make sure they are on the most appropriate treatment.

Sounds like the gp is doing their job. Stop
Whining.

Depends on the GP I suppose.

I had a problem with UTIs a few months ago. Each time my GP did a dip test and prescribed an AB within a couple of hours. The sample was then sent to the lab and a couple of days later I got a phone call just to let me know that I was on the correct AB.

Urine dipsticks in over 65’s are of limited value as often throw up false positives, so the GP was exactly right in sending the sample.

What did your daughter expect the GP to do? She suspected sinusitis and was treated for it, if you/her thought the treatment was inappropriate why call a Dr in the first place and not use self care.

Who calls a GP for ‘a heavy cold’ ? And there is no such thing as ‘ mild flu’

Tbh they rarely do a physical examination for anything these days anyway. It’s not like the GP could have seen anything if your DD was there in person, so I can understand why they prescribed antibiotics given a sinus infection can turn very nasty.

Unless you have a medical degree, you don't know as much as the doctor did. So zip it or pay to go private. But I'm betting you're one of those "but I pay their wages" types.

Well, I had the opposite. Paid to see a podiatrist, diagnosed osteoarthritis in my feet. Told I'd need an X-ray. Emailed GP to ask if I can be referred for X-ray without coming in - no, I have to go in. Go in, tell her the facts, she doesn't touch or really even look at my feet, refers me for an X-ray.
Go for the X-ray same day, called by GP three working days later, they want me to come in and discuss the results. Get an appt for three days time, go in only to be told the X-ray doesn't show anything so there's nothing wrong with me. Both of those appointments could have been done by phone.

And it's great that the X-ray doesn't show anything except that doesn't explain why I can barely walk.

So I got referred to a triage specialist in the practice, when I asked what their role was the GP told me she couldn't really explain it. I hope he can when I see him, because I will be unamused if he can't! Mid Nov is the first time he is free.