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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think GPs should do their job

579 replies

Wotnokids · 14/10/2021 06:35

Just heard the news that £250million is to be made available to GPs to 'increase the amount of face to face appointments'. AIBU to think this is just extra cash for doing their job?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
ARudeTerriblePerson · 14/10/2021 23:43

You say they have to record the nature of the consultation, but what if they don't? Does anybody notice or care?

echt · 14/10/2021 23:45

@ARudeTerriblePerson

You say they have to record the nature of the consultation, but what if they don't? Does anybody notice or care?
Because I can see them typing it in when in person, and when I phone they can refer to my last appointment, who with and what it was about. Why would they not do this?
ARudeTerriblePerson · 14/10/2021 23:45

@echt I know because of the way they speak to me. They have no info about me. It's just a locum grabbed by a receptionist as she passes.

Lentil63 · 14/10/2021 23:46

@Seashor

Have a go at doing their thanklessly exhausting job then come back and tell us.
I so wish there was an option to my appreciation for a comment because I appreciate your comment massively.
1990s · 14/10/2021 23:47

[quote ARudeTerriblePerson]@echt I know because of the way they speak to me. They have no info about me. It's just a locum grabbed by a receptionist as she passes.[/quote]
Right, and how did we get to the situation where a lot of doctors are locums?

By underfunding the service, giving them shit working conditions and now people abusing them?

ARudeTerriblePerson · 14/10/2021 23:49

At my last f2f appointment, booked for 20 mins, about an upcoming cancer prevention diagnostic test, which had been abortive 3 months before, the GP said ""Wait, why are we doing this?" Even though I had had various telephone consults in the meantime.

echt · 14/10/2021 23:50

[quote ARudeTerriblePerson]@echt I know because of the way they speak to me. They have no info about me. It's just a locum grabbed by a receptionist as she passes.[/quote]
Then that's not a phone consultation, is it?

ARudeTerriblePerson · 14/10/2021 23:52

@1990s What we do know is that it's not the individual patient's fault. Nor is the atrocious management of some surgeries. Nor is the minimum wage paid to receptionists.

ARudeTerriblePerson · 14/10/2021 23:53

@echt what is it then?

chitchatchatter · 14/10/2021 23:53

@Theworldisfullofgs

To all the GPs who have come on to this thread and helped inform us about what's really happening, thank you for all you do.
Couldn’t agree more.

This thread has been quite eye opening, in a number of ways.

tradition · 14/10/2021 23:57

[quote ARudeTerriblePerson]@1990s What we do know is that it's not the individual patient's fault. Nor is the atrocious management of some surgeries. Nor is the minimum wage paid to receptionists.[/quote]
Perhaps blame the government for underfunding ??

echt · 14/10/2021 23:59

[quote ARudeTerriblePerson]@echt what is it then?[/quote]
I've no idea. Did you make an appointment for a phone consultation?

MrsFezziwig · 14/10/2021 23:59

Is it a coincidence that the OP is a new poster today posting controversial subjects on the same day the GP issue is on the daily mail & BBC front page.

Doubtful - in fact quite a number of new posters on a topic that you wouldn’t really need to namechange for.

And teachers who have come on here to complain about GPs - you’ve got short memories.

ARudeTerriblePerson · 14/10/2021 23:59

Well, hardly. If they are sticking up for patients against the monolith that is the BMA, that is an unusually good thing they are doing.

MrsFezziwig · 15/10/2021 00:00

For the hard of thinking:

To think GPs should do their job
To think GPs should do their job
Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals · 15/10/2021 00:03

@Immaculatemisconception

I’m in favour of them offering face to face appointments. Everyone else in the NHS hasn’t had the luxury of working remotely.

Rosemary Leonard said on breakfast this morning that doctors know best, what is good for their patients. I beg to disagree. The idea that doctor knows best is completely outdated. I know my body better than any doctor.

Why? Are you actually qualified to diagnose yourself with myriad diseases - if so wtf are you bothering your gp for? You want unaligned people to have a look at you? Fair enough but you’re angry with the wrong folk, I’m afraid. I rang our gp surgery today and will manage to wait a week for a telephone appointment - the poor receptionist was in tears because I know her a bit and blurred out that it was her last day today because she can’t take it anymore.
Purplepeoniesdroppingpetals · 15/10/2021 00:04

*qualified ffs

ARudeTerriblePerson · 15/10/2021 00:04

GPs could go and work inside hospitals, which would be best by far for patients, but they won't do it.

MrsFezziwig · 15/10/2021 00:05

@ARudeTerriblePerson

Well, hardly. If they are sticking up for patients against the monolith that is the BMA, that is an unusually good thing they are doing.
Oh well, at least someone is sticking up for teachers - another welcome change on this site.
tradition · 15/10/2021 00:11

@ARudeTerriblePerson

GPs could go and work inside hospitals, which would be best by far for patients, but they won't do it.
How would this solve the problem of lack of GPs and shortage of appointments?? And I don't think many patients would be happy to traipse to out of town hospitals (in my local area this could mean 2 or 3 buses) to see a GP

Actually, some hospital trusts do have GPs at A&E to weed out those that shouldn't be there but where would continuity of care come into this scenario. You know, most patients like to see their regular doctor if given a choice

Namenic · 15/10/2021 00:12

Arudeandterdible person - or they could go work for pharma, finance, insurance, tech. They could move to Australia. I’m sure there are lots of things gps could do.

Hospital care is way more expensive than in the community. U.K. has many fewer beds per capita than many European countries.

julieca · 15/10/2021 00:17

They are doing their job. I love having video calls instead of having to go into the surgery.
My friend who has cancer would not go to the GP surgery - has to go there regularly - if they are having everyone back into the surgery for every cold and sniffle. And yes most people who go to the GP go with pretty minor stuff.

julieca · 15/10/2021 00:19

Bloody hell I don't want to traipse all the way to the hospital for a GP appointment. A terrible idea.

ARudeTerriblePerson · 15/10/2021 00:31

Well, I think everybody, including GPs, want us to go to the chemist with minor stuff.

julieca · 15/10/2021 00:33

Yes that would be a good plan.

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