To think that people have become completely incapable....

[memorial]

Ok so I'm a GP (yes yes I know I could be anybody) and have been for over 20 years.
But bloody hell our society have become completely and utter incapable of any kind of self care or self responsibility. I have never known anything like the kind of demand we are facing. And I'm sorry most of it is just complete and utter nonsense. Over and over again.
Genuinely ill and needy people are being lost in the deluge. It's absolutely impossible to offer any kind of decent care. And we are losing doctors, nurses and staff rapidly. And we cannot recruit. It's not about pay It's about absolutely ridiculous workload and risk.
Yes the system is broken yes we need more of everything.
But every single thing does not need GP hand holding. It doesn't need 2 page complaints because you didn't get what you wanted when you wanted it.
Some days I just think people won't be happy until I go and wipe their arses for them.
I'm done. And it's not just me.

The way Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba was treated really bothered me.

This ruling (warning) has given quite a few people the shivers.

www.mpts-uk.org/hearings-and-decisions/medical-practitioners-tribunals/dr-faye-hawkins-nov-21

www.mpts-uk.org/-/media/mpts-rod-files/dr-faye-hawkins-13-jul-22.pdf

A whole other argument is how we are going to deal with a massively ageing infirm population. For me personally, I'd far rather die younger than have a shit ending at an advanced age. But I appreciate there are lots of complicated issues entangled with that.

Oh I remember her! And remember thinking she was treated disgracefully.

Sorry people are taking you away from the 'jab, jab, jab'. Poor you!

And yet here you are Mrs Self-Appointed Thread Police 👮‍♀️

I am not picking on anyone. I am pointing out that thread jacking is inappropriate. I’m sorry you cannot follow that, it’s a simple premise for most.

Suffering a loss does not give anyone carte blanche to behave like an arsehole.

You’re not suggesting this shouldn’t be the case, are you? It’s entirely inappropriate for a woman to see a Ago With these complaints; a GP can’t perform a cardiotocograph to assess fetal wellbeing, an ultrasound scan, ascertain where bleeding is coming from and arrange further investigations etc.
I sympathise with you 100% but you’re coming across as disparaging of some other health professionals and it isn’t fair. We’re all facing similar pressures and should be supportive of our colleagues.

Surely at triage they should be able to see through all that.

I read about that case in the JuniordoctorsUK Reddit.

The bit left out of the court case is that the the patient’s parent went to find the paediatrician after assessment to say that the girl looked better and they wanted to take her home. Initial impression was of gastro which wasnt unreasonable. The GP thought the same as the paediatrician. The paediatrician gave the usual advice about coming back if she worsened but somehow the paediatrician was still deemed sufficiently culpable to be given a warning.

It’s a toxic culture where hospital doctors are worked past their limit but are also aware that the GMC will throw them under the bus if there’s an adverse outcome.

That Reddit site will be an eye-opener for many. Newly qualified docs working for £14 an hour, too many hours, too many patients and morale is very low. The OP is not alone in being burnt out and over it.

I think so so much of our health service suffers due to lack of exercise, poor nutrition, too much alcohol and being over weight. If people were raising their heart rate in exercise a few times per week, eating their 7 portions of fruit and veg a day, getting some fresh air, I honestly think the NHS wouldn't be in trouble at all.

I hate to break it to you, but even healthy people get old.

The juniordoctorsUK Reddit is also adamant that the consequences for brown doctors following an adverse outcome are much worse.

What statistics/evidence are you basing this on?

Brieandcamembert I'm sorry for snapping, I didn't mean to be rude.

@memorial- wow your day off is a bit of a bombardment - another day at work.

Why does EVERYBODY need a face to face?

Why does everyone feel that their condition is only solved/treatable/ cured by a GP.

My GM is 94, with dementia, and immobile way before the dementia.

She did not know what I now know- the info just wasn't there then.

She and I used to have a little joke..... she used to say to me -

'Dr so and so told me, Mrs ... every evening after your evening meal, go for a little walk, just around the block, it will be good for your health.'

She was so proud to tell me this.

I would ask 'but did you ever do it?'

'Oh no' she would say proudly.

Some posters here seem to just want to be cantankerous, as my GM would say. Many, many have just posts, issues, experiences - but let's not shoot the messenger.

My health is my responsibility - diet, lifestyle, etc. My GP is there for the serious things.

YANBU OP.

I've read a decent amount of the thread and I firmly believe that a lot of the public have no idea of the workload in primary care. Today I got home at 7.30 and I'm logging on again now until midnight to try to get ahead with some tasks. Otherwise, people won't get their scripts and their blood results won't be read.

I've had a patient put the phone down on me when I said I couldn't help him with his rat infestation and suggested he call the council for advice.

I've had patients asking me to help two hospital departments communicate better between themselves . Can I ask cardiology to send the results to gastro. No! You ask them yourself.

It's these things that we are dealing with day to day.

It's clear that a lot of people are struggling and I've managed to avoid burnout so far by being on autopilot most of the time, so I can help them as much as I can. But it's hard when you're the only GP not off sick for more than 10k patients!

I can barely get through to my GP, let alone waste their time.

God forbid I actually want a lump seen in person and not just emailed across too!

Yes, I can imagine some people waste lots of time. But most people struggle to access care, not overuse it.

It's a joke. I can't believe how much GPs are paid and they're nos getting away with not even seeing their 'patients'. The service is a mockery.

@Cheeriyo we love getting cards. Like, REALLY love them. They go up on our board in back reception. Everyone gets a puff up from cards, positive feedback on the NHS choices website etc.

I gave my GP a hug today as she had a little cry as one of her MH patients had give her a small gift and a beautiful, personal card. She’s had a really shitty year (including arguing that secondary care see a teenager with suspected sarcoma - they said she was being ridiculous, saw him under duress. He had a sarcoma and died recently) and that really touched her. She’s so exhausted and frustrated with the system, but a card and a token gift has give her a little more impetus to keep going. She was reminded that what she does is invaluable and touches lives for the better.

For context, I have a degree, albeit not medical, just a standard BA.

Working in a public sector role for £21k. I also work evenings to keep up with my workload.

GPs are out of touch if they worry about working extra hours once they've driving home to their 5 bed home in their mercedes, eating food from Waitrose and looking forward to their trip to Canada next month.

Honestly, "burnout". Try working hard in a job much lower paid.

I just wanted to say thank you. GPs and all practice staff are under a huge amount of pressure and I just need you to know that you are appreciated hugely by our household.

The amount of brown nosing is vomit inducing. As for the OP's spelling...hmmmmm

Completely oblivious. It's not 1960 you know.
I trained for 10 years. I have 2 further postgraduate qualifications. I have 25 years experience.
I am a single parent. I live in a modest 3 bed terraced house with a teeny tiny garden. I drive a 10 Yr old Renault. We only holiday abroad every other year usually TUI.
I am always overdrawn.
But if I get something wrong I could face years of investigation, possibly a manslaughter charge and lose my livelihood. Not to mention the emotional damage.
What happens if you get it wrong?

Oh sorry I shop in asda or aldi. I dont know where the closest waitrose is.

Oh dear. Never mind pet. Just count your money and think of the time you save by not taking any conditions that affect women seriously.

But if I get something wrong I could face years of investigation, possibly a manslaughter charge and lose my livelihood

Lol. As a GP in the UK? That's vanishingly unlikely.

You're fine.

Its the responsibility of the job that causes people to burn out. Being polite to timewasters takes a toll. You will be seeing someone who you know is wasting your time, you must be polite, professional, and they are deluded because they think you are some sort of friend. For some people, seeing the doctor and being diagnosed is proof that they matter in some way, so whatever the matter, even if it is trivial, they are recognised. And then you will see them again after they have nothing better to do than use the same behaviour on the receptionist who can be tougher with a stranger than they can with a malingerer who will be around to moan and complain and generally make your life difficult.

Only a really strange person wants to be sick or hang around medics or find positive reasons to go. But I think for some, it gives them a sense of purpose when either others won't listen to them, because nurses, doctors etc have to be polite where others would not bother.