To ask if my GP gets paid for this?

[namechanger563]

I've received a text from my GP practice asking for my up to date height and weight measurements. Just to keep my record up to date it says.

I'm sure I read a few years ago the GP's get paid for every patient they do a height/weight check with. Is this still the case?

So is this text just a money making exercise or are they actually going to help anyone?

Well, I'm sure your little tantrum will bring about major changes to the GP commissioning system 🙄.

I don't have my own scales. That's not an excuse to not give anyone my weight. I just don't have any. I don't want any to keep tripping over in my bathroom.

Most of the Patients I see are in their 80s and 90s. Plenty little old dears don't have scales. They don't have relatives living close by who can lend them theirs. They'd be too heavy to carry home from the shops. Some wouldn't have the mobility to stand upright independently while the weight registers. There's lots of reasons people need a face to face appointment so we can weight them. They aren't necessarily making excuses or trying to get out of it, they just need face to face.

This thread is like an argument to charge for healthcare. The amount of people who are outraged at being asked to engage with their own health never ceases to amaze . No wonder the nhs is struggling.

"We don’t get paid more for sending them messages. "
No, but sending them text messages is enough for them still to be "registered" patients in the eyes of the NHS and is enough to wade into any argument should the patient, in their absolute desperation (and in some cases fear for their life) try to change GP surgeries to actually get seen.

And don't tell me this elderly man should have gone and sat in A&E for hours and hours just to be criticised for not going to their GP.....

GP partnerships (because that is exactly what they are, private partnerships where key decisions are made by the GPs who are named as and are party to the partnership agreement of the practice) and are essentially private businesses run by the partners with very little more oversight than a commercial partnership in business out there. You yourself have cited the cost of keeping the lights on and the cost of employing a cleaner as an overhead which the GP partners have to worry themselves about.

If I ran a business and could continue to get guaranteed government funding by sending a book of contacts text messages I would be quite chuffed.

Asking some people with a history of EDs to weigh themselves without a good reason can be a risk to their health. There are risks and benefits to most things. I'm here and healthy today because I took responsibility for my own health. If more than a ballpark weight was genuinely needed I would access scales and provide it that day.

Alerts can be put on notes. The vast majority of people do not have an eating disorder. weight is an important piece of information for the vast majority of peoples healthcare.

@millymog11 you’re demonstrating that you really have no clue about primary care funding, patient registrations or NHS contract agreements. I’d stop posting now if I were you.

My point was that not wanting non essential weigh ins doesn't mean you are not engaging with your health. It's more important to take responsibility for your own health imo, which is what I focus on.

I think people are irked because they generally can’t get to see a GO very easily or even at all. I know many people that can’t get to see one & have to send a photo. My neighbour being one of them that tried & tried & eventually a gp rang her & she now is mid treatment for cancer which has spread to her bones.

I am all for GP’s getting extra funding IF we could get to see them. Sort of, you scratch my back & I’ll scratch yours.

I definitely don’t feel like anyone I know would answer yes to ‘do you feel like you’re getting the healthcare you deserve?

Maybe 10 years ago.

🤣 why should anyone stop posting? Everyone has as much right to post here whether you think they’re ‘demonstrating’ enough knowledge or not. What an odd thing to say.

I certainly haven't, and they got 20+ years of funding for me when I wasn't even here, I was still on the books at the same surgery.

That’s simply not true

Exactly. It’s astounding that someone can talk such utter rubbish with such conviction.

Because it’s not a good idea to post incorrect information whilst implying that you know lots, when you don’t.

I meant they should stop posting about things which they obviously know nothing about with such conviction. Other posters might think the tripe that they’re posting is correct.

@EmeraldFox i don’t understand why you’re so angry and making a mountain out of a molehill. You know that private healthcare is an option (good luck with withholding info from private insurance companies), especially as you keep saying how you were away for 20 years. What was good about the healthcare system abroad?

@Sidge you know how it is with fake news. Spew bullshit with conviction, draw in some gullibles with a chip on their shoulder, axe to grind etc, and off you go.

@LadyWithLapdog you’re right, I shouldn’t rise.

I'm not angry at the system, just annoyed with posters suggesting I don't want to engage with my health just because I don't want to know my exact weight without good reason such as for a medication that requires it. I don't see why it matters otherwise, I'm around 9st at 5ft 5 so no reason for concern imo. My GP surgery doesn't care anyway as they still have me down as being 7st and haven't thought to follow that up. I'm only disappointed that I couldn't get help when I did need it.

I certainly could never afford private healthcare 🤣

I'm absolutely fine with GPs being paid for the jobs that Government ask them to do, but you are under no obligation to reply. I haven't been to the GP for 20 years, so only gave them my mobile number when the Covid vaccine was being rolled out, as I didn't want to miss it. Now when I get silly texts about blood pressure or whatever, I just delete them. You are a free individual - you have choices, do what you like, respond or don't respond - it doesn't matter.

Getting a bloody text message does not change your registration status with the GP. If you're registered they get paid no matter how many text messages you get.

I believe there are additional financial incentives for additional things they do. So what if one of those is collecting height and weight data. (don't know for sure if it is) Why do you think there are incentives for this? Do you think they would be getting paid for it if it wasn't important? They get paid for doing things that improve the service and health outcomes for patients. What kind of a nutter would be angry that GPs are incentivised to do things that will help patients? So whether they send a text out of the goodness of their hearts, or because they get paid, the outcome is the same. Helps patients.

Plenty of jobs have a bonus or incentive for good performance. Is it just the evil GPs that shouldn't get this?

Fine... Don't give your blood pressure. But don't complain, and expect NHS help when you have some kind of condition or illness that results from high blood pressure - because you refuse to give it, because you CBA, because 'I'm a free spirit maaaaan?!' 🙄

This. ^ Unfathomable isn't it, that people are whinging and moaning and throwing their toys out of the pram because GASP - their GPs are trying to help them stay healthy. Those EVIL MONSTERS!!!!!!