NHS doctors comment

[RaindropsRainbows]

I saw an NHS consultant today, and during the consultation, as he was taking notes and going through my medical history, he asked what I did for a living. I told him I worked for an investment bank. He looked at me and said, “Oh, you must be very rich.” I replied, “Haha, not as rich as you think.” After the consultation, he mentioned that I would need medication and asked if I wanted a prescription. I said yes, please. Then, he told me that I could also buy the medication over the counter and added that NHS shouldn’t be subsidizing rich bankers like me. Is this normal? Are prescriptions now based on your job? I could be working in an investment bank’s canteen washing dishes for minimum wage (I am not but that’s not the point). AIBU?

As a hospital consultant of many years, I think this is an inappropriate comment. I would not have said it. It wouldn’t even have crossed my mind. Some doctors really don’t know how to communicate. It’s crazy.

Not all of them!

Unless you get free prescriptions, it that what he meant?

I’m not a banker and I’ve been told this, very seriously by a G.P twice. So I did just go and buy the product, if I’d known I wouldn’t have bothered going to the G.P at all.

Why do they ask what you do? I don’t see how it’s relevant, unless you are there for a sick note because you can’t do your job.

FGS it was clearly a joke! 🙄 No GP would say this - and mean it!

GoodFriendsRock · Today 20:11

As a hospital consultant of many years, I think this is an inappropriate comment. I would not have said it. It wouldn’t even have crossed my mind. Some doctors really don’t know how to communicate. It’s crazy

Thank you for what you do.

My husband’s life has just been saved - for the second time - by a wonderful surgeon.

I’m an NhS consultant . I think this was inappropriate and would not have dreamed of saying this to a consultant.
I would occasionally suggest that drugs such as paracetamol or aspirin be bought over the counter by someone working as the cost to the NHS of a prescription is much higher than the cost of the medication to the patient. Not often though…

Sorry clearly tired…would not have dreamed of saying this during a consultation.

Yes, it was rude and inappropriate.

I would have asked him if on his very nice consultant’s salary the NHS is also subsidising him.

To be honest I am surprised he offered you the option of a prescription if you can buy it over the counter. I think his comment was out of line, but I think he would have been right just to tell you to go and buy whatever it was.

He's right though.

You be surprised but some medicine is cheaper over the counter .wonder if that's what he is suggesting

It usually means it’s cheaper…been remotely prescribed high strength iron tablets and online they are a third of the price

I don’t know why we’re asked what we do for a living in hospital appointments. It always feels intrusive to me.

If you see him again, ask him if he pays for his prescriptions.
He sounds like one of those people who think they're much wittier and funnier than they actually are.
Just forget it, he's not worth bothering about.

Unless someone is getting free prescriptions or being prescribed a VERY long course it definitely won't be cheaper to pay the prescription charge than buy paracetamol or ibuprofen off the shelf!

YADNBU the whole point of the NHS is that it is free at the point of use. It is funded by the taxpayer and we have a progressive tax system to which you contribute. The NHS depends on high earners to be net contributors. Comments like the ones this fool made encourage the already too frequent belief that we should not help each other out, that taxation is theft and that the NHS should be privatised. Doctors opposed the introduction of the NHS resulting in the currant system that permits consultants to work both privately and for the NHS.

He is ignorant.

The thing with drs are there very bright but don't always have the best people skills this seems like a misjudged attempt to be funny and build a rapport i doubt he meant anything by it. Drs often ask you what you do for a living just to build some form of relationship so that your seen as more then just a body. I'd also be mindful of if the dr was originally from the area as humour is very different dependent on where you live. I really wouldn't think to much of it.

His comments were not appropriate, especially considering his own salary will be in excess of £100k.

However I can’t help wondering, given his comments, what the prescription was for. Weight loss injections or other otc medication? I personally would always buy otc medication rather than a prescription if it was an option. In my opinion prescriptions where there is an otc option should only be available to people below a certain income.

It's not just cost though, unless the medication is significantly more expensive than the cost of a prescription it might not be worth the hassle of ordering a repeat prescription and having it dispensed.

It’s normal to ask your job but the comment was rude! Some things are cheaper OTC but he sounds like he was being a twat!

Wow people out here really do try to be offended by everything!

NHS doctors aren’t supposed to prescribe medication that can be bought over the counter. The cost to the NHS of prescribing and then dispensing the medication is significantly higher than the actual cost of the medication, so it’s a waste of NHS resources.

I agree it was inappropriate and I'm really surprised posters think it's ok.

It was inappropriate.
But I'm surprised a consultant was giving you a prescription. They usually write to your GP with recommendations and it's the GPs responsibility to issue the prescription