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My doctor was late to my appointment because he had been at the local country hotel full of asylum seekers...

706 replies

doodiethewonderdog · 17/01/2026 10:59

When was the last time you had a home visit? Is this a way of managing the " problem" by them taking clinics there? Is it a way of hiding this issue? I understood they did not have access to the NHS yet I see massive bags of medicine labelled for this hotel too at the dispensary. We wait about 6-7 weeks for a routine appointment.

My doctor was late to my appointment because he had been at the local country hotel full of asylum seekers...
OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
ManagerAtDrsSurgery2022 · 17/01/2026 14:21

Hello. Were you still seen the sane day?

ManagerAtDrsSurgery2022 · 17/01/2026 14:21

*same

Tryagain26 · 17/01/2026 14:25

Whatever you say yes it is a goady post and I don't believe you wait 6 weeks for an appointment. You certainly wouldn't if it was urgent. I had an appointment the same day when I had a suspected chest infection and so did my husband
You have no idea why the doctors were at the centre, what the situation was or who they were treating. And I am am sure that your treatment has not been affected because they are also treating other people who need treatment.

EveningSpread · 17/01/2026 14:25

You’re right that the government has a responsibility to adequately provide infrastructure for its citizens, taking into account the need of those who arrive here because of issues like war, poverty, climate change etc.

Your focus on “men” shows you to be suspicious and narrow minded. There are many women and children among asylum seekers. Where they are men alone, it can be because the journeys are costly and perilous.

The problems in the world are such that if you’re going to get angsty about your
GP being a bit late, sadly I think you’re going to find it very difficult to handle the future we all face. Climate change is changing the world for the worst, and we’re lucky that the most obvious effect we can see it immigration. It won’t always be the case.

AdarajamesAgain · 17/01/2026 14:25

doodiethewonderdog · 17/01/2026 12:48

It's sad that something like this cannot be discussed properly. I would love to hear what suggestions the insulters have as how to deal with this issue in the long term. Many people are fed up with these issues. I grew up with many people who were immigrants and I never knew as a child that the names were not even of my country. One side of my family are first generation immigrants but the difference is these people worked hard and brought their families. I'm not seeing this right now.

Well as they are banned from working whilst awaiting their case being heard, it's not exactly their fault they can't work! 🤔🙄

RavenclawWitchy · 17/01/2026 14:26

doodiethewonderdog · 17/01/2026 11:23

The question is why is an NHS doctor out doing home visits at this place when NHS funds are not supposed to be used?

GPs are private businesses. They have NHS contracts but also run private consultations.

Greyarabsdrinkthewind · 17/01/2026 14:27

Stigsmother · 17/01/2026 14:01

The doctor is visiting for the same reason as they visit care homes, to see the greatest amount of people in the shortest possible time.

^^This. We send one nurse into a big care home in our area two mornings a week seeing all the residents that the staff are concerned about (we don’t require a referral in advance). Anyone who can think clearly can see it’s better and more time efficient for us; its obviously better to do 2 long visits a week than numerous short visits randomly spread through the working day, secondly we then can staff the two days accordingly. It’s better for the care home staff they can ensure a member of staff is available to accompany the nurse and also for the residents and their families it’s better often families want to meet with the nurse to discuss the progress of a wound etc.
If the OPs practice has a contract to provide health care to a hotel housing asylum seekers homeless etc I’m sure they take the same view.

Blushingm · 17/01/2026 14:27

What is your actual issue?

Would you have said the same if the Dr had been at a nursing home? Or a school?

LakieLady · 17/01/2026 14:27

WhyIsThereSoMuchWashingAllTheTime · 17/01/2026 13:49

Do you know how many british people are homeless or living in temporary accomodation. Do you know how many british people can't access a GP appointment in the mad 8am system.

Are they less than human?

I'm surprised that so many surgeries still require patients to use the "mad 8am system".

All the surgeries round here have an online system where you submit a request, which is triaged. Then you get an appointment with the doctor(F2F or telephone, according to whether a physical exam is needed), an appointment with the practice nurse, a message saying they've sent a prescription to your nominated pharmacy, a referral to another service if that is more appropriate (I was referred to physiotherapy the same morning as I submitted my online request).

It works brilliantly, and when a GP appt is needed, it's usually the same day or the next working day. And because it's so successful, there's a lot more receptionist time available to respond to phone calls from people who don't have internet access or aren't tech savvy enough to use it.

My MIL's surgery 40 miles away in outer London operates something similar, and she makes online appointments perfectly happily at the age of 87!

nocoolnamesleft · 17/01/2026 14:30

The proportion of NHS staff that are immigrants is generally higher than the proportion of the local population that are immigrants. Without immigrants the NHS would collapse.

HoskinsChoice · 17/01/2026 14:31

The administrators of Mumsnet are an absolute disgrace. The last time I looked, this thread had been pulled. It is racist, trolling and full of misinformation. How on earth it is back, I do not know. Well, I do. It's back because they don't care as long as they make money.

How did we get to this point where social media owners are so greedy that their morals are nowhere to be seen.

Blushingm · 17/01/2026 14:32

doodiethewonderdog · 17/01/2026 11:21

It's sad that this cannot be discussed. It's not goady. It's a matter of fact for some people. What is Labour's solution? To build new homes for these men. How do people on council waiting lists feel about this. We ARE allowed to raise these issues.

You e still not asked a question.

What does this situation have to do with council housing?

You are aware these people are entitled to treatment and it’s a better use of time to see them all at once than for example arrange 20 translators a week?

Thryre humans

LakieLady · 17/01/2026 14:33

GalaxyJam · 17/01/2026 14:08

They’re not ’illegal’ unless/until their asylum application is refused and they don’t leave.

If I had £1 for every time this has had to be explained on here, I'd probably have enough to pay for a GP to provide care for everyone in an asylum seeker hostel for a year.

I think some just don't want to believe it's legal to arrive in a country to claim asylum. I had to explain it to my SIL and BIL the other day, and I'm positive I've explained it to them at least twice.

Cheese55 · 17/01/2026 14:34

nocoolnamesleft · 17/01/2026 14:30

The proportion of NHS staff that are immigrants is generally higher than the proportion of the local population that are immigrants. Without immigrants the NHS would collapse.

Tbf with nurses, it's a way of keeping the wages low. If it was paid and staffed properly, it would be uk staff. It's another way of exploiting overseas workers.

suburburban · 17/01/2026 14:35

Blushingm · 17/01/2026 14:32

You e still not asked a question.

What does this situation have to do with council housing?

You are aware these people are entitled to treatment and it’s a better use of time to see them all at once than for example arrange 20 translators a week?

Thryre humans

They probably will jump the housing queue though at some point though. There has been a scandal in the London boroughs about corruption in housing.

does anyone ever get deported in all honesty

EatMoreChocolate44 · 17/01/2026 14:36

doodiethewonderdog · 17/01/2026 11:23

The question is why is an NHS doctor out doing home visits at this place when NHS funds are not supposed to be used?

People's medical concerns/needs are none of your business.

Kingscallops · 17/01/2026 14:36

MyNeedyLilacBird · 17/01/2026 14:07

You'll not get anywhere with this op, only accused of being a racist! Not that that word means anything anymore.

Quite frankly no we shouldn't be providing any care healthwise for people who break into our country illegally. If I decide to rock up In someone's country illegally and demand medicall treatment, I'm sure I'll be sent on my way and if I move somewhere legally then it's on me to make sure I can pay my own healthcare but hey it seems to only be in Britain that we must give to all and sundry or we're all just dirty racist reform/conservative voters!! No wonder this country is going down the toilet!

I echo this. The most protected group will always get the usual wrapping up in cotton wool. If only they appreciated the virtuous efforts.

ChubbyPuffling · 17/01/2026 14:37

We had an asylum hotel in the village near our town (I worked there - the hotel) Our doctors' surgery ran a clinic there once a week.

Strangely enough, there were many problems caused by escaping tyranny, things like unhealed bone breaks, infections due to being run-down and travelling for 130hours in less than sanitary conditions.
Wounds that wont heal. Deep mental health issues. Infections - parasitic, fungal, bacterial, viral - you name it.
Most folks have a bit of empathy and compassion.

saraclara · 17/01/2026 14:38

suburburban · 17/01/2026 14:35

They probably will jump the housing queue though at some point though. There has been a scandal in the London boroughs about corruption in housing.

does anyone ever get deported in all honesty

Yes. My voluntary work is with asylum seekers, and yes many of those whose claims are rejected are removed to their home country.

(For accuracy, deportation is the term for those who have committed criminal offences; removal is the term for sending failed asylum seekers back to their home country)

TheMentalMentalLoad · 17/01/2026 14:38

Wait until the OP finds out that a baby born in the UK (regardless of the parents status) becomes a Uk citizen! I can’t wait to see the reaction for that.

DuncinToffee · 17/01/2026 14:40

Kingscallops · 17/01/2026 14:36

I echo this. The most protected group will always get the usual wrapping up in cotton wool. If only they appreciated the virtuous efforts.

Healthcare, shelter and food&drink are basic human requirements, you think it should not be provided?

caringcarer · 17/01/2026 14:41

doodiethewonderdog · 17/01/2026 11:23

The question is why is an NHS doctor out doing home visits at this place when NHS funds are not supposed to be used?

This happens more than people realise. I think AS are often houses in large groups in hotels and GP's go to them because they can't use NHS. It's wrong they are prioritised as not paid into NHS system but once an AS is accepted they have to be housed, given medical attention etc somewhere.

CoastalCalm · 17/01/2026 14:42

Makes perfect sense , an interpreter can be available for a block of time and many patients can be seen in a much more condensed timeframe

cestlavielife · 17/01/2026 14:43

Much cheaper and cost effective for public purse to send one doctor to hold a clinic there than each one bus or taxi.
Op dont you want doctors checking for tb or other notifiable diseases?
If your routine appt can wait 6 weeks so be it. If you have a health issue Do your e consult be triaged and get a call back in 24 hours.

Womaninhouse17 · 17/01/2026 14:45

doodiethewonderdog · 17/01/2026 11:21

It's sad that this cannot be discussed. It's not goady. It's a matter of fact for some people. What is Labour's solution? To build new homes for these men. How do people on council waiting lists feel about this. We ARE allowed to raise these issues.

'To build new homes for these men...' Do you get your news from the Daily Mail or The Express?