Edinburgh - no medical access

[GaribaldiGirl]

My daughter is at Edinburgh and cannot register with the university medical centre because they are full. It seems all the local GPs are also full. So we will have to pay for a private GP. Luckily we can afford it, but anyone applying now be aware that this may be a problem.

My DD has had a really good experience at Edinburgh (same year as GGs). No problem registering for GP and really excellent service the one occasion she needed an appointment (University Medical Practise). She has also been lucky subject wise (humanities but not a popular one) with a really caring department and 8 out of 12 contact hours f2f this semester. So her experience has been quite different.

Always good to get a range of opinions!

I don't think she has any qualms about the university or the city at all, and contact hours aren't really an issue for a PhD. But managing a chronic, lifelong medical condition requires GP access so clearly that is a consideration – waiting 4 weeks (or more) to register with one isn't really acceptable for anyone, but for her would be extremely serious, potentially life-threatening, so it's good to be aware that some people have experienced problems.

@GaribaldiGirl I know this is now an old post, but for future and registering with a GP has she written to her MSP? If it's Daniel Johnson he's very good and helpful and I think would help her get this sorted out if Lothian HB haven't already. Not sure where she lives so which catchment/ GP to suggest. Hope she has found one to register with.

GaribaldiGirl Has your DD sorted anything out yet?

My DD was registered with a GP in Edinburgh, had had to have an emergency operation with a larger one scheduled at a later date. She transferred back to her English GP as she wanted to be at home for the main operation and recovery. While she was waiting for her main operation, the problem flared up a couple of times, even thought she wasn't registered with them, the uni GPs were great and saw her the same day, referring her to hospital for another hold over operation. I don't know how but she got herself home for a bit, but when she went back she was still having dressings changed and the nurses came out every day. What I'm saying it that, it might not be essential to be registered as your DD would be pretty unlucky if she couldn't find a GP in an emergency.

This matter was discussed on BBC Radio 4 Money Box programme a few weeks back. They had a legal expert looking at whether there were grounds for legal action against the Uni. If you visit BBC radio 4 website look at the section for Money Box and look at previous episodes...its a weekly programme. There is normally a summary of key discussion points per episode. That will help you identify relevant episode so you can listen.

This matter was discussed on BBC Radio 4 Money Box programme a few weeks back. They had a legal expert looking at whether there were grounds for legal action against the Uni. If you visit BBC radio 4 website look at the section for Money Box and look at previous episodes...its a weekly programme. There is normally a summary of key discussion points per episode. That will help you identify relevant episode so you can listen

I heard that too. It was a great article and had some very sound advice, including how to utilise the Uni's own Law services.