Grinch Corner

My doctor's surgery shuts on Wednesday afternoons. And in the 2 hour long lunch times too. You can't contact reception at these times either.

 

Mine is shut one Thursday afternoon a month , it's same old excuse, staff training.
I think I mentioned it once on the local Facebook page and immediately got jumped on by about 10 irate receptionists .
They obviously feel guilty about it, but they always shove a sign up on the door saying go to a&e if you are unwell.

 

10 receptionists! Ours has just 2, one doctor and half a nurse.

 

All from different surgeries, they go round in gangs on Facebook.

One word out of place and you will never get to see a doctor again.

 

Funny, but alas true!

 

Our surgery tries to push everybody to eConsult. The problem with that is, apart from losing the will to live when going through screen after screen repeating the same information, I've never had anything at the end other than 'Contact your GP'.

 

The upshot of an Econsult around here is either advice that you have already tried or a phone consultation. The result of an Econsult is a phone call from the GP who then decides they better see me and give me an appointment for the next day. This has also happened with the cardiology department and the physiotherapy service.

 

My experience of Physiotherapy is its just a waste of money, I'm sure there are circumstances where it is of benefit, but its just pointless in most cases where I have been given it.

It seems to be something they send you on to shut you up if you have certain aches and pains.
I dont think those that provide the service believe they can seriously help you, but the doctors use it as a way out of doing what is required.

 

That chimes exactly with me, @pete. Over about thirty years each time I have gone, I have been underwhelmed. The physiotherapy exercises they give can be so general, as to be rather redundant. The first time I was referred, they did give me an elastic stretch band which was helpful. On other occasions, I found the exercises did not 'reach' where they were supposed to. The last time I went was for a foot problem and I gave up after then. They only had the resources to give me general advice and some generalised insoles that were frankly useless. The resources just don't seem to be there. I try to 'heal myself' now, knowing that with a different system, things could be different.

 

That may be true of your surgery but certainly isn't always the case with ours. I've already stated what the message I got at the end of the eConsult process was.

 

My OH gave up on physiotherapists recommended by doctors and found a private sport physiotherapist who gave him a lot of help.

 

@Tidemark When my wife broke her leg and ended up with a metal rod and enough other metalwork to repair the Forth Bridge, she asked the consultant about a referral for physiotherapy. His response was that there was a waiting time of at least 3 months for physio, so no point in referring her. That, along with my observations about eConsult, may give an indication of the state of the NHS where I live.

 

Round here GPs can no longer refer you for physiotherapy, you have to self refer. I did this last June/July physiotherapy said they couldn't help and referred me to orthopaedics, two months ago I had an acknowledgement of receipt of referral since then nothing.

 

Hey fellow Grinches…

Thank you for sharing your stories, thoughts and whinges. Much appreciated and enjoyed.
Maybe the best is yet to come?? Annoying relatives, cooking dramas, gift mares, Flu.

Whether you are celebrating, forced into celebrations or definitely not having anything to do with ‘it’ - have a safe and pleasant day tomorrow.

 

The best may well be to come @AuntyRach! Thankyou, very well put. To you too...hope 'it' all goes well!