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Getting your money's worth and level of service.

(5 Posts)
GoodAfternoonTea Sat 22-Nov-25 11:26:34

Where I live we have to pay privately for a GP. We get 15 minutes for €40. My GP had me in and out in 2 minutes. They did look flustered and in a hurry and were running late. Then I went to a therapist at €100 per hour and was given 30 minutes. They had asked all the questions and just wrapped up the meeting by standing up and shaking my hand. Is one entitled to the full time to ask questions etc or allow oneself to be politely dismissed? When I first arrived at the therapists, I stood in reception waiting and they were in full chat with a mate of theirs so completely ignored me for about three minutes until the other therapist asked if they could help me and pulled first therapist away from their chat. Am I just getting old and cantankerous? I could say something but it would frame me as a miserable old woman! Are the times a-changing?

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sat 22-Nov-25 11:30:42

Well if you’ve left the consultation room feeling no further on, I’d be feeling short changed.

CariadAgain Sat 22-Nov-25 11:51:11

I guess you are in southern Ireland then? A friend of mine there on low income fills me in frequently on just how much she gets charged for healthcare.

Two minutes is absolutely ridiculous - even if the cost of an appointment is met by the NHS. But, with you being charged for it - and not an insignificant amount either I'd be there saying "I've paid for 15 minutes and that's what I need" and sit right back down. Followed by seeing if I could find a replacement GP that didnt pull that stunt.

With the therapist pulling that stunt too = I wonder if it would be worth looking into assertiveness training - as they both "walked straight over you" and it would be useful to check out whether they are getting the impression it's okay to do that. I wonder how many of their other patients get treated that way? It does take some doing to stand up firmly/but politely for oneself - as so many of us have been trained into "doing what we're told" - rather than thinking "Is that fair - to both of us?"

But - yep...sounds like you need to sack the therapist too and find another one. If you do go back and see them - then perhaps you could start with "I was charged for an hour the other day - but only got 30 minutes in the event (give the start and finish times). So can I presume it's half price today - in order to cover the fact that that appointment was cut short?"

Because someone does body language and/or giving instructions telling you what they want does not mean one has to "obey". Just ignore the body language - if it's unreasonable and keep proceeding with the appointment if you need to and you've not used up your "time ration" yet.

GoodAfternoonTea Sat 22-Nov-25 13:13:21

CariadAgain

I guess you are in southern Ireland then? A friend of mine there on low income fills me in frequently on just how much she gets charged for healthcare.

Two minutes is absolutely ridiculous - even if the cost of an appointment is met by the NHS. But, with you being charged for it - and not an insignificant amount either I'd be there saying "I've paid for 15 minutes and that's what I need" and sit right back down. Followed by seeing if I could find a replacement GP that didnt pull that stunt.

With the therapist pulling that stunt too = I wonder if it would be worth looking into assertiveness training - as they both "walked straight over you" and it would be useful to check out whether they are getting the impression it's okay to do that. I wonder how many of their other patients get treated that way? It does take some doing to stand up firmly/but politely for oneself - as so many of us have been trained into "doing what we're told" - rather than thinking "Is that fair - to both of us?"

But - yep...sounds like you need to sack the therapist too and find another one. If you do go back and see them - then perhaps you could start with "I was charged for an hour the other day - but only got 30 minutes in the event (give the start and finish times). So can I presume it's half price today - in order to cover the fact that that appointment was cut short?"

Because someone does body language and/or giving instructions telling you what they want does not mean one has to "obey". Just ignore the body language - if it's unreasonable and keep proceeding with the appointment if you need to and you've not used up your "time ration" yet.

You are so right. The other therapist seemed much more tuned in and I am changing my GP in the practice to someone who has had some great reviews on social media. Luckily, I am only doing 2 sessions with the therapist as it is for diet so finished with them next week.

bonbons01 Sat 22-Nov-25 13:16:18

Do you have a smartphone Good AfternoonTea? If so, you could set a timer on your phone and it will ping you when the time duration you set it for is up.
I know plenty of people who do this, eg. as reminders when they've paid for parking. It could be a very handy thing for you to do.