are GPs becoming administraters

My post did have, Ana. That's why I resurrected this thread today.

I do agree about the one month prescriptions. I have 4 regular items and my OH (with PD) has countless regular drugs. We live 15 miles from the surgery! It is a total pain, and made even more complicated by the fact that sometimes we get there and a mistake has been made, something has to be re-ordered, and we are faced with anther 30 mile trip! I know that we are very lucky indeed to have these medicines available and free, but it would make our lives immensely easier if we could have 3 months worth.

I get 56 day prescriptions - but that is in Scotland.

I'm not sure what you mean, durhamjen. My post had nothing to do with paying for appointments.

Will the regular checks be fine if you have to pay between £10 and £25 for each one?

Yes Ana- you are right. Our surgery will issue 3 months worth of prescriptions for drugs like statins, BP, thyroxine

I still don't understand why, when someone is on a certain medication for the foreseeable future, my surgery won't issue more than one month's supply. (Not sleeping tablets, just run-of-the mill BP or statin-type drugs).

The regular checks are absolutely fine, but surely having to request a repeat prescription every single month is a waste of both the surgery's/GP's time and the patient's.

The survey comes after figures last month revealed nearly half of all patients who go to A&E do not need treatment.

A third only need medical advice and 13% do not even require that.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nhs-accident-emergency-charges-one-2982132#ixzz319BW9551
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OK it's the Mirror- but it certainly mirrors (pun intended) the reality out there in casualty. I could tell you some stories that would make you so mad- and those are from the 70s when OH was Casualty Officer at a London Hospital when we first met (and working 130 hours + a week). Things are much worse now (well not the number of hours worked).

Oh lilygran how I know what you mean! How dare the system grind down people of goodwill with professional skills by making them wade through all this bureaucratic nonsense.

It is unfortunate when people miss their appointments at the GP, but it truly is not worth jeopardising the whole principle of the NHS over. To be honest, GPs are so hard-pressed that a no-show gives them a chance to catch up on some paperwork, or give more time to the next patient, which they would have wished to do anyway if they had half a chance.

I have no problem about GPs wanting to monitor people's progress on their repeat drugs - they would be remiss if they did not do so.

I do however mind very much that GPs spend so much of their time being "commissioners" of health care, making financial decisions etc., when their training could be put to better use seeing patients.

Recently in hospital again. One of the nurses doing my observations waved a form at me and said, 'This is the form for recording all the other forms!'. She was on by herself.

It's not just no-shows, it's all appointments. The assumption is that if you have to pay, you will go.
My grandfather died because he could not afford the cost of medication in the 1930s, before the NHS said care would be free at the point of need.
All these GPs have been brought up under that system and do not know what it would be like if people had to pay.
I was asked to go for an appointment for an annual review. By the time I get to see the doctor it will have taken six weeks and four appointments.
I need to see her because nobody else in the practice can cope with an aortic dissection.

Granjura

Hardly a rant to state the truth.

I agree with you entirely.

If my GP didn't request to see me yearly at least instead of just dishing out repeat prescriptions- I'd be very concerned and want to change- that is for sure. 40 years on same prescription for a condition that can and is life-threatening? This is indeed quite concerning- as other comments explained.

Cannot fathom either how people expect, quite rightly, to pay for no-shows at their nail technician or haridresser- but think it is acceptable to DNA at the doctor's??? Who usually are the ones who will create if they cannot get a same-day appointment next time. Worse even, are those who dna for specialist apps at the hospital. When I had an arthroscopy done on my knee- THREE people did NOT turn up for an operation on the list for that day- despite at least 2 reminders by post (which cost the NHS a bomb) and a request to ensure that if thy are not able to attend, they must inform asap so space can be re-allocated- and then make such a ding-dong if put back at bottom of list. Yes, there can be circumstances where a huge upset happens, the death of a loved one, or being run over by a bus- but you would NOT believe ther reasons many people give- beyond belief.

Rant over- makes my blood boil. You would nto believe either the things people go to Emergency dpt/casualty for, or call out an emergeny doctor for- it is just incredible. Sadly, the result of a free NHS- people don't have to pay- and too many just do not care.

River

It's obvious it costs the NHS money if a person does not attend their appointment.

The staff are hanging around at a cost per hour but not being productive, a total waste of money.

Another person could have taken that appointment but by having to attend at another time the cost of the initial appointment has doubled in cost to the NHS because of the 'no show'.

This arguement has been going on since I qualified in 1968!
The problem is that less well off people might be deterred from asking for help and the amount of accounting involved.
Many people avoid the dentists because of the cost.

I do take your point River but I am still puzzling about how, when and why we all have to pay at the dentist (apart from pregnant women and those on benefits I believe) Dentistry is still in the NHS isn't it?

Gaga as I've said on a previous thread on this subject, very few people would be obliged to pay ...... by the time you exclude seniors, unemployed, pregnant, children, etc only people like me, still working and not yet receiving OAP would be obliged to pay.

Would anyone be prepared to pay a voluntary fee if they fell into a free category?

All very well advocating a charge to see the GP if one doesn't personally have to pay!

We are so used to paying at the dentist. Why should going to the Dr be any different really? Or should we not have to pay at the dentist? I feel confused about the whys and wherefores of this!

Yes, the good nights sleep is an added bonus Brenda.

I've never understood how 'no-shows' cost the NHS money - millions if we are to believe the headlines.

Most clinics are overbooked, the consultation time is very short, and it's rare to be seen on time - in reality a few no-shows are a good thing.

The health authorities probably use a crude method of accounting .... say each consultation cost £50 then multiply that by the number of people who don't turn up, hence they cost the NHS so many million.

I've never been a no-show by the way, just questioning the headlines.

There are a lot of these dry thickly coughs around, antihistamine is worth trying, it works for me with the added bonus that as I take it at bedtime I also get a good nights sleep!

I was so embarrassed yesterday.

I had an appointment for an x ray on Tuesday and my hubbies writing is so bad the t and u looked like a w. I mentioned my x ray and he said 'Oh b----r that was yesterday wasn't it'

When I attended yesterday I fessed up and said how greatful I was for the quick appointment but I honestly felt like I should have been charged for my 'no show' the day before especially as I harp on about the cost to the NHS of non attendence .

I am going to send £10 to Cancer Research.

I suppose it also depends on how often you visit your GP.

I am afraid I also would object to paying to see the GP. !

One Gran's token could be another's food money