Schools now Doctors

[GillD46]

I completely agree that those Practices that use the Premium Rate numbers are immoral. My husband's accountant suggested he and his partners change to one - they refused!

[royalprincess]

GP's surgeries are not allowed to use premium rate numbers. If your one does then you need to report them to the local PCT and they will be forced to use a regular landline. This is the law. I got mine to change by doing so and all the others in the area had to change as well.

Most of you are lucky my surgery only opens 16 hours a week - it takes 3 days to get through and then at least three weeks to get an appointment and when you get there you have to wait at least an hour before you are seen and there is no confidentiality - receptionists are often heard discussing patients within earshot of the patients waiting - despite complaining nothing changes and I am threatened by the receptionist with removal from the doctor's list if I continued to complain. I've complained to the doctor but she just shrugs her shoulders and says that they don't do that but they do. Dcotor is horrible but cant change to another as they don't take patients from other doctors in the area - only new patients to the area.

[haveabeer]

I believe that you can register with a new GP as long as it's in your area and able to accept new patients you don't have to give a reason why

[royalprincess]

I believe that you can register with a new GP as long as it's in your area and able to accept new patients you don't have to give a reason why

Not where I live you cant. They dont do it fullstop. They are a cartel - new to area only.

[Silver_Shiney]

I believe that you can register with a new GP as long as it's in your area and able to accept new patients you don't have to give a reason why

Not where I live you cant. They dont do it fullstop. They are a cartel - new to area only.

That, IMHO, is disgraceful. I would get your MP involved.

[arcadialover]

And another thing it is a premium number that you have to ring.

Have you tried http://www.saynoto0870.com/ to find their real number?

Yes tried that and no other number is listed. I will definitely raise it with the PCT.

[haveabeer]

I believe that you can register with a new GP as long as it's in your area and able to accept new patients you don't have to give a reason why

Not where I live you cant. They dont do it fullstop. They are a cartel - new to area only.

Would that not be against the NHS rules it clearly states that you do not need a reason to change i would be asking PCT about that

[royalprincess]

I did complain to the PCT but their response is that the GP's are entitled to decide who they will take on or not. In my area they are all friends with one another either personally or having worked at each other's surgeries in the past and gone out on their own. So I'm stuck with a useless GP and their equally useless staff until she retires.

[Silver_Shiney]

I would, in that case, definitely raise it with your MP and perhaps even the Health Secretary.

[royalprincess]

I would, in that case, definitely raise it with your MP and perhaps even the Health Secretary.

Been there done that. The response is that GP's can chose who they take on. If they say only new patients to the area only that's what they mean. The only time you get to chose is when a GP retires.

[haveabeer]

Well I would not accept there response I would kick up such a stink they would have to listen.
But that's me, they are there to look after the sick and paid to do so out of our taxes.

[Not so ancient mariner]

GPs are generally running their own business as private contractors providing a service to the NHS - and I have to say that some would appear to be very much business people first, and clinicians second, though fortunately most do not fall into this category.

The other problem is 'mandatory training' or more accurately the way that it is orgainised and monitored. Only a few weeks ago I came across one of our nurse consultants having a heated discussion with the education & training people.

It transpired that they were berating her about the fact that her records showed that she had repeatedly failed to attend the mandatory training on a particular subject. Her defence was that she had written the Trust policy on this subject - and often led teaching sessions on it - so (a) why did she need training on the subject, and (b) who did they suggest would be qualified to do it?

[jacksparrow]

My doctors only take people that live in a given area… we have a village surgery and it only opens in the mornings monday through thursday and friday afternoons…. we have survived so far….

[Stephen]

One of our grandchildren was sent home today complaining about an earache on looking he has a small lump appeared on his ear so we rang the Dr surgery and guess what they now close on a Tuesday afternoon for staff training we could not even book an appointment for tomorrow what is going on there seems to be a pattern here Schools inset days now Dr's what next police fire brigade ambulance drivers
We had to take him to A&E no wonder our Hospitals are at breaking point

Nothing new there Dave.

You now have to book an appointment in advance on the off chance you might become unwell at some point in the future

What was outcome of the ear problem with your grand child. Nothing serious hopefully.