The Docs Never Fail To Amaze Me
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
June 29, 2011 6:22pm CST
Poor John. He's having problems with his leg again...and this time he is NOT scratching it.
If you remember, he "gave in" a few weeks ago and visited the docs over his inflamed ankle and sores on his leg that he kept scratching, making them worse. He was prescribed some tablets for the infection and - more importantly, TWO types of cream, one of which had steroids in it, if memory serves.
Now, the steroidal cream was brilliant for John's leg but didn't last very long. When he went back for another check-up he wasn't given anymore but I think he was prescribed more of the other cream that's no good. He has one tablet left that he will take tomorrow in order to get him through work.
I say the cream is "no good" because he rang the docs in agony begging for an appointment, only to be told the next slot is on Friday at 11am..and it's not with the doc but with the Nurse Practitioner..again. What I can't understand is..if he WAS given an earlier slot he would go into reception and I promise you, there would be no-one waiting. Neither of us can remember the last time we were at the docs and there were LOADS of people waiting..it just doesn't happen anymore.
What on earth are these doctors doing? Are they on commission at the hospital or what?
Time and again we make appointments with a doctor only to be seen by a Nurse Practitioner. Sorry, but the two AREN'T THE SAME!
John's case proves it. If he'd been prescribed a load more of the "better" cream he wouldn't have to take time off work in order to go back, would he?
I reckon he didn't get a big supply of cream because he gets his meds for free.
Just a thought!!
What's it like in your area? When was the last time you saw your OWN doctor as opposed to a Nurse Practitioner? The same thing is happening where Mum lives as well so I suspect it's happening all over England too. When I think of the money these doctors are on it makes my blood boil, it really does.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
30 Jun 11
we don't have our own doctors and don't get medicines for free if it is outpatient service like John.If we are in hospital,the doctor of inpatient department who is on the shift then makes us a diagnosis and gives us treatment.If enjoying free medical care,medical expenses can be reimbursed 60% or so.The same with the doctor of outpatient,we seldom make an appointment with doctor.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Jun 11
To be honest I reckon John would've got better treatment at (either) Cuedoc..a kind of emergency centre or Accident & Emergency at the hospital. He thought that the docs would be the best bet but the treatment is hit and miss from them. I suppose we could change doctors but the ones we use are the nearest and cover this area of Carlisle we live in. It's also handy to actually walk there, which is the whole idea of having a local doctors' surgery.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
30 Jun 11
Who is making the decision about whether John sees the nurse or the Dr? Here I call before 9am and I can see a Dr the same day. I have only ever seen the nurse for routine BP testing and asthma inhaler changes. Can you change your surgery? Also, why doesn't he call and ask for a repeat prescription for the steroid cream. He may well not need an appointment to see the Dr that way; just drop in to pick it up.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Jun 11
I know you like the medical profession but..seriously, they're useless up North, where there's no money anymore.
John literally begged the woman on reception (from work) for an appointment with a doctor for today but she was adamant that he couldn't be fit in at any time, until Friday. Knowing John it would've been very early when he rang as he knows the system..same as yours. If the guy had been on duty in reception he would've fit John in somewhere as he's waaay more efficient than the girls that work there. This is the reason why I do this pick-up service (for John) from Lloyd's the Chemist as cutting out the docs altogether works wonders, for his other meds.
The steroidal cream didn't actually get rid of the problem so it's no good getting a repeat prescription for that as the legs needs to be examined...again.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
29 Jun 11
I always see my own doctor but she has her own office not attached in any way to the hospital. My sister, on the other hand, never sees a doctor, she just goes to a nurse practitioner. I don't know how they can charge a doctor's office visit if you don't see the doctor.
I don't know if doctor's are on commission at the hospital but I do know they work together on a lot of things and I'm sure it's for their financial benefit rather than for the patient's.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Jun 11
It is free to see our GP (General Practitioner) or doctor, over here. They get paid quite a lot of money to not see anybody.
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
29 Jun 11
My doc is in a one man office. We see him. I think doctors are more conscientious about not keeping us waiting. In the job with the adult disabled many of my clients saw doctors in practice group. Often they would actually see one of three Physicians assistants--a little more training than a ARNP. Actually the girls preferred to see the PA's that were females and I felt they got better treatment and they would talk about what bothered them more. Here we can buy a steroid cream over the counter. It is called cortizone cream.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
29 Jun 11
Yes, we have that too but I think the version John had was more potent, therefore it was on prescription. This is why (I think) he should've been given more, especially after his recent follow-up visit. You see, the sores had reduced but were still there, so that should've rang alarm bells with the Nurse but they didn't. Couldn't be bothered is my guess.
In the good old days we COULD see a doctor at a Medical Centre. Those have existed for quite some time, often with 3 or more doctors based there. Now, the one in Blackpool and the one here in Carlisle have something in common...the doctors that SHOULD be treating their patients have given over that responsibility to the Nurse Practitioner, who, in the old days, would take blood on occasion and that was about it. She/he would never diagnose anything..because they weren't trained to do so.
Therein lies the rub. There has been training which explains the fact they DO diagnose patients now. But, my argument is, where are the doctors? It's their practice so why aren't they practising?
Does my head in.
Haha!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
30 Jun 11
Though I have not been to the doctor lately, my boyfriend has and when he schedules an appointment it is usually a month away. Sometimes depending on the urgency they will fit him in but not on the same day. It appears because of his insurance they do not do walk ins and or fast appointments as they always want to check his benefits first. Does not matter if it is the same insurance with no changes they still always want to check and never want to do it for the same day.
I so hope John gets relief from his leg as any man who usually rings a doctors office must really be in great pain. Most men I know usually hesitate regardless of the ailment.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
30 Jun 11
Well, to be honest, John is in this mess because he didn't visit the docs much earlier..but better late than never!
