Stay healthy folks...

[klondike]

Millions of patients are told 'DON'T go to A&E' unless you're dying as NHS crisis sees six trusts warn of 12-HOUR waits while busy ambulance service tells callers to make their 'OWN WAY' to hospital

Hospital A&Es in West and North Yorkshire are only treating patients in 'genuine, life-threatening situations'
South Central Ambulance Service declared a critical incident this morning because of 'extreme pressures'

Millions of Britons started paying the Health and Social Care Levy from today to deal with Covid backlog

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-10691541/Millions-patients-told-dont-E-unless-youre-dying.html

Meanwhile most weeks I get a text from my GP saying the surgery is closing at 12:30 that day for some reason or other  varying from staff training to staff sickness.

[Scrumpy]

Fingers x I am fortunate enough not to need A&E..
However.. Should I need it I would be there like a shot.. and pass out on the floor..
My friend felt so poorly he took himself to A&E.. He sat in the waiting room chatting to a woman.. He told her that he felt 'really funny'.. He passed out and when he woke up he was surrounded by doctors.. an op followed..

[klondike]

Since it started up I'd always try 111 rather than A&E. I've used them a couple of times and they were good. I'd certainly call them in preference to the GP. You could be sorted in less time than the pre-recorded GO AWAY WE ONLY WANT PAYING TO HAVE YOU ON THE BOOKS NOT BE BOTHERED SEEING YOU message finished.

[Alex]

I've used 111 once and they advised me to go to A & E.  If I needed A & E,  I too would just go - sod em !   I'm grateful to hospital doctors, who were right on the front line during Covid, it's the bloody GPs who have been MIA that annoy me.

[klondike]

Sounds like it would pay to charge your phone and  take along ...

a power pack
lots of change
Packed meals and snacks
Sleeping bag
Wash kit
Spare underwear
Books
etc. etc. before setting out. Maybe buy a wheelie suitcase and get it packed ready just in case.

[Diasi]

I find it very concerning.

I also find it interesting that mass, often illegal, immigration hasn't been mentioned as a contributing factor.

[klondike]

I think they get GP visits to their hotel rooms....

[zoony]

Fingers x I am fortunate enough not to need A&E..
However.. Should I need it I would be there like a shot.. and pass out on the floor..
My friend felt so poorly he took himself to A&E.. He sat in the waiting room chatting to a woman.. He told her that he felt 'really funny'.. He passed out and when he woke up he was surrounded by doctors.. an op followed..

12 hour wait?? Last time I attended A&E I was on a trolley for 17 hours! I still have the apology letter somewhere!

[Scrumpy]

... and the bad back.!! 

[zoony]

 

[Flying Bomb]

Meanwhile most weeks I get a text from my GP saying the surgery is closing at 12:30 that day for some reason or other  varying from staff training to staff sickness.

Not closing for skiving then?

[Alex]

I rang up this morning to ask for an appointment, after going through lots of questions the receptionist said that they may have an emergency appointment later today.  I told her it wasn't an emergency, I had to be honest !    I expected her to give me one for next week, no such luck I've got to ring up on Monday or Tuesday morning at 8AM   Same old same old......

[Jacqueline]

I rang up this morning to ask for an appointment, after going through lots of questions the receptionist said that they may have an emergency appointment later today.  I told her it wasn't an emergency, I had to be honest !    I expected her to give me one for next week, no such luck I've got to ring up on Monday or Tuesday morning at 8AM   Same old same old......

Why be honest Alex if they treat you like that, lie.

[Michael Rolls]

Can't help but feel that, by and large, our overall GP service has become a disgrace
Mike

[GrannyMac]

I have a non urgent appointment at the GP in a fortnight.  I saw the nurse last week, just a BP check, and its a referral from that. I've also had good results with 111, when I needed antibiotics. I'm fortunate to live in a city with a walk in centre, staffed by GPs and ACPs (Advanced Clinical Practitioners).  Most of us are sensible enough not to ring 999 or fetch up at A&E unless it is an emergency.

However, I think it would be useful to have a 24 hour GP/minor injuries dept attached to big A&Es, where non emergencies can be filtered to.  That might give patients in genuine need, like zoony was, a speedier service.   Too many timewasters IMO.  My daughter worked for a time at NHS Direct, pre 111.  Some of the demands for ambulances were ridiculous to say the least.