Save the NHS? Why?

I've been lurgied for nearly 3 weeks now, and despite seeming to start getting better at one point, I suddenly started getting worse, so today my boss sent me home early, and this morning I made an appointment to see the GP.

My appointment was for 5:20PM, so I got there for 5:10PM. I waited and waited, until 6PM when I finally got called in (there were only 4 people in front of me). Rewind slightly, when I arrived in the car park, I noticed brand new signs everywhere saying that maximum waiting time was 1 hour, and after that you'll get clamped it is a £95 release fee, so I was worried about that but figured my health is more important.

I wanted to discuss my current lurgy, but also a slightly longer term concern that's been worrying me. It is the fact that sometimes my left arm goes numb, and sometimes, AFTER (not during) physical exertion, I will for no reason become increasingly breathless, heart gets faster and faster til I can hear in drumming in my ears, and more than once I've actually collapsed. In fact this was the main reason I wanted the appointment, the current lurgy was just what spurred me on to book it. But, the doctor said he was in a hurry because he was running behind schedule. He spent literally less than 1 minute listening to my chest and writing out a prescription for antibiotics for a chest lurgy. He wouldn't even listen to my concern that there may be something wrong with my heart or blood circulation, a matter which I made it clear was vastly more important than a winter chest bug. He just said "make another appointment on your way out". I replied "but I did make an appointment, this is it, I'm here now having booked an appointment", but he was having none of it.

So between not being seen on time, threats of fines if your car is parked for too long while you are waiting to be seen long after your appointment time, and a complete and total disregard for patient's concerns, ie an unwillingness to do the job they are paid for, I'm pretty annoyed about it all.

That's the NHS I guess.

 

My GP is the same @clueless1, your lucky you got antibiotics my GP thinks that paracetamol cures everything.
I've had a pain below my left shoulder now for 8 weeks and it's not going anywhere been to see him twice in that time and like you I was in there 2 minutes max.

 

Clue, I hope you booked a very prompt next appointment before you left the Surgery today?
Jenny

 

No, I asked for a complaint form, left, and registered at a different surgery.

 

My GP visited my Mother, told her she was dieing and didn't have long left, up until that point she did seem to have a bit of hope and was reasonably cheerful, although very ill, after he left she went downhill fast and died 4 days later.

He then rang me to say he was sorry.
Where do they get these people from?

 

I

I ask myself the same question

 

I use the local vet

 

I rang our G.P. twice the day before my husband died, and the district nurse also asked him to call, he rang me and told me there was nothing he could do for him, what about comfort to a dying person ?.
I never went back although less than a mile away I have moved to another surgery 4 miles away.

 

GPs get a salary starting from £54k per year, to tell you they're too busy to do their job.

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/doctors/pay-for-doctors/

 

Go to any greyhound track and the trainers will tell you they all consult the vet for themselves.

 

There's a idea (best not though I'll be put to sleep)

 

There are worse things than that.

 

And what about support to the person who was primarily nursing him?

 

I was going to say, try another doctor, but sounds like you've taken action. I usually see a particular lady GP at our practice, she runs late but always listens carefully to concerns and takes sensible action. No wonder she's popular, she only works one day a week and there's a few weeks wait to get an appointment with her.
I recommend a team practice, where there's a choice of doctors, depending whether you've got an ingrowing toenail or something needing more careful discussion. There'll usually be lady doctor too.