More Wasted Money.

jambutty · 27-11-2006, 13:19

5,000,000 people will be asked to take part in a survey to find out if they can get an appointment with their GP when they want it, subject to a slot being available. GP’s who come out well in the survey will get an extra £8,000pa. The total cost of this ‘white elephant’ from the public purse (our taxes) - £75m.

The object of this waste of money is to try and find out when people require the service of their GP. People want to see their GP when they are ill and they can become ill at any time. Sadly some people consider a minor ailment that can be sorted by a visit to a chemist, as a reason to see their GP.

I don’t know about anyone else but my doctor has daily surgeries from 9:00am to 12noon then late afternoon into early evening Monday to Friday with just a morning surgery on Saturday mornings. After morning surgery Monday to Friday and on some evenings he does any house calls.

So he will work from 9:00am until about 7:00pm or 12noon on Saturdays. Or put another way - 53 hours per week plus his on call time once or twice a week. Do we really expect the GP to work longer?

Dare I suggest that the £75m would be better spent on more nurses and doctors in hospitals? Yes I do dare!

Ianto.W. · 27-11-2006, 14:05

How do they know it will cost £75m to conduct this or any other survey, or do they think of a number and spend accordingly?

grannyclaret · 27-11-2006, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

Dare I suggest that the £75m would be better spent on more nurses and doctors in hospitals? Yes I do dare!

exactly .............

jambutty · 27-11-2006, 14:23

They have clever people on high salaries and inflation proof pensions in Whitehall to do the sums Ianto.W.

WillowTheWhisp · 27-11-2006, 14:54

So the GPs who can cope and are not overworked get an extra £8,000 and those who are already struggling to meet their patients' needs don't get a bean? Oh yes, that makes perfect sense.

Margaret Pilkington · 27-11-2006, 15:14

Well, in my Gp's practice you could be dead and buried before you get an appointment......that's if the reception staff will pick up the phone.

Margaret Pilkington · 27-11-2006, 15:17

Oh, and I should say that I am not one to frequent the surgery unless there is something seriously wrong with me.....I have to be bullied, coerced and on one occasion tricked into going to see the quacks.