Three Quarters Of Gps Want To Go On Strike

[naomi24]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/02/three-quarters-gps-want-strike-poll-reveals/

 

If they do will anyone notice?

[retrocop]

I won't notice our registered GP on strike. I haven't seen her since before covid by yet she is allegedly still at the practice.

[Barsel]

I don't even know if my GP is still at the practice, he might have left for all I know.

[Old_Geezer]

Didn't know they still existed. Always get to see a locum when I book an appointment with the surgery.

[ToraToraTora]

I thought they were on strike.

[davebro3]

//82 per cent said they would strike because of high workloads //

How does that square with many (on here) seemingly finding it hard to get a GP appointment?

[barry1010]

I'd notice.

[naomi24]

I wait up to a month for a telephone appointment - and then I have no idea who I'm talking to.

[jno]

I've had no problems at all with my GP surgery, they did well throughout Covid and still are.

[New Judge]

How does that square with many (on here) seemingly finding it hard to get a GP appointment?

It squares because the vast majority of GPs work only part time. About 10% of them work fewer than 15 hours per week. Another 40% of them work between 15 and 30 hours. 30% of them work between 30 and 37.5 hours (37.5 hours is considered to be full time). That leaves just 20% who work full time or longer.

Some of those working part time for the NHS work elsewhere in the health sector. I know this because Mrs NJ had to arrange a private GP appointment earlier this year having singularly failed to get a face to face appointment after four weeks of trying to see a doctor for what turned out to be quite a serious problem (neither of us troubles a doctor with trivilaties - it's too much hassle). The GP she saw at the private practice was one alleged to be working at our NHS surgery. An appointment was arranged within 36 hours of first trying. The only difference being it cost her eighty-five quid to see her (plus a shedload more to actuallu get the problem sorted).

My "Health Centre" has an "administration" team consisting of the following:

Practice Manager (1)
Practice Operations Manager (1)
Reception Manager (1)
Reception Supervisor (1)
Receptionists/Administrators (6)
Scanner (1)
Secretary/Care Co-ordinator (2)
Clinical Coder (2) [??me neither??]
Practice Medicines Co-ordinator (2)
Medical Records Administrator (2)

Those 19 assorted scribes and clerics support the following people involved in (potentially) healing the sick:

Advanced Nursing Practitioner (1)
Practice Nurse (2)
Clinical Pharmacist (1) (although there is no pharmacy)

The two practice nurses "job share".

And now the sharp end:

GP Partner (4)
Salaried GP (1)
GP Registrar (1)
Physicians Associate (1)

Of these seven, just one (a GP partner) works full time. The GP Registrar (i.e. a trainee GP) spends a lot of time away from the surgery undertaking additional training (which is understandable). From what I learned during a protracted discussion with the practice manager earlier this year (following Mrs NJ's failed attempt to secure an appointment) the hours worked by the six part time doctors equate to just under two Full Time Equivalents. The sole "salaried GP" is the one working at the private practice.

So we have nineteen people supporting the equivalent of three doctors (including one trainee), two nurses and a pharmacist. That's why people cannot secure GP appointments (at least where I live).

I've rather given up on seeing a GP should I ever need to. I've resigned myself to the fact that whatever medical atention I or Mrs NJ need we will have to sort out for ourselves and pay for. We're lucky - we can afford to. Many cannot.

forgive me for divering the thread, but please don't wonder why I get cross when I read that migrants on the "Bibby Stockholm" have their own medical centre, including a GP service, available on site:

https://news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/2023/11/28/update-on-the-bibby-stockholm-from-the-multi-agency-forum/

"To minimise the impact on local health services, the Home Office has provided additional funding which NHS Dorset have used to commission a team from Bournemouth that has previous experience working with asylum seekers.  The medical facility on the barge will be staffed 5 days a week, providing a GP service with which the asylum seekers will register, this means they do  not need to register with a local practice."

[Khandro]

I can make an appointment & see my excellent, caring doctor within 2 or 3 days and have regular 6 monthly check-ups with vatious specialists on my prostate, heart and skin (all is well!).  Just saying.

[david small]

The only pans that I would bang would be around the heads of our never present or available GPs. 

If you do prick me, do I not bleed? They couldn’t answer...