There should be a duty medic to call out for emergencies...IE stuff that cant wait till monday.
If its a bad stomach..the runs...or a headache then you need to consider if its an emergency, and if its not then fend for yourself until sick parade (or monday morning)
Hope this helps
Genuine question; What are you meant to do if you're taken ill when the med centre is closed?
Fend for yourself? That can't be right. I know there is emergency cover (sometimes!) but you can still be caught out, especially if you can't drive to A&E or a pharmacist!
But when does a bad stomach become an emergency ? I had a said "bad stomach" last year.......missus tried camp med centre and guardroom no answer from pager etc....she phoned NHS direct they said go to A & E....was kept in for 3 days, then sent home with an appointment to take out my gall bladder..........Med centres are a waste of time !!
Crack on.............DT_Xtremez_09:
Wow!
Of course im not a doctor, but im guessing that it wasnt just an upset stomach you were feeling in that case...
These are the facts:
Med Centres are only there to cover Service flying over weekends not patients. The local NHS Trust are paid handsomley for that privillage.
I am not surprised to read the whinging on this subject as you have been rapped in cottonwool and spoon fed for so many years regarding Medical facilities on base. The cotton wool days are gone DEAL WITH IT. You now get the same treatment at the same time as the civvy guy down the road over a weekend!
Personnel within the medical world have a good laugh (at your expence) just wishing they were a fly on the wall when you become a civvy and demand the same treatment and cover you currently get when you register with a civvy practice. I am more than sure they would take great delight in telling you to f off. As for the thread about not being able to drive...What do you think the civvy does? call out MT? No! he will get there by whatever means, I am sure you have heard of taxi's. A wife recently tried to call out the local NHS Dr for a home visit- reason- she couldn't drive- answer by NHS- not our problem! good on them! If it is a genuine emergency call an ambulance however, if you try to con them they will bill you.
Expectations of patients, especially the families are unrealistically high. It boils down to resources and the cover over weekends is financially driven. So before you slag off the Medical Centre staff remember the service you would receive from the NHS and if you don't like it PVR!!!DT_Xtremez_28:
These are the facts:
Med Centres are only there to cover Service flying over weekends not patients. The local NHS Trust are paid handsomley for that privillage.
I am not surprised to read the whinging on this subject as you have been rapped in cottonwool and spoon fed for so many years regarding Medical facilities on base. The cotton wool days are gone DEAL WITH IT. You now get the same treatment at the same time as the civvy guy down the road over a weekend!
Personnel within the medical world have a good laugh (at your expence) just wishing they were a fly on the wall when you become a civvy and demand the same treatment and cover you currently get when you register with a civvy practice. I am more than sure they would take great delight in telling you to f off. As for the thread about not being able to drive...What do you think the civvy does? call out MT? No! he will get there by whatever means, I am sure you have heard of taxi's. A wife recently tried to call out the local NHS Dr for a home visit- reason- she couldn't drive- answer by NHS- not our problem! good on them! If it is a genuine emergency call an ambulance however, if you try to con them they will bill you.
Expectations of patients, especially the families are unrealistically high. It boils down to resources and the cover over weekends is financially driven. So before you slag off the Medical Centre staff remember the service you would receive from the NHS and if you don't like it PVR!!!DT_Xtremez_28:
These are the facts:
Med Centres are only there to cover Service flying over weekends not patients. The local NHS Trust are paid handsomley for that privillage.
I am not surprised to read the whinging on this subject as you have been rapped in cottonwool and spoon fed for so many years regarding Medical facilities on base. The cotton wool days are gone DEAL WITH IT. You now get the same treatment at the same time as the civvy guy down the road over a weekend!
Personnel within the medical world have a good laugh (at your expence) just wishing they were a fly on the wall when you become a civvy and demand the same treatment and cover you currently get when you register with a civvy practice. I am more than sure they would take great delight in telling you to f off. As for the thread about not being able to drive...What do you think the civvy does? call out MT? No! he will get there by whatever means, I am sure you have heard of taxi's. A wife recently tried to call out the local NHS Dr for a home visit- reason- she couldn't drive- answer by NHS- not our problem! good on them! If it is a genuine emergency call an ambulance however, if you try to con them they will bill you.
Expectations of patients, especially the families are unrealistically high. It boils down to resources and the cover over weekends is financially driven. So before you slag off the Medical Centre staff remember the service you would receive from the NHS and if you don't like it PVR!!!DT_Xtremez_28:
There used to be a time when the RAF recruitment camapaign used "the free medical service" as one of the bonus points to join. As with most other service benefits this has also been eroded, it may still be free but it's certainly not as good as it used to be. Rather than PVR if you don't like it I would consider joining BUPA or similar at a forces discounted rate.
You mean they still lie to us?They still use it as a benefit to encourage sign ups.
These are the facts:
Med Centres are only there to cover Service flying over weekends not patients. The local NHS Trust are paid handsomley for that privillage.
I am not surprised to read the whinging on this subject as you have been rapped in cottonwool and spoon fed for so many years regarding Medical facilities on base. The cotton wool days are gone DEAL WITH IT. You now get the same treatment at the same time as the civvy guy down the road over a weekend!
Personnel within the medical world have a good laugh (at your expence) just wishing they were a fly on the wall when you become a civvy and demand the same treatment and cover you currently get when you register with a civvy practice. I am more than sure they would take great delight in telling you to f off. As for the thread about not being able to drive...What do you think the civvy does? call out MT? No! he will get there by whatever means, I am sure you have heard of taxi's. A wife recently tried to call out the local NHS Dr for a home visit- reason- she couldn't drive- answer by NHS- not our problem! good on them! If it is a genuine emergency call an ambulance however, if you try to con them they will bill you.
Expectations of patients, especially the families are unrealistically high. It boils down to resources and the cover over weekends is financially driven. So before you slag off the Medical Centre staff remember the service you would receive from the NHS and if you don't like it PVR!!!DT_Xtremez_28:
Off Topic"If you dont like it PVR"
I for one am sick of this comment being banded around as a "one size fits all" comment for ****e service or to cover up for stupid rules or policies.