I am grateful to Dr Balfour for bringing the "Filler" to the notice of many who, like me, had missed it.
The reported case has the following lessons :
1. The current system in the English NHS, where the GPs are obliged to see patients mindful of the ticking clock, is unworthy.
Solution? Eliminate the tick box culture. Let the GP be free to see the patient and treat as (s)he deems fit. Just pay them an annual capitation fee.
A personal note. Years ago, I worked in an honorary capacity, for torture victims in London. I saw the patients for as long as necessary (fortyfive minutes reserved for first appointment) as often as necessary. To my knowledge, the other volunteer doctors adopted the same attitude.
You could rejoin that the Exchequer funds were not being depleted. True.
2. The patient described was an undocumented Hispanic. In England, the counterpart could be a long-bearded, unwashed person perhaps smelling of beer, referred on from A and E. Might be a non-English speaker. You seek an interpreter.
Interpreters fall in to two categories:
a) Those who faithfully interpret, seeking clarification as necessary.
b) Those who regard themselves as "patients' advocates".
Category b) are undesirable IF the doctor is on the side of the patient's medical interests and there are no legal complications.
3. In every major conurbation, at least one, may be even four in London, there should be "walk in clinics", funded by the billionaires (of whom we have plenty), rich states (such as the Saudi Kingdom). I am sure there would be plenty of retired doctors willing to serve the "indigent" patients in an honorary capacity. If these clinics are for all comers, or, if some of them are for adherents of one particular religion, it matters not. The poor patients will get better. The NHS will have some relief.
I ask - where are St Mark, St Bartholomew, St Peter, St George and all other Saints? Could the Archbishops of York up north (BRADFORD CONURBATION), Canterbury at LAMBETH and around, the Cardinal of WESTMINSTER, the CHIEF RABBI, not help?
There used to be the German Hospital, the Italian Hospital, the London Jewish Hospital. All worthy institutions.
Rapid Response:
Re: Beyond etiquette based medicine
I am grateful to Dr Balfour for bringing the "Filler" to the notice of many who, like me, had missed it.
The reported case has the following lessons :
1. The current system in the English NHS, where the GPs are obliged to see patients mindful of the ticking clock, is unworthy.
Solution? Eliminate the tick box culture. Let the GP be free to see the patient and treat as (s)he deems fit. Just pay them an annual capitation fee.
A personal note. Years ago, I worked in an honorary capacity, for torture victims in London. I saw the patients for as long as necessary (fortyfive minutes reserved for first appointment) as often as necessary. To my knowledge, the other volunteer doctors adopted the same attitude.
You could rejoin that the Exchequer funds were not being depleted. True.
2. The patient described was an undocumented Hispanic. In England, the counterpart could be a long-bearded, unwashed person perhaps smelling of beer, referred on from A and E. Might be a non-English speaker. You seek an interpreter.
Interpreters fall in to two categories:
a) Those who faithfully interpret, seeking clarification as necessary.
b) Those who regard themselves as "patients' advocates".
Category b) are undesirable IF the doctor is on the side of the patient's medical interests and there are no legal complications.
3. In every major conurbation, at least one, may be even four in London, there should be "walk in clinics", funded by the billionaires (of whom we have plenty), rich states (such as the Saudi Kingdom). I am sure there would be plenty of retired doctors willing to serve the "indigent" patients in an honorary capacity. If these clinics are for all comers, or, if some of them are for adherents of one particular religion, it matters not. The poor patients will get better. The NHS will have some relief.
I ask - where are St Mark, St Bartholomew, St Peter, St George and all other Saints? Could the Archbishops of York up north (BRADFORD CONURBATION), Canterbury at LAMBETH and around, the Cardinal of WESTMINSTER, the CHIEF RABBI, not help?
There used to be the German Hospital, the Italian Hospital, the London Jewish Hospital. All worthy institutions.
Competing interests: Just a patient