[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by DemolitionRed

They are certainly trying to deprofessionalize a lot of the health care departments Kizzy. My GP now has one doctor on duty at any one time and they tend to be newly qualified GP's; the rest are nurse practitioners.

A friend of mine who has FM had been referred to a pain clinic in Leeds and waited a staggering three months to be seen, became suspicious that the man who was asking her to go through her symptoms whilst he busily typed up her notes on a computer, wasn't a doctor. It turned out he wasn't even a qualified nurse but someone who had been trained to say all the right things. To make a comparison, I used a pain clinic in London a few years ago and I was seen by a doctor and offered a whole load of options (medicine wise). All my friend was offered was a therapy group to talk about her pain.

This is what happens when you have medicine for profit business. Less and less will become available to us and eventually we will be expected, just like our American friends, to have insurance cover or get the barest minimum.

Actually you're right my sister is an ANP and she is constantly reminding practice managers that are constantly 'suggesting' things ...Like ANPs doing care home visits, most complex care issues are way out of her competency. Now you would think they would be happy for her to point this out and save embarrassment should it be discovered? Not so.
She is taking her ANP training and going back to the minor injuries unit she left to take a the position in GP practice.
I'm glad your friend found out when she did, it's the norm now to be placed with ANP if you don't specify you require a doctors appointment. Has your friend joined any FM support groups? they are a great place to find out about available treatments.
I am seriously considering getting some health insurance, my son has a congenital heart condition and I'm just not as confident as I'd like to be. He was due a 2yr check last november, I've chased it up but he's still not been sent for!

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I am seriously considering getting some health insurance, my son has a congenital heart condition and I'm just not as confident as I'd like to be. He was due a 2yr check last november, I've chased it up but he's still not been sent for!

Sad to say we'll be going private as soon as we can afford a good level of cover. I hate the idea of the UK going private like the US and I know that the more people who jump ship, the more likely that is, but when it comes to your family's health what choice is there but to be selfish?

My father-in-law had a heart attack and required a triple bypass 18 months ago... he was under NHS care for the first few weeks after his heart attack before looking into his work contract and realising that he had significant health cover through his work, at which point he immediately switched to private. The difference in the service these days is staggering. The NHS is being deliberately drained of funds and the level of patient care is starting to falter badly.

This is IN NO WAY the fault of the doctors, nurses, or any of the other front-line staff. It is 100% political.

[James]

There is an interview with Jeremy Hunt about the NHS in today's Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...ity-revolution

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by James

There is an interview with Jeremy Hunt about the NHS in today's Guardian.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...ity-revolution

I've posted a link to that article, you're not reading my posts are you James? tsk

[James]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I've posted a link to that article, you're not reading my posts are you James? tsk

Oh right, I went back a page and didn't notice it.

[user104658]

It's the same right across the board. We already pay for private Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy for the youngest. It's not even that the NHS therapists aren't good at their jobs, they're perfectly well qualified, there just aren't anywhere near enough of them for it to be effective. You might get a speech therapist every 7 or 8 weeks or so an Occupational Therapy... even getting an assessment appointment is almost impossible. They are booked solid, forever. They work with her on language stuff at Nursery too, and they're great, but they're not trained speech therapists! So basically, it's go private or get nothing .

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

It's the same right across the board. We already pay for private Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy for the youngest. It's not even that the NHS therapists aren't good at their jobs, they're perfectly well qualified, there just aren't anywhere near enough of them for it to be effective. You might get a speech therapist every 7 or 8 weeks or so an Occupational Therapy... even getting an assessment appointment is almost impossible. They are booked solid, forever. They work with her on language stuff at Nursery too, and they're great, but they're not trained speech therapists! So basically, it's go private or get nothing .

Oh don't... gah, the stress I had when my lad was at school? It's a wonder I'm not bald! Be thankful she has a dx, I got the old ADHD tale and offered ritalin every 6 months :/ No foff with them!

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Oh don't... gah, the stress I had when my lad was at school? It's a wonder I'm not bald! Be thankful she has a dx, I got the old ADHD tale and offered ritalin every 6 months :/ No foff with them!

We've had a diagnosis since just before she turned three, essentially self-diagnosed her and pushed for the diagnosis directly through a paediatrician (who did so almost straight away). We were told at the time that it's not the "normal" route that they're willing to go down, which is essentially that a referal has to be made either through a Health Visitor or the child's nursery, and then there's a whole trail of appointments and BS. Meaning that most won't even be seen by anyone qualified to make the call until they are at least 5 or 6, by which point there are usually learned / masking behaviours that make it even harder to get an ASD diagnosis. We have a friend with a 6 and a half year old boy who (in my opinion) has very clear ASD, it was even clearer when he was a toddler, but his mum still can't get an official diagnosis to get him more help.

It's shameful really. People trust the system to make the right call but the truth is, unless you do the research yourself and fight like hell, they make it very hard. Even then, you have to do it confidently and eloquently in order to be taken seriously... my wife basically went in there like "Hello Dr, my daughter IS autistic, please sign a letter to this effect" rather than asking the poor guy's opinion ... I wouldn't mess, to be fair .

But, that ALSO shouldn't be the case - any parent's concerns should be taken seriously, especially those who are unsure and seeking advice. People are just palmed off for months or years. A workmate of mine (who has a son with Aspergers, now aged 21) didn't get a diagnosis until he was nearly 10, by which point he had already had countless educational issues. By that point it's almost impossible to get the best outcome.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

It's the same right across the board. We already pay for private Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy for the youngest. It's not even that the NHS therapists aren't good at their jobs, they're perfectly well qualified, there just aren't anywhere near enough of them for it to be effective. You might get a speech therapist every 7 or 8 weeks or so an Occupational Therapy... even getting an assessment appointment is almost impossible. They are booked solid, forever. They work with her on language stuff at Nursery too, and they're great, but they're not trained speech therapists! So basically, it's go private or get nothing .

a lot of occupational therapists are frankly useless.

[Kizzy]

I could've done with your missus on my side Had to parade in front of countless bods all through school, none had a clue. As he could read they weren't bothered that he couldn't write :/
Anyhoo won't bore you on here but it was hell.

[DemolitionRed]

Sighs...its depressing stuff to read Kizzy and TS but I'm not at all surprised and I don't blame either of you for thinking about/going private. At least you know you and your loved ones are in safe hands.

I just wish more people were aware of what's going on. When I try and explain to people, I'm sure they think I'm spreading some sort of conspiracy.

[smudgie]

I must live in an exceptionally lucky area.
My problem is the oppsite, every month there is some note or other to be picked up with my script, to see this person or that person, see the nurse, phone the doctor, go for tests or yet another pee in a bottle.
Have a routine check at the hospital and the next thing I know I am told some other dept would like to see me.
I asked for an OT referral by phone to my doctor and heard from them within a week, had home visit more or less straight away with a follow up and equipment installed.
It really saddens me to hear that this is not the norm for all. Is it some sort of postcode lottery?

[Parmy]

The man deserves a pat on the back considering the unions have been dithering over this for 4 years now. ****ing get on with it you moaning doctor *****.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by parmnion

The man deserves a pat on the back considering the unions have been dithering over this for 4 years now. ****ing get on with it you moaning doctor *****.

the real problems is the majority of junior doctors don't want to work weekends, the minority don't mind and they were getting double time for it. it has to be made a compulsory part of every doctors timetable.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by the truth

the real problems is the majority of junior doctors don't want to work weekends, the minority don't mind and they were getting double time for it. it has to be made a compulsory part of every doctors timetable.

You realise there's A LOT more to these contract changes than mandatory weekend work, right?

[Kizzy]

Are radiologists and consultants subject to this re-structuring of contracts, is mortality not affected by them?

[smudgie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Are radiologists and consultants subject to this re-structuring of contracts, is mortality not affected by them?

I am thinking the next on the list is consultants..good luck with that one.
If the hospitals and surgeries are to be open 24/7 then it makes sense that ALL of it needs to be open and in full working order.

[user104658]

I'm going to ask again Truth since you seem to be flat out ignoring the question:

You are aware that there's much more to the dispute than weekend working, RIGHT?

[Kizzy]

Well well well....

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jeremy-hunt-forced-humiliating-admission-7781987#rlabs=7%20rt$category%20p$4

[Red Moon]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Well well well....

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jeremy-hunt-forced-humiliating-admission-7781987#rlabs=7%20rt$category%20p$4

It seems he might not have the legal right to force the contracts on the staff.

Personally I think it is the start of some kind of government U-turn on the whole Doctors contract mess the man himself help create.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Red Moon

It seems he might not have the legal right to force the contracts on the staff.

Personally I think it is the start of some kind of government U-turn on the whole Doctors contract mess the man himself help create.

Spot on and anything that now has made a u turn on this possible is great news.

As you rightly point out however, this really is/was a mess of his ow making.

[Kizzy]

Isn't it wonderful? Step down Hunt!

[Red Moon]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Isn't it wonderful? Step down Hunt!

We can only hope.

[the truth]

Its a tragedy for all sides and for patients especially. Both sides are a disgrace.
clearly the weekend service is appalling. clearly the doctors deal labour did in 2004 is the main part of the problem in allowing 90% of gp's to opt out of all out of hours work, thus putting too much pressure on hospitals. clearly the service provided by some hospitals is sub standard, clearly the enormous mass of middle management, administrators and incompetent wasteful often corrupt trusts has cost the nhs billions...the eu rules limiting and making it so difficult to recuit enough medical staff outside the eu has killed us too....that's why we recruit so many 1000s of staff and pay them private sector wages
hunt has been charmless and boorish throughout. the bma are a disgrace. the all day strikes are immoral in every possible way
the cover ups under labour were appalling with the record mrsa, the 1000s of patients starved, the bullying of staff who wanted to complain, the weakening of the ombudsman, that type of kronyism is akin to communism and is every bit as dangerous as the rush to sell off the nhs

both parties are a disgrace

the nhs has to become less of a political football and less burocratic and wasteful

most life saving machines are barely used a few hours a week

[arista]

Tomorrow is the Danger Day Tuesday

A&E included in the Strike.

Hunt MP is not backing down at all.
he says the BMA are Very Political,
if true thats wrong.

I wonder how many Deaths
will go on TV News?
That will not help these Hard Working Jnr Doctors