Thursday, January 17, 2013

Clinic appointments - phone conversations with doctors - opinions divided in Gurnshire

Gurnites will recall that this week's Leopold Street Thunderer has a splash entitled "Telephone Trials" and an in-depth article about the new appointments system with the practice and most patients now in favour according to statistics. Here's two comments we have received that show both sides of the argument from patients' perspective.

John told the Gurn: 
"Over recent times there have been a number of complaints about the new Doctors appointments system. Becaue of my chronic condition I have to attend the practice and my own doctor on irregular times.
I have to commend the new system as on just under half of these occasions a chat with the Doctor that morning with the option of an update on my prescription was sufficient. I know of no one who actually enjoys attending the Clinic although it is sometimes necessary but sometimes a chat with him a short time later is sufficient to put my mind at rest Change is difficult and not always like but I find on this occasion it is a very positive step."

Gilyan had a different view: "
"Good for Dr Stanfield having the courage to publicly state that the new system at Nairn healthcare is badly flawed. Nairn cannot afford to lose any doctors particuarly those that have practised here since the 80s.
Whilst most of us now involve ourselves in on line shopping and such like on line medical care will only always be second best in terms of patient care
We used to live in the south and they introduced an out of hours telephone triage type service which was similar to the one being introduced here. As with this service distance medical advice and diagnosis is only ever as good as the patients ability to articulate and was in the end abandoned."

Gurnmeisters note - we checked with Gilyan her use of the word on line and it is just a play on words meaning telepone line.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have to call the surgery from my open plan office. There's no way I'm going to discuss my medical problems within earshot of all my colleagues.
How would a GP feel if they had to discuss a personal matters of theirs on the phone in front of a patient?
At least give people a choice when they ring the surgery, such as would you like a doctor to ring you back or just make an appointment
I can see that I'm going to have to go sick just to make an appointment as it's impossible for me to do this in privacy at work
No one has thought this through

Anonymous said...

I was asked when would be the best time for the doctor to call back? As long as they review and refine things based on patient feedback.
I know others that have been given an appointment same day rather than waiting a week - as was common at Lodgehill.

Anonymous said...

The fact that Dr Stanfield is the third doctor to leave in recent times surely speaks volumes ?

Graisg said...

Dr Stanfield has stated his reasons for leaving the practice but there has been no other comment.
I remember visits to Lodgehill in past years and there always seemed to be new names when I took a look at the list of Doctors. I would think a steady turnover is normal in today's modern world.

Anonymous said...

I'm not allowed personal phone calls at my work, I'll just have to stay healthy

Anonymous said...

Well Doctor I'm in Trouble, Well goodness Gracious Me sung Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren, but how can a doctor diagnose your problems over the phone its an ill thought out idea especially for the older patients who maybe need the assurance of of a personal visit to the clinic & a reassuring word from the doctor, instead of a phone back which is just not the same.

Anonymous said...

re doctor i,m in trouble was sung by peter sellars and WENDY RICHARDS(pauline from eastenders)now deceased

Anonymous said...

Re doctor Iam correct its Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren, I think the song you are thinking about it called " Come Ouside " which was sung by Wendy Richards & Mike Sarne.