Last week, after failing to get a GP appointment I went to an A&E with an eye department after flashing/floaters were seen. Checked out very thoroughly within a couple of hours, and told if it recurred/got worse to come back
*immediately* for checks &laser treatment if necessary.
As it was it was PVD without tears so I was OK, but a retinal tear is a common complication which they were prepared to laser immediately rather than leav it and risk a full detachment which needs more facilities to treat.
I'm only 2 miles away, but buses and weather are significant factors. Last time it was urgent I had to insist on an appointment and then had trouble getting there. I don't mind walking or cycling, usually, but atrial fibrillation does take its toll on the hills. The GP diagnosed acute anaemia and referred me immediately. In the hospital and seen within a couple of hours. Cardiology not amused by diagnosis.
When I had an eye problem, the optician suggested going straight to Moorfields. I did, on a Tuesday evening the A+E was practically empty so I was seen straight away. Admitted straight away for operation on detached retina. Which was then delayed 24 hours when other emegencies came in. I had a problem with floaters in the other eye about a year later, that time there was a queue, and someone whose sole job seems to be to ensure that everyone was attended to, at least according to some official definition thereof, within four hours. (but not it seems anything much less than 3hrs and 55 minutes).
Yes, sure it is. The NHS is amazing, our policemen are wonderful and the BBC makes the best programmes in the world.
OTOH maybe you are "Flat-earthing".
My GP has just last Thursday, declined to get my 2 retinal bleeds + a new cataract examined or treated at all 'till I next see an optician in 12 months time. Be clear about this, he would not even look at them. Well, he gets his money whether I go blind or not.
I have private health insurance at the moment, it would cost the NHS nothing for any treatment but I just have to get a referral from my GP. If I am to get NHS standard treatment and can't get treated at a time that fits in with work I might as well stop paying the premiums, go on the NHS waiting list to get my treatment at NHS expense and go on benefits if I lose my driving licence and can't work while I'm on the waiting list.
Pay your money, see a specialist and get on the list, but yes, private health care is a bloody sight faster. Son got knocked off his bike and broke a collar bone. NHS x-ray said they couldn't do anything, it would sort itself out. Went private, 2 x-rays, different angles, multiple fractures, needs a plate. Done within 3 days. Moral - NHS don't give a shit - money talks.
In the situation of thinking something wrong with my eyes, my GP said to see an optician. Not least because most surgeries do not have the equipment or expertise to properly examine eyes. I made an appointment straight away - even though not due for another year - and went to see one
- who then referred me directly to the eye consultant.
Second consultant appointment coming up in a couple of weeks or so. All within two or thee months.
It seems, in the case of eyes, the opticians and the ophthalmologists have cut out the middle man (the GP), which makes sense. I sometimes wonder whether GPs perform any useful function these days since they either do nothing or refer you to a specialist
All this, and more, but only between 9 and 5. I long ago decided that trying to make an appointment was impossibly complicated, so I just wait around and see the most junior doctor. Very pretty she is too.
Well I can only speak as I find as the NHS has been every good and effective for me. I have had things done by private and NHS medicine and the main difference is it seems in time keeping private appoints run to time NHS ones do drift a bit.
However the main Hospital around here is Addenbrookes which is much better equipped then the private ones, there're fine for relatively simple things but anything more complex they aren't quite in the same league
No they don't they can and do treat a number of things. Ever wondered why there're called General Practitioners?..
You can't just go and see a specialist like that they'd be no point at all. Its best to be seen by a GP who can diagnose the problem or knows where to and who to send you for further treatment of examination...
Bit like a triage nurse in an accident dept who has to weed out the urgent to non urgent cases..
But it doesn't always work like that in the real world.
You can make an appointment with and see a private consultant at the drop of a hat. And the GP's letter, if he ever sends it, might turn up any time after. Which means he is NOT performing any form of triage.
And in relation to one issue I know well, the GP cannot spell or pronounce the disease, had never heard of it, and sent my partner to two inappropriate consultants before allowing her to go to the one she knew she needed!
Yeabut just how many of the great British public could make the decision to see which consultant?. You need the GP to treat the simpler things and diagnose the more important...
Yes, there are good and bad GP's like most any other trade or profession.
There're human and not infallible thats the problem;)...
So how did your partner know what she had wrong then?. that the GP didn't?..
Course if you don't want to answer that quite understand patient confidentially etc;!..
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