So I've just come back from my doctors appointment. @ME14addick wouldn't of been happy. While seeing my doctor he coughed into his hand a couple of times. At the end of my appointment he proceeded to wish me a happy new year and shake my hand. I was given a nasal spray and i asked if I needed any tablets, he replied no. Within 3 minutes of leaving the surgery , the doctor rang me to say as it was new years day tomorrow he'd decided to give me 5 days antibiotics. The wife was in the waiting room while I was in my appointment. The wife said one of the doctors asked a Harry to come through, after a couple of minutes and no reply, a woman said do you mean Henry. Yes said the Doctor.
There is a huge amount of sickness at the moment with flu, Covid, RSV and Norovirus. To reduce the impact on our healthcare services, it needs everyone to take more responsibility and stay at home if they have symptoms. What might be just a cold to some, may cause serious illness in others. If it's impossible to stay at home, then wear a high quality mask, at least FFP2 standard.
Our emergency services are incredibly busy and in some parts of the country at breaking point.
A GP system that stops loads of sick people sitting in a waiting room waiting ages for an appointment, is much better than going along in the hope that you can get an appointment.
Mr F currently driving around pharmacies in & out of the area trying to fill a prescription for his diabetes test strips ....
This is the result of requesting a supply from our Surgery on 19th December but on collection from our Pharmacy on 27th, he found 3 items he had NOT requested in the bag but no test strips, which as of today, he only has 1 remaining. He tests 4 times per day....
Yesterday he revisited the Surgery with his problem & a new prescription was ordered for collection today. The word URGENT was clearly labelling said piece of paper for a GP to sign.
This afternoon, giving "them" ample time to complete the relevant action, he went back to the Pharmacy ...no prescription had arrived for filling.
Back to the Surgery..."Oh dear" said a different Receptionist . " It's hasn't been signed yet !"
NO GP on site ( " All on holiday" stated the Receptionist) so a call was made to a GP "somewhere" who was "working from home "....but emailed consent for said prescription to be filled. Phew.
Back to the Pharmacy ( fortunately in walking distance) " Ah" said the Pharmacist " We don't have any in stock & with NYD tomorrow, Friday is the earliest we could fill the order".
"Please ring your neighbouring branch in Ticehurst where I'll drive to obtain my supply " said Mr F ... " Ah", said the Pharmacist there " We don't have any in stock either".
Just as well Mr F was on his own as I'd have been struck off by now !
Our Pharmacist suggested he try other Payden Pharmacies in the area ..hmm. So, home came hubby where I investigated via google to find there are 2 listed in TW. I rang one whilst Mr F rang the other. No answer from my call , whilst his resulted in speaking to a a Pharmacist who didn't seem to understand which type of strips he needed. Oh joy !
Currently, he's driving into TW with the remaining strip he has to check in person with said Pharmacist. We live in hope.
Had this happened to non driving Fanny, and with the walk to the local Pharmacy & Surgery 1.5 miles, what would I have done (apart from throwing a Violet Elizabeth Bott type tantrum )?
I find this is the tip of a very big iceberg in this area. And one very important part of the NHS that is clearly failing.
And I refer m'lud to my initial post where I stated that the neighbouring Surgery in Ticehurst is due to close in the NY, with all their patients relocating to ours in Wadhurst.
And guess what's due to be built on that vacant site ?
Southern Homes who own the Ticehurst site, according to their website, had plans to develop new homes while retaining the GP practice but a fire risk assessment meant this wouldn't be viable so they say they will be submitting revised plans for 30 new "affordable" in spring 2025, made up of shared ownership homes, with the GP surgery no longer accommodated.
"Our new proposal will deliver approximately 30 new, 100 per cent affordable homes, subject to planning permission.
We are in the early stages of design development so the details have yet to be developed. We are listening to local need and will share our plans with the community once we've completed initial conversations with the council.
We intend to exhibit the plans at a local venue in the early part of 2025 and will publicise details here and in the Parish newsletter News and Views."
So, I think ROTW has jumped the gun somewhat, based on FF's cryptic question, choosing to target a group of people who have probably have had the least say in the decline of the NHS than anyone else, but are fair game to his sort, simply on the presumed basis that they are likely to be NHS users like the rest of us.
Hopefully, a solution can be arrived at where GP capacity isn't restricted in the way it currently seems destined to be. Petition here;
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
Make the most of berating those surgery receptionists while you can.
I fear we are heading to a central (not local) booking system using 111, which could give you an appointment and any of several places in the vicinity - take it or leave it stylee
I can confirm New Year's Eve (daytime) as a great time to access GP services. Requested an appointment at 8.30 ish, was called back by 9.00 and saw GP at 11.50.
Then scooted.off to Kingston Hospital for chest X-ray and blood test, done and dusted in 25 minutes.
So my tip for 2025: don't get ill for another 364 days (or plan any NYE celebrations, obvs)
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
You've only been there a few years haven't you?
It's only a problem when other people want to move somewhere else.
My mum's not been very well for the last few weeks. We think it's a reaction to some radiotherapy she had at the start of the month. Twice she's had to present herself at the surgery at 07:00 to get an emergency appointment for later that day. Which she has, but it's not really what we should have to do when you're already feeling poorly to get into see a doctor. It's not the receptionist's, or the doctor's, fault the system is utterly broken.
Coincidentally, she informed me that, to her certain knowledge, several of her friends at her bowls club go online and book appointments at our GP surgery whether they need them or not - then cancel the day before if they've no need. Then they book another one for a couple of weeks time...and so on.
I said that surely no one is that selfish but she assures me that it's not uncommon and she's fronted them up about taking up routine appointments from others (like myself who's waited months for a cardio review!) but they justify it on grounds that they're old so more likely to need them anyway. One of them does it for her husband too.
How on earth is the GP practice supposed to manage that situation?
If someone is repeatedly booking and cancelling appointments, wouldn't that flag up on the GPs system?
You would think so, but there's at least 3 different systems for booking appointments at my surgery; through the NHS app, another called Airmid or something, and their own in house appointment system. I doubt they all talk to each other as well as they could to highlight someone taking the pee like that.
Even if you as the surgery suspected speculative appointments were being booked how do address the situation? You can't really throw them off the books, imagine if they did have something seriously wrong with them, and these people know they *shouldn't* be doing it, they just place their own needs over anyone else's.
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
You've only been there a few years haven't you?
It's only a problem when other people want to move somewhere else.
Pray, do tell what you mean by that remark, Stu.
You appear to be trying to make a point at my expense.
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
You've only been there a few years haven't you?
It's only a problem when other people want to move somewhere else.
Pray, do tell what you mean by that remark, Stu.
You appear to be trying to make a point at my expense.
Not really your expense, more society in general, I made the same point on the climate change thread, we all want a better life for ourselves, like having a house, but bemoan others doing the same.
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
You've only been there a few years haven't you?
It's only a problem when other people want to move somewhere else.
Pray, do tell what you mean by that remark, Stu.
You appear to be trying to make a point at my expense.
Not really your expense, more society in general, I made the same point on the climate change thread, we all want a better life for ourselves, like having a house, but bemoan others doing the same.
Mr F currently driving around pharmacies in & out of the area trying to fill a prescription for his diabetes test strips ....
This is the result of requesting a supply from our Surgery on 19th December but on collection from our Pharmacy on 27th, he found 3 items he had NOT requested in the bag but no test strips, which as of today, he only has 1 remaining. He tests 4 times per day....
Yesterday he revisited the Surgery with his problem & a new prescription was ordered for collection today. The word URGENT was clearly labelling said piece of paper for a GP to sign.
This afternoon, giving "them" ample time to complete the relevant action, he went back to the Pharmacy ...no prescription had arrived for filling.
Back to the Surgery..."Oh dear" said a different Receptionist . " It's hasn't been signed yet !"
NO GP on site ( " All on holiday" stated the Receptionist) so a call was made to a GP "somewhere" who was "working from home "....but emailed consent for said prescription to be filled. Phew.
Back to the Pharmacy ( fortunately in walking distance) " Ah" said the Pharmacist " We don't have any in stock & with NYD tomorrow, Friday is the earliest we could fill the order".
"Please ring your neighbouring branch in Ticehurst where I'll drive to obtain my supply " said Mr F ... " Ah", said the Pharmacist there " We don't have any in stock either".
Just as well Mr F was on his own as I'd have been struck off by now !
Our Pharmacist suggested he try other Payden Pharmacies in the area ..hmm. So, home came hubby where I investigated via google to find there are 2 listed in TW. I rang one whilst Mr F rang the other. No answer from my call , whilst his resulted in speaking to a a Pharmacist who didn't seem to understand which type of strips he needed. Oh joy !
Currently, he's driving into TW with the remaining strip he has to check in person with said Pharmacist. We live in hope.
Had this happened to non driving Fanny, and with the walk to the local Pharmacy & Surgery 1.5 miles, what would I have done (apart from throwing a Violet Elizabeth Bott type tantrum )?
I find this is the tip of a very big iceberg in this area. And one very important part of the NHS that is clearly failing.
And I refer m'lud to my initial post where I stated that the neighbouring Surgery in Ticehurst is due to close in the NY, with all their patients relocating to ours in Wadhurst.
And guess what's due to be built on that vacant site ?
FFFFFFFEEEEEEEECCCCCKKKKKKKK !!!!!!!
Jean, only just seen this but you can order test strips in Amazon if you’re ever stuck again. I get through a lot of them myself as I do them very regularly. Usually available on a next day delivery. Of course, you can always drop me a line and I can give you some in an emergency.
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
You've only been there a few years haven't you?
It's only a problem when other people want to move somewhere else.
Pray, do tell what you mean by that remark, Stu.
You appear to be trying to make a point at my expense.
Not really your expense, more society in general, I made the same point on the climate change thread, we all want a better life for ourselves, like having a house, but bemoan others doing the same.
Mr F currently driving around pharmacies in & out of the area trying to fill a prescription for his diabetes test strips ....
This is the result of requesting a supply from our Surgery on 19th December but on collection from our Pharmacy on 27th, he found 3 items he had NOT requested in the bag but no test strips, which as of today, he only has 1 remaining. He tests 4 times per day....
Yesterday he revisited the Surgery with his problem & a new prescription was ordered for collection today. The word URGENT was clearly labelling said piece of paper for a GP to sign.
This afternoon, giving "them" ample time to complete the relevant action, he went back to the Pharmacy ...no prescription had arrived for filling.
Back to the Surgery..."Oh dear" said a different Receptionist . " It's hasn't been signed yet !"
NO GP on site ( " All on holiday" stated the Receptionist) so a call was made to a GP "somewhere" who was "working from home "....but emailed consent for said prescription to be filled. Phew.
Back to the Pharmacy ( fortunately in walking distance) " Ah" said the Pharmacist " We don't have any in stock & with NYD tomorrow, Friday is the earliest we could fill the order".
"Please ring your neighbouring branch in Ticehurst where I'll drive to obtain my supply " said Mr F ... " Ah", said the Pharmacist there " We don't have any in stock either".
Just as well Mr F was on his own as I'd have been struck off by now !
Our Pharmacist suggested he try other Payden Pharmacies in the area ..hmm. So, home came hubby where I investigated via google to find there are 2 listed in TW. I rang one whilst Mr F rang the other. No answer from my call , whilst his resulted in speaking to a a Pharmacist who didn't seem to understand which type of strips he needed. Oh joy !
Currently, he's driving into TW with the remaining strip he has to check in person with said Pharmacist. We live in hope.
Had this happened to non driving Fanny, and with the walk to the local Pharmacy & Surgery 1.5 miles, what would I have done (apart from throwing a Violet Elizabeth Bott type tantrum )?
I find this is the tip of a very big iceberg in this area. And one very important part of the NHS that is clearly failing.
And I refer m'lud to my initial post where I stated that the neighbouring Surgery in Ticehurst is due to close in the NY, with all their patients relocating to ours in Wadhurst.
And guess what's due to be built on that vacant site ?
FFFFFFFEEEEEEEECCCCCKKKKKKKK !!!!!!!
Jean, only just seen this but you can order test strips in Amazon if you’re ever stuck again. I get through a lot of them myself as I do them very regularly. Usually available on a next day delivery. Of course, you can always drop me a line and I can give you some in an emergency.
Ah, thanks for that advice, DM ! We had no idea that the test strips were available to purchase.
But if YOU have an emergency, Mr F has enough for the next 6 months or so now !
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
You've only been there a few years haven't you?
It's only a problem when other people want to move somewhere else.
Pray, do tell what you mean by that remark, Stu.
You appear to be trying to make a point at my expense.
Not really your expense, more society in general, I made the same point on the climate change thread, we all want a better life for ourselves, like having a house, but bemoan others doing the same.
OK, point taken.
But if/when we move, we'll be downsizing from a 3 -4 bed house ( which is now too big for us) to a 1 bedroom flat, with no stairs, less rooms to heat etc and closer to amenities.
As such, we'll be making a house, fit to accommodate a family of 5 or 6, available to purchase whilst we merely need a much smaller property, ideal for the 2 of us.
I'd venture to call this a sensible solution for all concerned.
So, what IS your problem ?
Oh, and if this "plan" comes to fruition, as with the combining of 2 GP Surgeries into 1 /more houses built on the site, that means the Wadhurst Surgery will be even LESS fit for purpose with said additional patients on their books.
But of course it's easy to jump to conclusions when you don't have this problem....
My cryptic question begged the answer " more houses " because that would mean even more patients having to use the already not fit for purpose Surgery miles away in Wadhurst.
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
You've only been there a few years haven't you?
It's only a problem when other people want to move somewhere else.
Pray, do tell what you mean by that remark, Stu.
You appear to be trying to make a point at my expense.
Not really your expense, more society in general, I made the same point on the climate change thread, we all want a better life for ourselves, like having a house, but bemoan others doing the same.
Jean isn’t like that at all. What a weird post.
Unfortunately we all are, to differing degrees.
Speak for yourself and don’t make assumptions about others.
Comments
@ME14addick wouldn't of been happy.
While seeing my doctor he coughed into his hand a couple of times.
At the end of my appointment he proceeded to wish me a happy new year and shake my hand.
I was given a nasal spray and i asked if I needed any tablets, he replied no.
Within 3 minutes of leaving the surgery , the doctor rang me to say as it was new years day tomorrow he'd decided to give me 5 days antibiotics.
The wife was in the waiting room while I was in my appointment.
The wife said one of the doctors asked a Harry to come through, after a couple of minutes and no reply, a woman said do you mean Henry.
Yes said the Doctor.
Our emergency services are incredibly busy and in some parts of the country at breaking point.
A GP system that stops loads of sick people sitting in a waiting room waiting ages for an appointment, is much better than going along in the hope that you can get an appointment.
This is the result of requesting a supply from our Surgery on 19th December but on collection from our Pharmacy on 27th, he found 3 items he had NOT requested in the bag but no test strips, which as of today, he only has 1 remaining. He tests 4 times per day....
Yesterday he revisited the Surgery with his problem & a new prescription was ordered for collection today. The word URGENT was clearly labelling said piece of paper for a GP to sign.
This afternoon, giving "them" ample time to complete the relevant action, he went back to the Pharmacy ...no prescription had arrived for filling.
Back to the Surgery..."Oh dear" said a different Receptionist . " It's hasn't been signed yet !"
NO GP on site ( " All on holiday" stated the Receptionist) so a call was made to a GP "somewhere" who was "working from home "....but emailed consent for said prescription to be filled. Phew.
Back to the Pharmacy ( fortunately in walking distance) " Ah" said the Pharmacist " We don't have any in stock & with NYD tomorrow, Friday is the earliest we could fill the order".
"Please ring your neighbouring branch in Ticehurst where I'll drive to obtain my supply " said Mr F ... " Ah", said the Pharmacist there " We don't have any in stock either".
Just as well Mr F was on his own as I'd have been struck off by now !
Our Pharmacist suggested he try other Payden Pharmacies in the area ..hmm. So, home came hubby where I investigated via google to find there are 2 listed in TW. I rang one whilst Mr F rang the other. No answer from my call , whilst his resulted in speaking to a a Pharmacist who didn't seem to understand which type of strips he needed. Oh joy !
Currently, he's driving into TW with the remaining strip he has to check in person with said Pharmacist. We live in hope.
Had this happened to non driving Fanny, and with the walk to the local Pharmacy & Surgery 1.5 miles, what would I have done (apart from throwing a Violet Elizabeth Bott type tantrum )?
I find this is the tip of a very big iceberg in this area. And one very important part of the NHS that is clearly failing.
And I refer m'lud to my initial post where I stated that the neighbouring Surgery in Ticehurst is due to close in the NY, with all their patients relocating to ours in Wadhurst.
And guess what's due to be built on that vacant site ?
FFFFFFFEEEEEEEECCCCCKKKKKKKK !!!!!!!
From https://shgroup.uk.engagementhq.com/newington-court-ticehurst-redevelopment
"Our new proposal will deliver approximately 30 new, 100 per cent affordable homes, subject to planning permission.
We are in the early stages of design development so the details have yet to be developed. We are listening to local need and will share our plans with the community once we've completed initial conversations with the council.
We intend to exhibit the plans at a local venue in the early part of 2025 and will publicise details here and in the Parish newsletter News and Views."
So, I think ROTW has jumped the gun somewhat, based on FF's cryptic question, choosing to target a group of people who have probably have had the least say in the decline of the NHS than anyone else, but are fair game to his sort, simply on the presumed basis that they are likely to be NHS users like the rest of us.
Hopefully, a solution can be arrived at where GP capacity isn't restricted in the way it currently seems destined to be. Petition here;
https://www.change.org/p/save-ticehurst-surgery
Whether or not they might be refugees has no relevance - just probably at least 60 new patients with no local GP to access.
The sooner we make our proposed downsizing to TW , the better.
Then scooted.off to Kingston Hospital for chest X-ray and blood test, done and dusted in 25 minutes.
So my tip for 2025: don't get ill for another 364 days (or plan any NYE celebrations, obvs)
Even if you as the surgery suspected speculative appointments were being booked how do address the situation? You can't really throw them off the books, imagine if they did have something seriously wrong with them, and these people know they *shouldn't* be doing it, they just place their own needs over anyone else's.
You appear to be trying to make a point at my expense.
But if YOU have an emergency, Mr F has enough for the next 6 months or so now !
But if/when we move, we'll be downsizing from a 3 -4 bed house ( which is now too big for us) to a 1 bedroom flat, with no stairs, less rooms to heat etc and closer to amenities.
As such, we'll be making a house, fit to accommodate a family of 5 or 6, available to purchase whilst we merely need a much smaller property, ideal for the 2 of us.
I'd venture to call this a sensible solution for all concerned.
So, what IS your problem ?
Oh, and if this "plan" comes to fruition, as with the combining of 2 GP Surgeries into 1 /more houses built on the site, that means the Wadhurst Surgery will be even LESS fit for purpose with said additional patients on their books.
But of course it's easy to jump to conclusions when you don't have this problem....