Topic ID 4812
After my appointment with my GP was cancelled on Thursday afternoon(due to swine flu patients going to the surgery, and the surgery not wanting any other patients around when they were there), they suggested I go to the urgent care centre at Hertford hospital. I was really impressed with it. It is fairly small, but I was seen by a doctor quickly (within 20 minutes), who was knowledgeable and helpful. I was given the medication I needed, which was really useful, and I have to say the care I received was very good - definitely something for the NHS as a whole to aspire to. Speaking to the staff there, they seemed really pleased with the reception by patients so far, but a little concerned of how busy it's going to get when more people hear about it. But for now, it's a great service.
Reply ID 68783
Does the doctors surgery do the same for Flu? seeing as the flu is actually worse.
Reply ID 68786
quote:No idea. It did feel like a rather futile attempt to contain it, as most people are around strangers with various communicable diseases in their everyday life. Was very annoyed when the appointment was cancelled actually, as I have a chronic illness myself and needed to be seen urgently. Anyway, all turned out OK.
Originally posted by Bubbaoshea
Does the doctors surgery do the same for Flu? seeing as the flu is actually worse.
Reply ID 79776
It looks like the centre is under threat of closure. I recall a while back they were saying it was under used, probably because too few people new it was there. Now it seems people are using it for the wrong reasons and at one point last year it was treating more people than it was designed to deal with. A report on its closure is due on the 23rd March. It will be a pity if it goes. I know several people who were grateful it was there.
Reply ID 79783
It's simply brilliant, to shut it would be madness.
Reply ID 79788
People are using it as an alternative to going to their GP, which is simply not what it was designed for. That is why its being closed.
Reply ID 79796
I think the trouble stems from it not being properly publisised when it opened so people knew it was there and what it was for. I have used it on 2 occasions from my mother and they have been great on both occasions. One out of hours they refered us to QE2 as they were unsure if she needed more than they could give.. the other we were sent by the GP and they x-rayed and bandaged her finger up and then the GP took over as it was healing
Reply ID 79797
quote:Which suggests there's an issue with the service offered by GPs. Maybe this is what should be addressed rather than closing down a facility that is clearly popular. I find it deepy ironic that at first the local NHS blamed people for not using it, and now they blame people for using it too much! Or for "misusing" it. Maybe there's a failure on the part of the NHS to properly characterise what the service offers and who it's aimed at. Rather than closing it down they should identify the needs of the community and then provide a service that fulfils that need.
Originally posted by Turnip77
People are using it as an alternative to going to their GP, which is simply not what it was designed for. That is why its being closed.
Reply ID 79800
Steve, those were my thoughts exactly. It almost seems that the patients (or should that be customers?) are almost in a no win situation.
Reply ID 79803
There is definately much confusion over when it should be used. I went there once having been sent by my surgery and was turned away being told you should go to your GP surgery. I pointed out that my surgery had told me to come there but they were not interested and wouldn't see my son. I rang my surgery again from there and remarkably they then were able see me back at the GP's. Much ferrying about though with one sick small child and one other smaller one who obviously couldn't wait at home alone! They definately need to be clearer on when it should be used and tell the surgery's too.
Reply ID 79804
quote:In my opinion Steve has hit the nail firmly on the head. Wallace House Doctors surgery I waited three weeks for the initial appointment. I was sent for an X-Ray and blood tests. Waited a further week for results. Results come back and I was informed that the doctor needs to see me regarding the results. The next available appointment is a further two weeks wait. When a request was made for a doctor to telephone to discuss the results I was told this could be arranged but I would have to wait a week for the telephone call. To put this in perspective my sister's cat required its annual jabs. She called the vet on Thursday afternoon and the appointment was made for the next day. Could it be that GP's are simply taking on more patients that they can cope with?
Which suggests there's an issue with the service offered by GPs. Maybe this is what should be addressed rather than closing down a facility that is clearly popular.
Reply ID 79808
Steve is spot on exactly my thoughts. Could you get that published in the Mercury. It struck me as irocic first they were shutting it because it wasn't used, now because it is used too much and wrongly. If even the GP surgeries don't know what it is there for how are the patients supposed to.
Reply ID 79812
If our GP's are confused over the function of the Urgent Care Centre, what else can we expect when GP Commissioning is implemented and GP's assume control for our health care service budget from the PCT?
Reply ID 80250
It's been axed [url]http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/Hertfordshire/Urgent-care-centres-axed.htm[/url]
Reply ID 80251
More work for an already overworked QEII. In addition, the problems of people find transport to get there. A very disappointing decision.[V]
Reply ID 80253
quote:"Since the centres were opened in late 2009, hundreds have turned up when they should have visited their GP or with more serious conditions that needed treatment at A&E". So it's our fault. Some smug exec is sitting and smarting over how they've managed to effect a saving while blaming it on the very people who need the service. There's one word for this and it rhymes with 'pollocks'. Basically there is a need to cut costs from community care and this is an easy target. I wish people would just be honest.
Originally posted by ~Sarah~
It's been axed [url]http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/Hertfordshire/Urgent-care-centres-axed.htm[/url]
Reply ID 80255
A sad day for common sense - total madness.
Reply ID 80259
Can hope that the councillors concerned regret that decision come polling day.
Reply ID 80260
Presumably this closure is "only" the Urgent Care facility i.e. pathology (blood/urine tests), X-rays, and all the other day-care clinics will continue?
Reply ID 80261
Did the councillors have a say in this then?
Reply ID 80262
quote:The evaluation panel that recommended closure included Cllr Dorothy Hone (Con, Castle) and Hertford Town Council Leader Cllr.Linda Radford (Con, Bengeo).
Originally posted by newgirl
Did the councillors have a say in this then?
Reply ID 80265
Its a great shame that it was never properly advertised when it first opened so that everyone knew it was there and what it was for. Also hope it will come back in some other form as I can't see QE2 and Lister being very happy about getting everyone the GP's can't cope with or come to that the patients having to wait hours for something the UCC coped with much quicker.
Reply ID 80266
My 7 year-old son had a very bad asthma attack this week - he was booked-in, triaged and treatment commenced within 10 minutes. I wouldn't have even got to the QEII in that time. The doctor and medical staff were wonderful. This is a BAD choice for the axe to fall, a totally retrograde step and people will suffer directly as a result for this closure.[V]
Reply ID 80269
quote:Nice to see the local elected representatives making decisions based on the wishes of their electorate. Isn't democracy great [:(]
Originally posted by Stevequote:The evaluation panel that recommended closure included Cllr Dorothy Hone (Con, Castle) and Hertford Town Council Leader Cllr.Linda Radford (Con, Bengeo).
Originally posted by newgirl
Did the councillors have a say in this then?
Reply ID 80270
Here's the evaluation document that was considered at a meeting yesterday held in public - so anyone could have attended. (Sorry I don't know how to post tidy links): http://www.hertfordshire.nhs.uk/images/stories/boardpapers/NHS_Hertfordshire/20110323/14_UCC_pilots_evaluation_-_Appx_2_-_WEB_ONLY.pdf A couple of quotes "Due to the unavailability of any data, it is impossible to ascertain if the Urgent Care Centres (UCCs) have any impact on the number of presentations at local GPs" "UCCs are an expensive way of addressing perceived shortcomings in GP and out-of-hours services – since they tend to duplicate rather than replace those services."
Reply ID 80278
quote:I thought that it had been advertised quite well,they delivered leaflets at the time of it opening,(I still have mine) inside there is a list of reasons to visit ,with a map and opening times etc.
Originally posted by Marilyn
Its a great shame that it was never properly advertised when it first opened so that everyone knew it was there and what it was for. Also hope it will come back in some other form as I can't see QE2 and Lister being very happy about getting everyone the GP's can't cope with or come to that the patients having to wait hours for something the UCC coped with much quicker.
Reply ID 80291
We reap what we sow and if the policy of the government we elect is to make cuts whatever the consequences, then that is what they will do. The local councillors were hardly likely to disagree with the party line were they.
Reply ID 80292
quote:Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery. We are all now experiencing the misery that comes as a consequence of the previous administration not taking heed of the above.
Originally posted by 2929paul
We reap what we sow and if the policy of the government we elect is to make cuts whatever the consequences, then that is what they will do. The local councillors were hardly likely to disagree with the party line were they.
Reply ID 80295
quote:HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!![:D]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Readingquote:Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery. We are all now experiencing the misery that comes as a consequence of the previous administration not taking heed of the above.
Originally posted by 2929paul
We reap what we sow and if the policy of the government we elect is to make cuts whatever the consequences, then that is what they will do. The local councillors were hardly likely to disagree with the party line were they.
Reply ID 80296
quote:Unnecessary.
Originally posted by dennismoorequote:HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!![:D]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Readingquote:Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery. We are all now experiencing the misery that comes as a consequence of the previous administration not taking heed of the above.
Originally posted by 2929paul
We reap what we sow and if the policy of the government we elect is to make cuts whatever the consequences, then that is what they will do. The local councillors were hardly likely to disagree with the party line were they.
Reply ID 80298
quote:Cutting public services such as this has always been at the heart of conservative party philosophy, that's the reason many of them go into politics in the first place. To blame the last administration is laughable.
Originally posted by James007quote:Unnecessary.
Originally posted by dennismoorequote:HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!![:D]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Readingquote:Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery. We are all now experiencing the misery that comes as a consequence of the previous administration not taking heed of the above.
Originally posted by 2929paul
We reap what we sow and if the policy of the government we elect is to make cuts whatever the consequences, then that is what they will do. The local councillors were hardly likely to disagree with the party line were they.
Reply ID 80299
quote:agreed the torys historically like to reduce the size of the state (which is not in itself altogether a bad thing) but you do realise that "the money" has run out, dont you? If you do realise that, are you aware of the circumstances and the backdrop as to why it ran out? perhaps I, and the rest of the country have missed something.
Originally posted by dennismoorequote:Cutting public services such as this has always been at the heart of conservative party philosophy, that's the reason many of them go into politics in the first place. To blame the last administration is laughable.
Originally posted by James007quote:Unnecessary.
Originally posted by dennismoorequote:HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!![:D]
Originally posted by exiled_in_Readingquote:Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery. We are all now experiencing the misery that comes as a consequence of the previous administration not taking heed of the above.
Originally posted by 2929paul
We reap what we sow and if the policy of the government we elect is to make cuts whatever the consequences, then that is what they will do. The local councillors were hardly likely to disagree with the party line were they.
Reply ID 80300
What miniscule percentage of the billions we've given to the banks, or the billions we lose when our multinationals avoid paying tax do you think would have paid for this and similar services?
Reply ID 80302
quote:How much of the £50Bn interest we're paying on debt this year alone (rising to over £70Bn even under this government and their cuts) would do the same? The billions given to the banks are irrelevent (in the long term) in this calculation as we'll get this money back with profit. The systematic yearly overspend for the last decade is more of a problem (not to mention all the hidden debt in PFIs, Network Rail etc.)
Originally posted by dennismoore
What miniscule percentage of the billions we've given to the banks, or the billions we lose when our multinationals avoid paying tax do you think would have paid for this and similar services?
Reply ID 80303
Return to topic please [:)]
Reply ID 80304
quote:I am staggered that you think that this is off topic.
Originally posted by Admin
Return to topic please [:)]