Are GPs better value than hamsters?

Search

New member
Joined
Nov 10, 2010
Messages
78,682
Tokens


_70266163_hamster.jpg
More expensive than primary care
 

New member
Joined
Nov 10, 2010
Messages
78,682
Tokens
A popular anecdote among doctors is that it costs more to insure a hamster than it does to pay for a year of GP care.
They have a point. GP surgeries get just over £150 per patient per year.
With the average patient seeing their doctor five times a year that works out at £30 a visit.
It is why many other nations look at the NHS's system of general practice with envy.
But the question being asked now is whether GPs are being squeezed too much.
That may seem strange to ask of a profession where most GPs who are partners in a practice earn in excess of £100,000 a year.
But news that investment in general practice has fallen by £400m in real terms over the past three years warrants further investigation.
It is worth noting that the figures - highlighted by the Royal College of GPs but based on official data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre - have not been disputed by the government.
That in itself is unusual in a system as complex as the NHS where statistics can be cherry picked to prove almost any point.
But what does this mean in practice?
 

New member
Joined
Nov 10, 2010
Messages
78,682
Tokens
Less time with patientsTalking to GPs at the RCGP's annual conference it is clear the concerns are real.

Many cited the increased demands being placed on them - the number of GP consultations has risen by a third since the mid 1990s and now top 300m a year.
Vikram Tanna, a GP from Manchester, admits his work/life balance has improved since the changes 10 years ago, which allowed GPs to stop doing weekends and nights.
But he says his major concern is that he does not have enough time with patients.
"Consultations are meant to last 10 minutes, but patients increasingly have complex conditions, they expect more and there is more we can do. There is just not enough time."
Stuart Sutton, who has just become a partner in a practice in east London, agrees.
"I have just taken over from someone who has worked here for 25 years.

"My concern is that I won't get to know the patients like he did. That is important. Knowing the local community, knowing their history. Without that you can't give the kind of care you want to."
But it is not just doctors who are feeling the pinch. Shelley Verity works as a practice nurse in Bradford.
She says this year her workload has increased because of the introduction of the shingles vaccine for the elderly and the expansion of the winter flu jabs to children.
"This is happening at a time when money is being taken away from us," she adds.
But isn't this just a reflection of what is happening across society?
After all, most households would argue they are having to make the family budget stretch further, while town halls are still trying to work out how cuts in funding of over a quarter can be managed.
GPs believe that misses the point - as Dr Tanna points out.
"The government likes to say it has protected the health service. It hasn't - that is what we are saying."
 

Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2008
Messages
10,180
Tokens
Less time with patientsTalking to GPs at the RCGP's annual conference it is clear the concerns are real.

Many cited the increased demands being placed on them - the number of GP consultations has risen by a third since the mid 1990s and now top 300m a year.
Vikram Tanna, a GP from Manchester, admits his work/life balance has improved since the changes 10 years ago, which allowed GPs to stop doing weekends and nights.
But he says his major concern is that he does not have enough time with patients.
"Consultations are meant to last 10 minutes, but patients increasingly have complex conditions, they expect more and there is more we can do. There is just not enough time."
Stuart Sutton, who has just become a partner in a practice in east London, agrees.
"I have just taken over from someone who has worked here for 25 years.

"My concern is that I won't get to know the patients like he did. That is important. Knowing the local community, knowing their history. Without that you can't give the kind of care you want to."
But it is not just doctors who are feeling the pinch. Shelley Verity works as a practice nurse in Bradford.
She says this year her workload has increased because of the introduction of the shingles vaccine for the elderly and the expansion of the winter flu jabs to children.
"This is happening at a time when money is being taken away from us," she adds.
But isn't this just a reflection of what is happening across society?
After all, most households would argue they are having to make the family budget stretch further, while town halls are still trying to work out how cuts in funding of over a quarter can be managed.
GPs believe that misses the point - as Dr Tanna points out.
"The government likes to say it has protected the health service. It hasn't - that is what we are saying."


Fuxkin nonsense .

50% of this globe has either no electricity or running water. These MD's are in the top 2 % worldwide income wise ( an educated guess ) ? They chose medicine to make 'money'? 10 min consults ? My barber spends more than 10 mins with me chatting and yet doesn't whine.



to those MD's ? Fuxk off. LEAVE. Find a society where ur 'time' is more valued .......hmm, they haven't moved ? sent a note to Cameron, he'll 'get to it ' :)
 

Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2008
Messages
10,180
Tokens
God Bless The Commonwealth, beets!!
 

Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2006
Messages
26,039
Tokens
Fuxkin nonsense .

50% of this globe has either no electricity or running water. These MD's are in the top 2 % worldwide income wise ( an educated guess ) ? They chose medicine to make 'money'? 10 min consults ? My barber spends more than 10 mins with me chatting and yet doesn't whine.



to those MD's ? Fuxk off. LEAVE. Find a society where ur 'time' is more valued .......hmm, they haven't moved ? sent a note to Cameron, he'll 'get to it ' :)

So, under past health care laws you can actually choose your MD. If you like them, "you can keep your doctor".

Under current health care laws, we are seeing that this is going to become less and less true.
 

Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2008
Messages
10,180
Tokens
So, under past health care laws you can actually choose your MD. If you like them, "you can keep your doctor".

Under current health care laws, we are seeing that this is going to become less and less true.

Gas, I have not followed these healthcare changes south of the border. Sure hope it works for u guys . I don't understand why u can't chose ur Family M.D. Is it because the doc has the right to decline accepting the individual's plan?

As long as ur system doesn't go full blown UK/Canada system you'll be good . :)
 

Forum statistics

Threads
1,119,828
Messages
13,573,697
Members
100,877
Latest member
kiemt5385
The RX is the sports betting industry's leading information portal for bonuses, picks, and sportsbook reviews. Find the best deals offered by a sportsbook in your state and browse our free picks section.FacebookTwitterInstagramContact Usforum@therx.com