KUATB Chumps

[vetran]

The welsh seem to be getting on with it

https://www.wales.nhs.uk/news/50454

“The Common Ailments Scheme is a very good one that takes some of the pressure off GPs and it will be even better when more people realise that it is available.

“The cost of medicines has also been a huge factor. People can get free prescriptions when they go to see a doctor, but have had to pay quite a lot for over-the-counter medicines at the pharmacy. Now, through this new scheme, they can get medicines free of charge from their pharmacy and I think that will make a big difference. “

The Common Ailments Scheme is available in all local 125 community pharmacies in the ABMU area – Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend. You have to register with the pharmacy to use the scheme, but the process only takes a few minutes. Consultations are carried out in a private room and if the pharmacist decides you still need to see a doctor, they will refer you.

The 26 ailments covered by the Common Ailments Scheme are: acne, athlete’s foot, back pain, chickenpox, cold sores, colic, conjunctivitis, constipation, diarrhoea, dry eyes, dermatitis, haemorrhoids, hay fever, head lice, indigestion, ingrowing toenails, ringworm, mouth ulcers, nappy rash, oral thrush, scabies, sore throat/tonsillitis, teething, threadworms, vaginal thrush, and verrucae.

[xoggoth]

Sounds like a very sensible system. I've also always thought that maybe we should not train doctors on every issue, rather have shorter courses for specialists on specific health problems.

PS I'll pop in and see the local pharmacist on Monday about my nappy rash.

[vetran]

Sounds like a very sensible system. I've also always thought that maybe we should not train doctors on every issue, rather have shorter courses for specialists on specific health problems.

PS I'll pop in and see the local pharmacist on Monday about my nappy rash.

You need to charge NLyUK extra for that!

[d000hg]

Actually I and others have had Telephone consultations and they have been extremely effective.

Do you think you are an average patient? You very much aren't. Neither am I, or pretty much anyone on CUK. My original point was, for many seeing a doctor in person is a hugely important thing. You saying "it's not a big deal for me" doesn't alter that.

It's fine to offer phone or video consultations and I'm sure many would prefer that. Very convenient. But this is very different from mandating it. And the evidence I've seen is that doctors aren't then calling people in if there's any doubt, they just give them their best guess over the phone and dish out some pills, when 5s in person would've made it very clear.

Choice is good. But it should be a choice.

[Paralytic]

Choice is good. But it should be a choice.

Are you proposing that should always be the patient's choice?

[vetran]

Do you think you are an average patient? You very much aren't. Neither am I, or pretty much anyone on CUK. My original point was, for many seeing a doctor in person is a hugely important thing. You saying "it's not a big deal for me" doesn't alter that.

It's fine to offer phone or video consultations and I'm sure many would prefer that. Very convenient. But this is very different from mandating it. And the evidence I've seen is that doctors aren't then calling people in if there's any doubt, they just give them their best guess over the phone and dish out some pills, when 5s in person would've made it very clear.

Choice is good. But it should be a choice.

Perversely supporting the wail's mandate for all face to face consultations seems at odds with your stance on remote appointments.

What we need to be as suggested extensively above is pragmatic and identify which appointments are better remote or face to face for each type of customer. At the same time we probably need to decide which resources to use. Many reports suggest doctors like most other public facing businesses have frequent flyers and could streamline or delegate the ones that don't need medical attention.

A well person clinic staffed with competent resources that can do triage and or have a single doctor as well like a walk in clinic will have a greater throughput for most common ailments.