BTW
I've lived in Sweeden, the Netherlands and Belgium. No probs there to see a doctor in less than a week. Even without prove of residence. All I need is my E-111 and they're happy, wherever I am.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:15, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

I keep telling you
you can see a doctor without proof of residence. You're just going about it the wrong way and trying to register as a permanent patient, which for obvious reasons you can't do without proof of address. It's not the fault of the NHS, just that you aren't used to how to use it.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:19, Reply)

But why?
No, if I'm living 6 months in a hotel in Sweeden, I can see the same doctor everytime I need. If I need a treatment, that's good.

In Worthing, the most I got as a temporary patient was one visit. They won't follow my treatment because I'm not registered and I'm moving home soon.

That means a month without treatment. Not good, not.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:28, Reply)

And, as I've said already
I registered with them as soon as I came back from hols and got my first appointment for tomorrow. Very fast, isn't it?
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:29, Reply)

If you want an appointment on the day
you phone them when they open and say you specifically need an emergency appointment. You get one that day.

It might sound like I'm having a go and I'm really not, I'm just pointing out that the faults here aren't with the NHS, just that you're not used to how to use it to get what you want
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:35, Reply)

I've been living here 6 years
and gone to the doctor many times. You only get a day appointment if it's an emergency. And you have to take the day out of work. I'm talking about being able to go to the doctor near the place you work if you want. Being able to choose your doctor.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:37, Reply)

well, yeah.
if it isn't an emergency, why does it matter if it takes a week to see them? that's rather the definition of "emergency"

being able to choose your doctor is a matter for debate. I can see why there are advantages, but they are selfish from the point of view of the patient. The system doesn't allow it, and that's how it is. Why do you need a doctor near work anyway? surely if you are so ill that you need to see a doctor right away you'd be off work?
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:46, Reply)

No, you're wrong again
You might be having a problem that still allows you to go to work. Upset stomach maybe. Maybe a cold that feels like a flu. Maybe a lot of pain in your ovaries, as I have now. I can go to work. It's not an emergency because I'm not bleeding. Therefore, that means 4 weeks of paracetamol until I see a doctor. OK, normally it would have been only 1 week, maybe 2, still it's a lot of time to be like this, not only for the pain, but for the stress that comes with not knowing what you have (I already went to A&E, they touched me here and there and told me to go to my GP)

If I could go to the doctor near work, I could work tomorrow and just take some hours for the appointment. As I have to go in Worthing, I need to take the whole day off.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:53, Reply)

You're bringing the problem on yourself
because you are the one refusing to take time off work. Seriously, it's you're own fault and yet you're blaming a system which could help you, but you've got to give a little too.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:57, Reply)

What?
I'm taking the time off work. Of course I am. After 4 weeks trying to see someone!! I haven't spent this 4 weeks not wanting to go, they couldn't visit me before. In fact, they gave me an appointment for next Tuesday and I asked it to be changed to Friday, so that I only lose 1 day, rather than 2.

What I don't think it's ok is that you have to take the day off for what probably is only a cystitis. And that you can't choose where you want to be treated.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 17:00, Reply)

No, no, no
You said you had to wait 4 weeks to see a doctor at a set time. Badger has pointed out that if you need an appointment that day that you can get one but you said that you would have to take the day off. Which is not unreasonable.
(Bazongaloid, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 17:02, Reply)

No
I said I had to wait 4 weeks this time, as I said several times that I tried to get the appointment after the hols but had to go through the whole registering thing and stuff. Normally it'd take 1 week, 2 at most. I know that.

It's that stupid registering process that I don't understand. And why I can't see the doctor where I want.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 17:11, Reply)

And again
I can't follow a treatment on a temporary registration.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:37, Reply)

I don't understand what you mean by
"follow a treatment" ? If you've got a longstanding condition with a prescription then all you need is a repeat, surely?
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:43, Reply)

No
It needs to be tested to make sure the medicines are still right, as it changes quite quickly.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:45, Reply)

since I don't know what's being treated
I can't comment, but maybe you have found a loophole in the system then - if you move around a lot but have a longstanding medical issue than the NHS lets you down.

It's still basically brilliant, though. whatever you think.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:51, Reply)

I think it's not bad
But it could be improved. A lot.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 16:54, Reply)