Who will "give permission" for Relenza to be prescribed?
The DOH will when the prevalence reaches an as yet undisclosed level (? is
officially an epidemic) and then only to those at risk. They will have to
present within 2 days of the onset of symptoms and by taking this drug
shorten its duration by 1day although the evidence only just reaches
significance. Is it going to be worth it?
Can someone (from GP land?) tell me how to diagnose flu
Abrupt onset of fever, malaise, myalgia, and headache often leading to
prostration. Some times associated with a dry cough. However definitive
diagnosis is by a nasal swab sent to virology. Patients are often surprised
that their runny nose, sore throats and ear ache are nothing more than a
cold and if they get a bout of influenza cannot believe that they could
possibly feel so unwell with "just flu".
Round here, the co-op arranges 11 weekends off out of 12. I
work 1 in 3 weekends and 2 in 3 bank holidays......
Main cause for increased demand is undoubtedly unreasonable
patient expectations, fuelled by various governments and inadequate health
education. But what sort of service was being offered by local GPs in the 10
days around Xmas/NY? Round here, most practices were offering only emergency
appointments even on "normal" working days from approx 22nd dec to 5th Jan.
There were 2 consequtive 4-day weekends when only the co-op service was
running.
It is common for GP's to offer "only emergency appointments" between Xmas
and the New Year. This is to ensure that that appointments are available for
the inevitable onslaught of people who need to be seen on the day. On those
"normal" days we work "normally." How many A&E departments offer full
senior cover in the holidays? We're not that different, are we?
There is neither the financial resource nor the political will to provide
for a 24hour a day "in hours" doctor-led primary care service. As demand for
access has increased in primary care, the burden of OOH provision was
becoming intolerable especially for small practices. The fact is that
General Practice has had to adapt to meet patient demand and has developed
co-operative services to improve OOH provision ourselves, the majority of
the costs associated with running these being borne out of our own pockets.
If the GP grass is greener, and A&E is such a encumbrance, why do you stay?
Regards
Lou
Dr Arturo "Lou" Lupoli
GP Solihull W.Mids
Immediate Care Practitioner, SoliCARE
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