Jersey might be an unusual example Danny. They don't have ready back-up from
their neighbours for a start! So I suspect they've got to keep bed occupancy
well below 90% or they'd be flying planes to Southampton on a regular basis
with standard cases. I recall the consultant there had a major interest in
sports medicine, so he clearly wasn't too stressed by long ED waits, and he
only got a partner a couple of years ago, I think. Also, I bet they've got
great GP coverage on the island! And finally, they deliberately skew their
ED staffing to cope with the summer influx, a luxury not many of us are able
to afford. Comparing St Helier to Stafford is like chalk and cheese! And how
come you got to desert your department anyway in the second week of the new
SHOs?!
Regards
Adrian Fogarty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Danny McGeehan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 11:23 PM
Subject: Re: Restricting access to A/E departments.[Scanned]
Sorry I've been very quiet this last week. Have been for a nice holiday in
Jersey and had a chance to have a little nose around the A&E dept. I always
have a little shufty wherever I go on my hols (The faculty give you a couple
of CME points for it and I always mix pleasure and education. I noticed a
sign stating that there had been an attack of D & V due to the "Norfolk
Virus" and advocating that everyone goes to see their GP. Talking to a GP
colleague and as opposed to this country the States apparently love patients
rolling up to primary care as they have to pay £20 a visit, seems to sort
the dross out.
As I get older may Socialist principles are being driven out, must be due to
hypocracy of New Labour. Must say I like my stay on the Island and the
locals certainly spoke very highly of A & E, as the waiting times are
virtually zilch. They seem to have got it right perhaps we should be
looking at their model of care as opposed to this drivel that the
Modernisation Agency are ramming down our throats at great expense to the
tax payer.
Danny McGeehan
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