Point taken. I'm sure most of us would have acted in similar fashion.
Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr Mark O'Connor [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 6:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Private GP - his duties and responsibilities

I said no for a number of reasons

Firstly he was extremely rude to the reception staff and insisted on
being
seen immedidately ( busy same day surgery )for a non clinical reason and
then acted in a way that upset patients in the waiting room

Secondly he had already seen the proper professional for his problem who
had
made a diagnosis and given treatment ( The costs of the drugs - 1 week
of
amoxyl -  would be probably 2% of the total bill he would have to pay -
there was no clinical need to see me - ie using a streched resource
others
were waiting to use for the simple reason of keeping his costs down

Thirdly what if the dentist is wrong? I have taken on an unnecessary
risk by
signing the prescription.

He was a bully that needed to be taught a lesson. He got one and I doubt
he
will act like that again



-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tim Nunn - Ubombo
Sent: 15 June 2004 13:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Private GP - his duties and responsibilities

It's interesting watching the emerging relationship between private and
public health in the UK from afar (Swaziland to be precise) We have had
the
benefit of dealing with this cross-over for many years in Southern
Africa.
It has plenty of problems but most can be amicably sorted!
Just out of interest why did you say no to giving him a script? (before
he
tore up the dentists!)He obviously needed the antibiotic clinically.
IMHO flexibility (both sides of the fence) is required in this delicate
balance (private v public providers) Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr Mark O'Connor [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 11:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Private GP - his duties and responsibilities

The private GP is at liberty to refer to an NHS hospital for
investigations
and second opinion as it's the patients relationship to the state which
determines eligibility not the patients contractural relationship with
the
doctor.

Last week had an elderly chap with a private prescription for
amoxycillin in
hand from private dentist and a face like a football. He wanted a
conversion
- I said no, but at least he had seen the apporpirate professional who
had
taken on responsibility for his abscess(and who hadn't suggested he
comes to
me for NHS script - I checked) - He then slowly and deliberately tore up
the
Private prescription and said "You'll have to give me one now" - I
replied
"you have just done a very silly thing and will have to go back to your
private dentist and get another one. In addition if I do not have a
written
letter of apology to me and my staff for your rude and abusive behaviour
today you will be removed from the list within the next 7 days" -
stormed
out - Letter arrived 3 days later - reception staff delighted

-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Hendry
Sent: 15 June 2004 06:36
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Private GP - his duties and responsibilities

Private general practice is a new phenomenon in this (rural) area, but
no
doubt some of you city types have had to deal with the following
situations:

1. Patient who has just seen private GP turns up at our surgery with a
prescription from him, which he wants converted (instantly!) into an NHS
one. The said private GP denies having suggested this.

2. Patient sees private GP, who writes to us asking us to organise stool
culture, blood tests etc. He obviously can't deny this one!

We are used to having patients come back to us in this way from private
consultations with consultants - to whom we have referred the patient -
but
the private GP doesn't have the benefit of a referral letter with (in
one of
the above cases) over 30 years personal knowledge of the patient.

Our feeling as a practice is that patients who choose to see this doctor
should expect to pay for the prescriptions he issues, and that he should
arrange such investigations as he thinks fit on a private basis too.

At the very least, we should insist that the patients see one of us
before
we issue any prescription or make arrangements for investigation.

What does the team think?

--
Michael