Saul,
I know that you, and the overwhelming majority, amounting probably to
all, of your colleagues have your patients interests at heart; but
there are a lot of people out there, including even some politicians (!)
who would like to make it appear otherwise. Hence my suggestion that
any reply to an MP should include a firm reference to 'patients interests'.
As to what does actually serve patients' interests, I suggest that ready
access to a dispensary would come high on the list; whether this is
achieved by embedding the pharmacy in the surgery premises, or
elsewhere, will depend hugely on local conditions. Frankly I don't
give a damn about 'choice and competition' which the Government seems
to bang on about. I am quite happy to be offered a choice of one (ie no
choice) for access to a Pharmacy (or a GP) provided that the service
offered is of a decent standard (which in my experience it invariably
is). So I think it is a shame that one of the first things mentioned is
the need to tackle 'poor performance'. I am also underwhelmed by all
the stuff about pharmacies being open all hours; most prescriptions are
for older, retired, folk (like me) who, if they can get to a pharmacy,
are happy to do so on what used to be called office hours. I don't
really see a need for 24/7 access. The people who seem to be pressing
for this can manage to get their hair cut during office hours, so
presumably they can get to the pharmacy then as well.
Mike Wells
Saul Galloway wrote:
> As a doctor (you started it) I know it's about the patients/public.
>
> As a patient you are perfectly positioned to give me the benefit of your
> opinion as to what does serve the best interests of patients, and as a
> doctor working on behalf of patients I'm all ears ;-)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of m.wells
> Sent: 31 October 2008 16:29
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Pharmacy white paper
>
> As a patient, I think it might be wise to include in your reply to your
> MP, some comments as to what might best serve the interests of patients.
>
> Mike Wells
>
>
> Saul Galloway wrote:
>
>> I'm trying to formulate a reply to my local MP who has sent round to
>> all the GPs asking for comments on the pharmacy white paper.
>>
>> http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/consultations/liveconsultations/dh_087324
>>
>> We are not a dispensing practice so I have not really followed the cut
>> and thrust of the debate in any great detail, but my impression is of
>> two sides battling it out to jealously guard the parts of the existing
>> rules that commercially advantage their side. In principle I would
>> like to vote for (or suggest he votes for) the option which gives the
>> most level playing field, where the local pharmacy group can't simply
>> veto new competition from GPs or other pharmacies, but where
>> dispensing practices cant unfairly knock out existing pharmacies (or
>> render it impossible to open one up) by controlling the flow of
>> prescriptions.
>>
>> Any insight into the issues from the list?
>>
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>
>
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> Please inform the sender that this message has gone astray before
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> 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the NHS. It's an opportunity to pay
> tribute to the NHS staff and volunteers who help shape the service, and
> celebrate their achievements.
>
> If you work for the NHS and would like an NHSmail email account, go
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