On Thu 24 Dec, Dr. Paul Steventon wrote:
> > Is it just me or do pts get even more tedious at this time of
> > year?
>
> No. Its not your imagination. I've certainly had the same
> experience. Human greed and selfishness seem to go up a notch about
> this time of year.
I totted it up. In the fortnight before / between Xmas / New Year we
lost over half our routine appointment slots: bank hols, partners
away etc.
At the same time there's been a nasty virus thingy around: not quite
'flu but makes you feel pretty awful. Enough to hit the vulnerable
and old and fill the hospital wards.
Add a bit of seasonal angst and . . .
Our emergency surgeries were bursting all last week. Visits up 200%.
Patients calling me direct at times as CoOp presumably swamped.
Its a demand and supply problem. We reduce the latter and fail to
(or can't) address the former. We'll need to be a bit smarter next
year to cope with the "Millenium holidays". Given that the co-payment
argument is a non-starter, might a high profile public education
programme be helpful? Or will we simply have to open over the hols?
Trims.
--
Dr Ian Trimble http://www.sherwood.demon.co.uk/
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