? Is there anything
that can be done to change the emphasis from numbers to need? Can the
public be better informed? Can the quality of political debate be improved?
Are there any GPs out there who feel the governments priority is
appropriate?
Join a PCG. <vbg>
Dr G Mark Trowell
Highbridge Medical Centre
Pepperall Road
Highbridge
Somerset
TA9 3YA
Highbridge - "A cemetery with lights"
(01278) 783220
(01278) 795486 (Fax)
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Martin Bradley
Sent: 15 April 1998 21:08
To: GP-UK
Subject: Health Priorities
I have a patient with very severe angina - to the extent that he is
housebound. He has dipped into his meagre life savings to have a private
angiogram, the NHS wait being 8 months. It appears that he may have some
additional pulmonary problems and needs extensive further investigation.
These will have to be done on the NHS and if all is well he may be suitable
for angioplasty. There is likely to be an overall wait of over a year
before he gets any active treatment. His need is desperate and I am not
sure he will survive the wait.
Our health authority is currently seeking GPs views regarding the
government's waiting list initiative. The government seeks to reduce the
length of wait and the total numbers waiting. What this means in practice
is that lots of quick, easy, low priority procedures will be performed.
Lots of new money is to be spent on the treatment of varicose veins and
herniae. The patient mentioned above will not benefit at all.
I am angry and depressed about this situation. Our health authority is
excellent but has its hands tied behind its back by its political masters.
Do we all feel the governments focus is inappropriate? Is there anything
that can be done to change the emphasis from numbers to need? Can the
public be better informed? Can the quality of political debate be improved?
Are there any GPs out there who feel the governments priority is
appropriate?
Martin Bradley
[log in to unmask]
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