Stephen said:
>I run an extended hour (16 hours/day) GP clinic in tropical oz. It is
>largely funded by the local version of "NHS".
>
<snip>
>I can see many problems with this style of practice, but it can be
>economically viable. I can't quite see why the after hours co-op in UK
>cannot be extended into a similar idea. What is the rationale behind
>everybody scurrying off to their own surgeries during the day? (Or is that
a
>silly question?)
I think if patients paid for this directly at reasonable rates then it
probably would evolve into an OOH Surgery set-up. At the moment it is free
at point of service and patients abuse it and doctors look upon it as a
necessary evil for OOH cover.
>One of the advantages of the larger centre is the improved
>standard of building, equipment, management etc than can be afforded as the
>costs are spread over so many more consultations.
A local LMC doctor of many years of experience felt that in the not too
distant future we as NHS docs in PCGs would be practising in large
Polyclinics with all the "advantages" you mention. I would think that the
Soviet system would be more what they had in mind rather than your more
capitalist approach.
Paul Attwood
GP Ramsgate
(Actively planning his future which does not include GP)
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