In article <000201bdf512$5ea91e40$42e8b094@server>, Dr Mark Trowell
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>Dr will ring back within 30 mins.

What sort of nos are we talking?

Do you actually manage the within 30mins bit?

We tried this - approx 20 - 28 "calls" in a morning - I managed some
within 30 mins but more had to wait longer.  Then the tireder I got the
more likely it was I decided they did need seeing and so 2 consultations
resulted - telephone and in person later.
It had worked better when I did it a couple of times during the summer
when I was the only doctor for the day - it was a protective measure to
prevent duty doc getting overloaded.
Maybe it is just that if you have enough slots for the next day which
are free each morning then there will be fewer requesting same-day
appointments?

The other snag we hit was if you do think they need seeing and put them
down for an appointment then in general it was a question of fitting it
in with yourself - few of us felt free enough to put it in as an extra
for a partner - not liking to *dump* extra work on the others.

Patients also quickly get to know which days you are duty doc and tend
to *abuse* the system.
I do realise though that if the system worked better then there is no
need to abuse it.

Deep down I still think this system can work, and am perhaps a little
envious you have succeeded.
-- 
Katie 


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%