In message <[log in to unmask]>, Matthew Groom
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>>===== Original Message From [log in to unmask] =====
>>>
>>I am under the impression you are in the UK. I assume the patients on
>>your queue all have you national health insurance. My questions are: can
>>a patient choose where they will receive there PT? Do all facilities
>>have queues? Are there physios in private practice who will treat
>>patients who will privately pay?
>>
>>I am in the UK. All the pts are on the NHS waiting list, referred
>from either orthopaedic consultants or GP's. The pts do not usually
>choose their location - the referral is sent to the physio dept
>closest to the pts postal code. They can be sent to other depts
>if it is more convienient fore them, but they do not choose the place
>with the smallest queue.
>
>
>We did a survey last year. A hospital 5 miles away had no waiting list at
>all, and ours was at 8 weeks. We phoned up pts, and asked them if they
>wanted to wait 8 weeks and come to our hospital, or been seen
>immediately at the other hospital. Very few took up this offer.
>
>I think it is a cultural thing. People are used to waiting for
>healthcare, and most just accept it, unfortunately. This is why the NHS
>will continue to struggle, as not enough people are prepared to pay
>for private care, as in the US.
>I DISAGREE WITH THIS LAST SENTENCE, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY!!!
>All facilities have queues. Most are about 4-12 weeks. Some are
>up to 4 months!! Pts do see private physios if they have money,
>and do not want to wait - this is very uncommon.
>
WE HAVE BEEN USING A SIMILAR SYSTEM IN OUR OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENTS, AS A
WAY OF SEEING PATIENTS QUICKLY. THE INITIAL APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN A
NORMAL (FULL) ASSESSMENT, WITH PATIENTS THEN BEING GIVEN ADVICE AND A
LATER APPOINTMENT OR BEING TAKEN ON IMMEDIATELY FOR TREATMENT, DEPENDING
ON THEIR CLINICAL NEED AND DECIDED BY THE PHYSIO.! I HAVE PASSED YOUR E-
MAILS ON TO OUR OPD STAFF WHO ARE CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE SYSTEM. THE
MAIN DIFFICULTY IS ENSURING THAT YOU HAVE ADEQUATE STAFF LEVELS TO DEAL
WITH IT AND IF YOU HAVE, YOU PROBABLY WONT HAVE THE WAITING LIST PROBLEM
IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!
>Hope this is of use.
>
>Matthew
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>from those wonderful people at [log in to unmask]
>------------------------------------------------------------
>
Teresa Cook, Telephone: (01493) 452811
Physiotherapy Fax: (01493) 452878
JPH NHS Trust, Lowestoft Road, e-mail:[log in to unmask]
Gorleston, Gt. Yarmouth,
Norfolk NR31 6LA
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