|
Title: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 11, 2009, 20:55:31 From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8396443.stm):
Quote NHS walk-in centres near railway stations are not popular with commuters and are a waste of money, say University of Sheffield researchers. A five-year pilot programme of six centres near stations in London, Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds was set up in 2004 as part of a ^50m programme. But a study has found they are seeing as few as 30 patients a day and cost twice as much as other GP surgeries. The government said the clinics offered a "valuable service". The commuter walk-in centres were initially funded by the Department of Health as part of an expansion of GP services. Unlike other nurse-led walk-in centres, the commuter clinics - which open from 0700 to 1900 Monday to Friday - also offer access to a doctor. While they are paid for by the NHS, they are actually run by private health firms. The Department of Health-funded evaluation found that the clinics were seeing between 33 and 101 patients a day, despite having capacity for 150 to 180 patients. Four of the centres were in a poor location away from the beaten track, the study - reported in the British Journal of General Practice - concluded. It was estimated that the price per attendance at the clinics was ^33 compared with an estimated ^13 for walk-in centres provided by the NHS. At some centres, the cost per patient was as high as ^62. Study leader Dr Alicia O'Cathain said the results showed that walk-in centres should be provided by the NHS, rather than private companies. And she added that they needed to be placed near where people work, rather than at train stations. "One of the problems was location, so one for example was near the train station but wasn't on the commuter track and there were very few people who went through that way. At the start and end of the day people are in a rush, but the way that people use walk-in centres is to go in their lunchtime." She said the contracts, which were paid up-front regardless of the number of patients seen, would not expire until next year. "My conclusion would be I would not go down this route." Local health trusts have told the BBC they will review the service before the contracts expire over the next year or so. Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said it was right the scheme was piloted before being rolled out further, but a five-year contract was probably too long. "Access to quality general practice is important, but clearly these pilots have shown this is not an effective use of resources. We still need to look at how we can provide care where patients need it." A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "It will be for primary care trusts to decide whether to continue providing these services and whether they offer the best value for money. These centres have proved a valuable service to young, mobile patients who we know struggle to access existing GP services." Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: ChrisB on December 13, 2009, 12:37:44 From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8396443.stm): NHS walk-in centres near railway stations are not popular with commuters and are a waste of money, It would help if they were signposted properly - anyone actually located the one at Liverpool Street....I spent a good 30 minutes looking for it last time I could have used it - but spectacularly failed to find it. As it isn't actually on the concourse, the station help points couldn't help either. There is just one sign that points in a direction which if you follow it, leads to a dead-end! Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: paul7575 on December 13, 2009, 13:20:09 Given the contracts are paid whether or not anyone appears for a consultation, maybe the docs go round now and again taking down the signs? :o I bet the NHS would be a great place to work if it wasn't for patients showing up...
Paul Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: JayMac on December 13, 2009, 13:21:36 Given the contracts are paid whether or not anyone appears for a consultation, maybe the docs go round now and again taking down the signs? :o I bet the NHS would be a great place to work if it wasn't for patients showing up... Paul Bit like the railways.....I'm sure things would run much more smoothly if it weren't for those pesky passengers :D Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: johoare on December 13, 2009, 22:37:55 I think there is one at Victoria and also maybe Paddington but maybe these are both totally private? And if they aren't then the fact that they give the impression they are private doesn't help... Perhaps in fact they are private? oh dear... :) ;D
Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: IndustryInsider on December 13, 2009, 22:59:26 There's one in Paddington. Tucked away in the corner of the 'Lawn'.
Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: Chris from Nailsea on December 13, 2009, 23:07:32 Hmm.
According to the NHS (http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/pages/Walk-incentresFAQ.aspx#q04), their six railway station walk-in centres are at ^Leeds, Headrow ^London, Canary Wharf, ^London, Liverpool Street, ^London, Victoria, ^Manchester, and ^Newcastle However, that's not to say that there isn't one at PAD, which for some reason doesn't count as a railway one (if you see what I mean)? Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: JayMac on December 13, 2009, 23:13:01 According to NHS Direct, the NHS commuter walk-in centres are only near London stations at Victoria and Liverpool Street. The others are also only near, not on, station property.
The other on station ones are private clinics run by medicentre (http://www.medicentre.co.uk/page.php?n=19). 65 quid a pop for a 15 mins consulation. Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: IndustryInsider on December 13, 2009, 23:26:33 The other on station ones are private clinics run by medicentre (http://www.medicentre.co.uk/page.php?n=19). 65 quid a pop for a 15 mins consulation. Ahh, that'll be the one at Paddington then. Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: johoare on December 13, 2009, 23:34:16 Yep.. the more I thought about it the more I realise it must be private..
Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: ChrisB on December 14, 2009, 10:02:18 And it's still there, so must be getting custom!
Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: Mookiemoo on December 14, 2009, 11:33:03 To be honest, I can't see why you would want to use a rail station GP surgery
1. If i'm that sick I don't mind whether I see a stranger or my own GP, then I'm not going to be commuting to work 2. I'm not going to have the rail GP as my own GP since I want one close to my house 3. If its an appointment for other than I'm too sick to work, its probably related to my medical history and I'd want my own GP to look at me as they are the ones that have my history Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: ChrisB on December 14, 2009, 11:45:40 That's a very masculine comment......I'm sure women appreciate having one on hand...could save on wasted time.
Also - one might sprain an ankle / wrist by falling over. Personally I'd want the injury seen to before heading home, if necessary. Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: moonrakerz on December 14, 2009, 12:37:06 Also - one might sprain an ankle / wrist by falling over. Personally I'd want the injury seen to before heading home, if necessary. Pay 65 quid to be told to go to A & E - ummm ! Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: ChrisB on December 14, 2009, 12:40:34 Oh, read this thread!
We are talking about the FREE NHS drop-in centres at / near railway stations... and you DON'T go to A&E for a sprain..... Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: Mookiemoo on December 14, 2009, 12:46:25 That's a very masculine comment......I'm sure women appreciate having one on hand...could save on wasted time. Also - one might sprain an ankle / wrist by falling over. Personally I'd want the injury seen to before heading home, if necessary. if that was directed by me, I am a woman! and if you are referring to repeat prescriptions for the pill - then (1) you only have to go once a year and often not even that, depends on the practice, if you within weight and blood pressure limits (2) if you arent and are getting them as an exception then the GP would need your full history otherwise would deny them (3) you can get them free of charge at family planning clinics which are more numerous than the station located GL surgeries and (4) if thats all they are useful for then they are not viable Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: ChrisB on December 14, 2009, 12:55:32 Sorry, it wasn't obvious....
And no, I wasn't.....on average, women do see their doctor's more often than men.... Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: Mookiemoo on December 14, 2009, 12:59:16 Sorry, it wasn't obvious.... And no, I wasn't.....on average, women do see their doctor's more often than men.... And again - I cant think of anything that is not a sprain or sudden severe illness where I would want to see a GP who did not have my full case history. And i don't think there are THAT many people falling over at stations or just falling over in general for there to be enough minor injuries to keep them going either Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: ChrisB on December 14, 2009, 13:00:24 Others may disagree however...
Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: Mookiemoo on December 14, 2009, 13:02:45 Others may disagree however... Clearly not as people arent using them QED Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: ChrisB on December 14, 2009, 13:07:13 From the report....
"Four of the centres were in a poor location away from the beaten track" I think you'll find distinct signage & advertising (people have forgotten about them) will increase patronage.... Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: paul7575 on December 14, 2009, 14:42:09 I think I've cracked this problem. All it needs is a bit of programming added to the online journey planners:
"Cross London journey times allow so much slack for both travelling on the tube and for walking between mainline and underground platforms, if you tick the box on the advanced options page we'll probably be able to sort you out with a GP checkup as well..." ;D Paul Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: JayMac on December 14, 2009, 14:46:28 Oh, read this thread! We are talking about the FREE NHS drop-in centres at / near railway stations... and you DON'T go to A&E for a sprain..... Where do you go with a sprained ankle that requires treatment if you are away from home then? Say you are at Paddington - quickest and cheapest option to get to is St Mary's A+E - a short hobble or cab ride up Praed Street. Exactly what happened to a friend of mine, except that she got a lift from a helpful BTP PCSO. And she was seen, pain relieved, treated and discharged within 2 hours..... and she was permitted later travel at no additional cost on her ADV ticket. Good public service all round. If you are cash rich and time poor then medicentre maybe the option, that's the sort of punter they cater for. Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: moonrakerz on December 15, 2009, 20:29:13 Oh, read this thread! We are talking about the FREE NHS drop-in centres at / near railway stations... and you DON'T go to A&E for a sprain..... 1. I DID read the thread, the subject of private clinics was raised. "Oh, read this thread!" ;D 2. Lots of people DO go to A & E with sprains, headaches, sore ears, etc, etc, etc.................... because they can't get an appointment with their GP until a week next pancake Tuesday ! Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: Mookiemoo on December 15, 2009, 22:50:58 Oh, read this thread! We are talking about the FREE NHS drop-in centres at / near railway stations... and you DON'T go to A&E for a sprain..... 1. I DID read the thread, the subject of private clinics was raised. "Oh, read this thread!" ;D 2. Lots of people DO go to A & E with sprains, headaches, sore ears, etc, etc, etc.................... because they can't get an appointment with their GP until a week next pancake Tuesday ! But the point is - the same people who go to A&E with a sprained ankle are not the sort likely to still be commuting - they will call 999. If you get as far as a mainline terminus with a sprain - chances are you are not that injured or lose money if you dont show up Title: Re: Commuters snub NHS GP surgeries near railway stations Post by: ChrisB on December 16, 2009, 10:26:19 Exactly - for whom these clinics are designed for!
This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |