I believe anyone who lives in the UK and is an NHS patient has noticed a decline in its services in the past few years.
GPs look more tired, and not willing to do thorough examinations, receptionists and staff are more aggressive, and there is an overall disregard towards patients.
As we all know, the system forces patients to go to GPs before they can see the doctor they need.
What that does is:
1. Puts a great amount of pressure on GPs to diagnose things they are not trained to diagnose
2. Gives GPs 10 minutes to make said diagnosis
3. Forces patients to depend on GPs who may take too long to refer them -if they decide to- to the appropriate doctor
4. Forces patients to wait, when that time may result in their death
Moreover, when a GP makes a diagnosis, that appears on your file, and the next GP who will see you is advised to follow that diagnosis rather than make a new one.
That means that if a GP didn't like you or if they just made a wrong diagnosis, that will follow you for a very long time and will probably result in more wrong diagnosis.
Now, I believe we have all heard NHS is being defunded. Considering that GP Practices already run on a budget, that just jeopardises patients health.
What am I talking about?
Basically, every Practice has a budget. When a GP refers you to another doctor that budget is used. Therefore, GPs are advised to not refer you unless they have explicit proof you absolutely need to be referred. Which means that sometimes you may actually need a referral and not get one.
It is cheaper for the NHS for you to go to the A&E when you're dying, rather than for them to refer the majority of people who ask for a referral. It is also a lot cheaper for them to give you medication, since most patients pay for their medication. Which is why they prefer to give people psychoactive medication, than refer them to therapists and counselors.
Why?
1. This way the GP Practice's budget remains untouched
2. The amount of people who will be dying and be in need of urgent care is lower than the number of people who will ask for referrals
3. Most people have to pay for their medication, but no one has to pay to see a GP and be referred to another doctor
So, now that there is less funding, there will be less referrals and probably less practitioners, and more waiting time. Furthermore, there will be a lot more prescriptions handed out.
A person who suffers from mental health has to wait 2-4 months to see a therapist, and even then, they only get 10-12 sessions. As you realise that is not enough or sufficient for people who suffer from mental health. Most mental health patients need years of therapy to see a great shift in their mood and health. Not to mention, a person who claims to be suffering from mental health has to go through a number of evaluations before they even get their sessions approved.
When you need an X-Ray or Pap test you have to wait for a few weeks before you get an appointment, and you aren't consulted when you are available for it. You are just expected to somehow be able to attend, and if you can't and have to reschedule, you may have to wait for months before you can get an appointment.
I know, by now you must be flabbergasted and frustrated due to this information. Which is absolutely understandable, if not expected.
And you may wonder, how did I acquire this information?
Well, apart from the fact that I came across a nurse who was very talkative regarding funding -she even mentioned they won't be giving STI tests to people anymore unless they're high risk- I also happen to know three doctors who at some point of their lives worked for the NHS.
On one hand I understand there's a lot of pressure on nurses, doctors and medical staff to perform under dystopian circumstances, which obviously causes them anger, irritation and influences their ability to perform. On the other hand, I cannot but be worried and fearful for the future of the patients, as they are the ones whose wellbeing is being affected.
