Anonymous  Posted: 11/09/2007 09:36

Some GP's are OK others can't wait to get rid of you and they actually don't seem to care or be fazed by the fact that you are aware of this. I understand that they see countless of patients and perhaps they don't think that your problem is life threatening or worth worrying about but come one they're getting well paid for it and the least they can do is give you the time of day. My apologies for the ranting however - went to a GP lately went to see her because had stomach pains etc she told me not to worry about it - I advised her that all my sisters have had children and are on the second child and if I could get tests to ensure that I can have children - she said yes and talked about gynaecologists etc but said I was fine shouldn't worry about it!! was my own fault maybe but sometimes when you go to see a doctor with a problem they just sidetrack you making you think it's not that important to be concerned with I'm not happy with the majority of GP's I've seen bar 2 or 3.

Anonymous  Posted: 29/08/2007 21:47

Finally today I've taken the "bull by the horns" and changed GP, I now have to travel 40 minutes to get a proper and more responsible service for my 4 month old baby who at this present moment is very underweight and slightly anaemic due to the lack of care and attention she needed when I became aware of her situation. The incompetent service from my previous Surgery commenced a week before the birth of my child, when I apparently had a urinary tract infection which I wasnt told about until the day after the child was born and I was put on high dose anti-biotics for same, which could have been prescribed prior and saved a lot of complications. Following that my Public Health Nurse had been monitoring my child's weight over the last number of months and advised me to go my GP to look for a refferal to a Paediatrician. The GP more or less fobbed me off, "there was nothing to worry about, Public Health Nurses tend to over-react". On the advice of a relative, I got a second opinion from another GP who could not do enough for my child to get to the root of the problem. If anyone out there knows of a board or ombudsman I can forward my complaint to, I would be very grateful. I want to highlight this malpractice and hopefully no one else will have to go through what I experienced over the last number of months.

Anonymous  Posted: 01/08/2007 15:26

€45 for a competent professional service and very helpful advice. On my last visit, she did a smear, a blood test, took my blood pressure, perscribed meds and examined a skin condition.

Jane  Posted: 24/07/2007 22:46

Don't understand that last posting at all. G.P.'s (my own told me recently) that he gets paid more for his medical card patients than he does for his privates so I think your figures are a bit askew there. Ron, I don't know what part of the country you are in but my G.P. sutures and does routine smears. In fact, the surgery will send me out a letter when my smear is due. I don't believe that the state should pay for equipment for the use of private patients. What I actually believe is that we should be going down the initial route of the NHS in the UK. Everyone should be entitled to health care, regardless of whether they are private or public. There should be absolutely no discrimination. The problem is that the Government does not give G.P.'s any incentive to improve their practices or offer services that will reduce the need for A & E. Why would a G.P. bother to do a procedure on a patient if he is not getting adequate money for doing so? He ends up just sending the patient to an A & E dept? Yes, it'§s wrong, but it's what happens when people are undervalued and given no motivation. The same thing is happening in our hospital system. No respect for nurses or doctors so they become demoralised. Yet we expect these very people to look after us when we get ill.

r (MQZ11200)  Posted: 24/07/2007 13:50

A Gp receives Eur 200.00 per year for a medical card patient on average-less than Eur10.00/week for an individual with potentially complex medical problems.The payment to a Gp for a medical card patient to do minor surgery is about Eur 20.00 which barely covers the cost of the sterile pack and sutures.GP's have been waiting for a new GMS contract for years.The current contract is merely a sickness contract.Most Gp's do health screening on medical card patients but they get paid nothing for it(cholesterol ECG's etc) Private patients get a good deal in this country,In most areas they get a 24hr doctor on call service which they don't have to pay for if they don't use it

Ron Usmar  Posted: 24/07/2007 11:28

Dear Jane I speak as a private patient who wants to get minor treatments at the GP instead of having to go to hospital, but I can't get GPs to do them, even though they are normally done by GPs elsewhere. Why should I have to go to hospital to get a couple of stitches or get a skin tag removed? In other words, what we have is not general practice as it is understood in other places, but a medical Ticketmaster office, which does not give the service but only gives access to the service, and we pay a large fee anyway, for the privilege of not getting the service. No wonder people go straight to A&E or a Swiftclinic. On the other issues, we need to be clear - a general practice is a business. There may be many other motives as well, but all businesses are for-profit or they go bust. Businesses must invest in their premises/products/services to attract and retain customers. Why should GPs not have to do this? Why should the State (that's you and me) pay for equipment for private patients that will generate profit for the GP's business? In any event, the only way to end the so-called two tier system is to make all GPs state employees. I haven't heard any GP calling for that. In the end, this discussion is about what patients should be getting from their GP, not what GPs need to keep up the boarding school, stable and yacht club fees. Saying that the state won't pay your business costs is a pretty weak excuse for the very low level of service in Irish general practice. We don't expect a pharmacist to be mixing up bat's wings and eye of newt to cure you, or an accountant to be entering your data into a ledger with a feather pen. We expect a modern, professional and full service. Irish patients do not get a full modern service from most GPs, even though they and the State are paying for one. This is not about private vs public. Patients, public or private, need and deserve more than they are currently getting from Irish general practice.

Mac  Posted: 24/07/2007 10:56

I believe the only answer for complete GP service is to have it directly funded from the DOH, like the belfast system. There are funds allocated to each practice to do as they see fit. I am from Belfast orginally and at my Belfast GP you can get a lot of different types of treatments i.e. smears, bloods, nurse led clinics, midwifes, ante and post natal, asthma clinics, family planning and simple surgery e.g mole/wart removal. This all sounds very good but in a practice with 5 doctors it is a struggle to get an appointment with a doctor, average wait is 4/5 days unless it is an emergency. This compares with my GP where I am guaratied an appointment on the same day and there is only 1 doctor, so there are pros and cons with all types of services. My GP will do a more procedures than most, my old GP used to send me to the hospital for rountine bloods, now my GP does this for me and my husband cut himself quite badly he sutured him in the surgery which would normally have required a 5 hour wait in A&E.

Jane  Posted: 23/07/2007 21:46

Ron, The reason for G.P.'s not providing clinics for seperate specialisation/minor injuries etc is quite simply a financial question. Some years ago, G.P.'s were funded to buy specialised equipment so that they could do basic tests themselves rather than sending everyone the nearest hospital. Since then, Mary Harney has decided to remove this funding. Some G.P.'s bought the machinery but now have to fund the use of these machines themselves. If they pass on this cost to the patient it could only be passed onto private patients as the medical card patients can't be expected to pay. The result is that for simple scans and minor surgery etc the G.P. has no choice but to refer them to the local hospital. Its all part of the big plan of going down the American route. Speaking to some american friends some weeks back, they specifically advised that we should all fight this americanisation of our health system to the death, if need be. One we get rid of this two tiered system, there will be some chance of better treatments but until then we are stuck with everything coming down to how much you can pay when you are ill.

Sand  Posted: 23/07/2007 14:22

I have to say I have come up against the same problem as Melody. Doctors seem to need alot of advance warning that you will be sick. I caught an infection last week and was in a lot of pain. I called the doctors and was told the earliest appointment I could get was in 5 days, by which time the infection having made me sick for those 5 days had already mostly gone! What's the point!

anne (annemullen)  Posted: 23/07/2007 13:40

I note the question you ask is "how would you rate the standard of service your GP provides" not as most people seem to have answered how good is your doctor - i find my Gp is good but i dont think he provides a good service he has a consulting room a waiting area and a reception area but he provides no other facilities i.e. special clinics/ sports injuries/ physio. etc also he closes for a half day on thurs and is only available late untill 6.30 two evenings per week and like all other coresponders he charges €60 for a visit and extra for whatever tests and return visits to receivew your test results - so what did you mean my the original question how good is the doctor or how good is the service provided by him/her?

Fiona (fionarb)  Posted: 23/07/2007 11:13

Our GP provides an excellent service, and with the out of hours service provided by KDOC we must count ourselves as being very fortunate. Luckily we have not had to use either service for a while, and I hope the quality hasn't deteriorated since the beginning of the year!......

Ron Usmar  Posted: 23/07/2007 10:20

Overall, while there are many good GPs, the service from the Irish GP sector is very poor. I've lived here since 1990 and still haven't seen a practice that does all the basic treatments (ingrown toe nails, abcesses, dressings, vasectomies, common injections etc) or generic prescribing or precription review as a matter of course. They send you to outpatients or A&E for the simplest procedures and will not change or review a consultant's prescription, even though the symptoms make it obvious that it is wrong. In general, they do not invest in their businesses - no basic diagnostic or lab equipment, run down buildings, terrible waiting rooms and toilets. Many still have no practice nurse or receptionist and no appointment system, even though, if they have a GMS contract, the HSE pays for these. As for the lack of medical card GPs in some areas, it ain't for the want of trying. The commonest objectors to a new GMS contract are existing contractors, even as they complain about the size of their GMS lists. GMS contracts for GPs should be like the pharmacy contracts - if you fulfill the requirements, you get a contract (and look at the improvement in pharmacy since that came in). Patients would then have a true choice of doctor scheme based on the patient's needs, not the doctor's. If a GP practice has to compete for private and public patients based on the service level it provides, that can only be a good thing for patients, general practice and the health sector. Roll on the day.

lucky one  Posted: 22/07/2007 22:32

i guess i am lucky i was very sick 2 years back and was waiting for hosp bed my original doc at the medical clinic did'nt take my calls when i rang frantically asking what was going on, i got through to my now doc and if anything been a gentleman was what he was .ok he had to get me in via a & e in the end ,but he tried . He showed up at hosp at one stage and i've stayed with him ever since. when consultants write to him about me he shows the letters , theres never a rush with him so wonder we have to wait longer in the waiting room ! theres is 4 docs in this clinic in the south and if he is'nt free ill wait if its not urgent .incidently my orig doctor is as nice as pie now amazing she knows my name now .

melody  Posted: 22/07/2007 00:35

To see my doctor, I need to know a week in advance that I will be sick (crystal ball?) Rang on a Tuedsay for an appt for my son who has asperger syndrome. This was for a constant tummy ache. I explained to receptionist that he needed to see the same doc as this was due to his condition and was told that he would get an appt the following monday! Not good. In the same surgery, as I sat in waiting room, one of the doctors made a phone call from reception regarding one of his patients. He then called out her name, DOB, address and her complaint (problems with pregnancy) for everyone to hear. This is a small enough town - enough said!! I am still looking for another doctor!

r (MQZ11200)  Posted: 21/07/2007 09:52

Judging by the poll there appears to be a high satisfaction level.There aren't many other areas of the health service that would get a 67% approval.Isn't it ironic that successive governments have neglected primary care for years

design  Posted: 20/07/2007 23:07

Can't knock my G.P at all, She only prescribes drugs where totally necessary, and weather she has any faith in alternative medicine is quite happy for me to try it as opposed to going to hospital for treatment. I hope those of you looking for a good G.P don't give up, It's worth all the searching.

Gerard (gmolloy)  Posted: 20/07/2007 16:13

My doctor is very good - helpful, personable and great with my kids - the only problem that I have is with the out of hours service - it is certainly a step down in terms of service to being able to use your trusted GP.

Angel  Posted: 20/07/2007 15:58

I have a great relationship with my GP, who is a wonderfully patient and caring person. His practice is old style insofar as he is the only doctor in the practice and his approach is more of a friendly listener who offers very sound advice and dispenses prescriptions when necessary. However, I am less confident that accurate records are being maintained of drugs prescribed, xray results, consultant referrals and reports. I have to admit that I would prefer more balance in his approach but I don't expect it to happen at this point. That said, I am not sufficiently uneasy to change doctors; I'm just careful to keep records of my own for reference purposes.

Gjad  Posted: 20/07/2007 15:57

Unfortunately our doctors' clinic is an unfriendly place. Doctors seem to insist on a separate visit for each complaint. I am a medical card patient. If I was paying it would be different. Blood pressure just rises in waiting room! Ask for digital prostate cancer test and every excuse offered. So where do I go for a yearly check up? Doctor in neighbouring Health region wont see me because of Medical Card. A matter for discussion! At my age while in best of health how do I know if I have not some insidious complaint? Unfortunately my very friendly consultant is 70 miles away. Can I resign as a Medical Card holder?

Kevin  Posted: 20/07/2007 15:35

I cannot praise my GP enough. He is a small one man surgery but gets togeter with a group of similar GPs to offer out of hours coverage. Its a reasonable €30 to €40 depending on how much time I spend with him, test he performs etc. I am never rushed, don't spend hours waiting. If I need to see him in a hurry (with a genuine problem) then its no problem. He actively encouraged me to start regular checkups (normally he might see me once every couple of years unless I have an ongoing problem) and now rings me to remind me I am due a check up. The check us is charged at the normal rate but the follow up for the results and to talk about them is free.

Robert  Posted: 20/07/2007 15:34

I have rarely been satisfied with GPs'. They take on too many clients for a start and are always in hurry. I had a skin condition and as the GP did not know what it was (after having done a specialist course in that area, I was surprised), he sent the samples to a lab. and was supposed to contact me with the results-that was five years ago. Most GPs' I know take cash from Medical Card holders-which I consider odious, and for which they should be struck off. A statement to the effect that MC patients should not pay money for a GP visit should be prominetly printed on all Medical Cards and there should be publicity to that effect.

confused  Posted: 20/07/2007 15:14

My GP is excellent , at the moment I am attending hospital,but my gp has sent me for scans and blood test that the hospital have not done.

I  Posted: 20/07/2007 14:53

Ann, I would consider 60 euro twice a year a bargain if the result is better health. If money is that tight maybe you should enquire about getting a medical card. As for the prescriptions, they should be cheaper on the drug payment scheme -again look into medical card. I think in some cases medical expenses are taken into account. As for your bonescan, it is usually your responsibilty to contact your GP -they don't send out reminders. For all she knows you may have already changed GP -you did say she asked you to attend every six months. Finally, finding a GP you feel comfortable with is a very personal thing, if you're not happy try someone new -shop around.

Anonymous  Posted: 20/07/2007 14:44

Many of the comments relate to personal relationship with the gp but as regards the 'services' they offer, I find these severly limited. I would like to see nurse led clinics where (for a cheaper cost) health promotion, screening etc could be undertaken by the nurse practiioner. I also feel that GPs need to play their part in building relations with the hospitals (through liaison committees etc) so that they do not simply shrug their shoulders when information is slow in coming back from consultants. In the case of ongoing illness I feel many gps wash their hands of hospital led treatments rather than take on a role of providing local support and advice in between hospital visits. I suspect that sometimes gp training in some areas is not sufficient.

Ann  Posted: 20/07/2007 14:38

Ann, Change your G.P. There are plenty of good ones out there. What part of the country are you in?

tracy  Posted: 20/07/2007 14:18

My GP is brilliant. Last week I rang him to make an appointment, to find he was full for a couple of days. He explained my problem and he rang me back to tell me to come in to the surgery that evening when he was closed.He even gave me is mobile number to ring when I was outside and he spent over an hour with me, never rushing me and really taking me seriously.He is very sympathetic and very easy to talk to . I would feel more at ease talking to him than some of my family and friends.We are currently going through iui/ivf treatment and he is so supportive.

Mac  Posted: 20/07/2007 14:16

My GP is amazing-he is just the best thing since sliced bread, he's a great listener and never rushes you and is very cheap (€45) sometimes he doesn't charge you at all. Ann, I would love to tell you who my GP is but I'm afraid it would be removed by Irish Health. I would recommend him to anyone.

Anonymous  Posted: 20/07/2007 13:11

My local gp service has 3 doctors, all have there shortcomings. if you want to look after your health and prevention as we are all told is better than cure these are the wrong doctors to see. There is heart disease on both sides of my family and we were all once advised to keep a check on our BP and cholestorol. My father died of heart failure at 55 and his doctor gave us all that advice. Both myself and my sister both in our 20's asked the gp for blood test referal to the hospital and his answer was to go and lose weight, both of us at normal weights. It turned out that my sisters results was 7.7 at the age of 26, she is very fit and loves to jog regularly. My gp service could be compared to a conveyor belt, in and out in a couple of minutes, it all about money to them.

ann (TRK44562)  Posted: 20/07/2007 12:33

I wish one of the 65% would give me the name of a good GP as mine is a money- grabbing disaster. The only conversaion she has with me is about the dangers of smoking, as if I've been living in a cave and haven't heard the news. My doc lost all interest in me when I started taking cheaper calcium for my bone loss and was not attending on a six- monthly basis at 60 euro a throw for a prescription. My doc hasn't contacted me in over two years even though I'm overdue for a bone scan and need a letter. Please no smoking fascist replies, we know all about it. Bottom line is I feel I'm just another number on her computer.

Polly  Posted: 20/07/2007 12:02

My GP is excellent. We have a really good relationship. I was diagnosed by him for an illness which I had been tested 4 times previous in England to no avail.

Sand  Posted: 20/07/2007 10:51

Ive seen 3 GPs in the last 8 months regarding an ear infection that keeps coming back in every month. Each GP knows that though what they are prescribing works initially, it isnt stopping it coming back. Yet they will not refer me to a specialist, preferring instead to see if what the prescribe next will work instead. ' spent a fortune on seeing them and its been a complete waste. I dont feel the service I'm personally getting is good at all given what I am paying for it.

Noelle (DQA55270)  Posted: 20/07/2007 10:47

Finding a quality gp is a nightmare, I've been to more gps recently trying to find a good one than I care to mention. my most recent guy thinks its fair to charge 60 euro to see him, 40 for a blood test and 60 to get the results. All to tell me I needed to eat healthier food. my heart is broken trying to find a competent gp who doesn't need a picture book to diagnose me, and who has a clue about women's issues. the search continues...

Anonymous  Posted: 16/07/2007 14:19

Excellent, takes time to listen to what I have to say. does not rush me out the door. Makes sure I am not allergic to what is being prescribed as I have a lot of allergies.

Beelzebub  Posted: 16/07/2007 12:04

My GP is a good guy, takes his time, doesn't rush you and seems interested in how you're doing year-on-year. Most importantly, he's nearly always available and doesn't try to palm me off on locums. If your GP is regularly trying to dump you, you should instead dump him - or her. An increasing number of GPs are going 'part time', especially as they seem to be able to earn plenty while only working 101-15 hours a week. This might suit them, but where's the continuity of care for the patient?