Shard

The practice we use (7-8 docs) do a limited phone triage, but I think full phone triage is the way to go. We also get call backs, so it's going in the right direction.

BristolUK

Can't you just google?

A bit of DIY Tracheotomy never did anyone any harm.

Shard

See Post #2.

R I C H

One on three people don't have a GP here. Finding another doctor isn't a practical option: https://www.google.ca/amp/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4069677

Novocastrian

We've used NHS 111 on two occasions since we came back. Seems to work just fine.

BristolUK

I saw it but mine was funnier and more imaginative.

Not to mention relevant in the context of phone triage

BristolUK

Aren't they two separate things?

Shard

My experience of 111 is a call centre operative that can read the NHS website.

Practice triage seems to be done by the head nurse and/or doctor and is far more reliable.

BristolUK

I think I misunderstood Novo's comment.

scrubbedexpat091

I had doctors in the US doing email and phone consults as far back as the late 90's (phone) and early 00's (email) and now of course video type services are available.

Along with those above services Nurse Practitioners are common in the US for anything not serious enough to need a doctor, which allows the doctor to spend more time with those patients who need a doctor.

I find it strange still I have to see a doctor for such things as a refill and other ailments that a nurse practitioner could easily do.

Obviously the system of payment is different in the US vs Canada, but BC anyhow seems behind the times in many areas of healthcare, seems patients would benefit if we had more nurse practitioners working alongside doctors and not rely totally on doctors.

Siouxie

Ontario seems to be in favour of Nurse Practitioners anyway.

Ontario Providing New Prescribing Authority for Nurse Practitioners

My ex sister in law was a NP, she worked up in Nunavut 20+ years ago and often had to perform surgery as there were no doctors for hundreds of miles.

dbd33

When my daughter (NP in Canada, some sort of anesthetic giver in the US) first went to Africa she worked in triage. When a hospital bed came free, because someone was patched up or died, she went amongst the refugees looking for people who were seriously injured but repairable, ideally ones who were photogenic. Resources are finite, there's no point in using a bed for someone who's going to die anyway and fund raising is always a concern.

When I've been injured I've considered getting her opinion via WhatsApp but I fear I'd get something like "you have bones sticking out of your leg? Then borrow an automatic car to drive to the hospital". My problems are always first world ones.

old.sparkles

The $7,000 is the figure quoted in the original poster, so you would think it is accurate.

Tangram

Best of luck Rich and all best wishes for your next stage.

Jingsamichty

Best wishes on your next stage back in the UK, Rich. Not so great about the circumstances but that's something most of us have to face. Just be grateful you/we have the resources to be able to make a decision, there are many people who don't have the luxury of choice.

Do you think you'll go back to Canada in time?

By the way, the sign is a shocker. Hard to feel sorry for a medical doctor in North America. I well remember my dentist in Calgary bemoaning the cost of keeping his daughter at Oxford University... my heart bleeds, I wonder what my bill is going to be??!!