Great things about UK and under threat: National Health Helpline.
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,396
Re: Great things about UK and under threat: National Health Helpline.
#17
Re: Great things about UK and under threat: National Health Helpline.
You know:
I'm quite sick I need to see a doctor.
or
I'm OK I'll take 2 paracetamol.............I don't need to see a doctor.
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 220
Re: Great things about UK and under threat: National Health Helpline.
As Parents we are trained to think we are inconveniencing the staff of Gp's and afterhours clinics and emergency rooms, mostly by non caring medical staff, or grumpy secretaries. I am personally fond of that service, here in Ontario we have a similar one.
Reeni
#19
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,396
Re: Great things about UK and under threat: National Health Helpline.
When serious conditions start to manifest, they don't always seem like something serious (as given in the example above this post). When non-serious conditions manifest, they can sometimes appear to be more serious than they are.
It can also be difficult to see a doctor, if it's for example a Friday night and the emergency department is dealing with the effects of a Friday night - you don't want to bother them, unless you know it's necessary.
#20
Re: Great things about UK and under threat: National Health Helpline.
I think NHS 24 is for when you can't easily get to see a doctor, which is a situation many unfortunate people find themselves in. It's not always as simple as "Do I need an aspirin or do I need a doctor?" Seeing a doctor can take hours of waiting, for example, and some people just can't (a) get there or (b) leave 5 kids at home while they are sitting in the doctor's waiting room.
#21
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,100
Re: Great things about UK and under threat: National Health Helpline.
I think it is an excellent idea. Here in the USA if it is after hours and you don't want to go to the emergency section of a hospital, you ask the pharmacist (chemist). They are not qualified nurses or doctors so the NHS is offering better assistance.