Day: Sep 13, 2022

I have spent 3 days trying to see my GP. I was told I had to telephone at 8.30 am yesterday morning. I rang 45 times between 8.30 am and 9.20 am.

When I finally got an answer I was told I had missed all the doctors “call you back” spots for the day.

I insisted to the receptionist that I needed to see a doctor.

In the afternoon I got the flowing message from a number I could not reply to!

Dear Mr Buckley,

Following your medication request today the GP feels this would be best being discussed with our Nurse Mandy who will call you tomorrow to discuss your symptoms, please expect the call.

Reception Team
Corran Surgery

MY REPLY BY EMAIL

“I did not request medication. I requested an appointment with a GP.

If none of the doctors are willing to see me – then so be it.

I do not want to speak to a nurse.

(Bishop) Pat Buckley

LATER NOTE TO DOCTOR

Dear Dr Hopkins,

I have been a patient of this practice for 38 years. I have never done anything but respect the practice. I have never asked too much or bothered the doctors unnecessarily.

I am now a 70 year old man with various chronic medical conditions.

I have been telephoning the surgery for three days. This morning I called 45 times from 8.30 am to 9.20 am. When answered I was told I had missed the list for today’s calls from a doctor.

I am absolutely disgusted by my treatment today.

But that will not bother you, I imagine?

Pat Buckley

AND

When I first came to Larne in 1984 we had 14 GPs in the town.

Not only did they do five 8 to 6 days – they also covered their own overnight cover.

On top of that they manned the 24 / 7 / 365 A&E in the town.

Today the GPs do a four and a half day week, have all other cover performed by an out of hour doc service and have no A&E work to perform.

And, unlike in the old days, they have practice managers and a whole plethora of office staff – and earn £ 130,000 plus per annum – and Covid and other bonuses.

VOCATIONAL DOCTORS I’VE MET

Dr Charlie Cosgrove GP Larne. Worked day and night. Had time to really listen. Total generosity.

Mr Roy Maxwell Surgeon Belfast. Renowned for his dedication to patients. When he did major surgery on me in 1991 he was at my bedside every day at 8 am, 1 pm and 6 pm. And came to me at 3 am one morning I was poorly.

Professor John Hermon Taylor Dean of Surgery St George’s Hospital London. Renowned surgeon and Crohns Disease researcher. Still working in his mid 80s.

Dr Tom Trouton cardiologist N. Ireland. Always gave and still gives 1000%

I will very interested to hear readers views on medicine – past and present.

UPDATE

Apology from GP. Appointment in 10 minutes and xray in 30 minutes. Result at 4 pm

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/priest-reinstated-after-unsubstantiated-historical-claim-against-him-41980666.html

Pat says:

This case is a reminder to us that some people and some priests who are accused of abuse can be innocent.

There were two in investigations into Fr Mc Aleer – a police one and a church one. The matter was relating to a minor before he was ordained.

The Church hearing does not involve the same level of evidence that a criminal trial does.

The accusations were not substantiated.

We don’t know if the complainant did not offer evidence or refused to attend hearings.

But we must remember that in our countries we regard people innocent until found guilty.

That does not mean that they have to found innocent!

The Armagh statement says that this has been difficult for all involved.

We must recognise that.

We must also recognise that it has been hard for Fr Mc Aleer.

We must also wish him well as he gathers the pieces together again.

QUEEN ELIZABETH

I signed the Book of Condolences for Queen Elizabeth at my local council office yesterday.

OVER TO SCOTLAND