Back to the slog

Well I have been away for 2 weeks on a very enjoyable holiday with plenty of unhealthy activities – and I am not just talking of the Cornish cream teas!

 It is Bank Holiday Monday today and I popped into the practice to check things prior to work tomorrow. I was pleased to see over a 100 emails awaiting my attention and around 80 letters from consultants about my patients. All require detailed consideration and follow up to ensure patients are better or progressing as they should. There was also a lot of blood results on my patients that needed my consideration – most had been dealt with by my partners whilst I was away. There was also mounds of insurance reports and other paperwork! And all this before I even see a patient tomorrow.

 The day after a bank holiday is notorious in general practice for being busy. It seems every patient and their dog calls for an appointment. It is frustrating for patients who cannot get through on the phone but we have 8 phone lines manned by a member of staff open from 8am for our surgery. Even then there is a wait for the phone to be answered. Some complain but many understand we are trying our best to deal with problems.