Doctor's visit on the clock!

L

lab-rat

Registered User
Messages
84
Hi There,
I went to a doctor recently in Lucan. There was a notice posted up in the waiting room stating that each visit should last for a maximum of 15 minutes, if a consultation runs over 15 mins an additional charge will be added. It also stated that patients should not visit the doctor with multiple complaints.

50 euro I paid for approx 10 minutes. I could not believe it.
Is it just me or is this out of order.
 
If the charges are clearly advertised, then I don't see what else you can do except take your 'custom' elsewhere. FWIW, our family GP charges a flat €45 and doesn't charge for follow-up visits in respect of the same ailment (within reason) — but maybe that's more generous/principled than the norm?
 
A friend of the wife brought her kid to the doctor for a free booster. While in the surgery she asked about another matter - just looking for information. The doctor refused to answer saying she should arrange a seperate visit for such matters.
 

These are the same GPs that the government hope will help cut the crowding in A&E. I feel another stealth tax coming on!

And yes you are right; it is way out of order.
 

there seems to be two kinds of doctors around. those who are interested in patient care and those who are interested in treating as many people as quickly as possible to line the pockets.

I feel that there is alot of sharp practise going on in the industry. I would advise you to try and find a GP who in interested in patient care - word of mouth is normally the best route for this.
 
Lab rat - I am confused by your post.

€50 for a medical consultation seems about right. Was that the rate quoted on the notice in the waiting room? If it was and if you were there for less than 15 minutes, then it's not out of order.

The "multiple complaints" notice is odd. I would have thought that people with minor ailments which don't justify a visit to the doctor would ask about these if they were visiting for something more serious.

Brendan
 
TarfHead said:
A friend of the wife brought her kid to the doctor for a free booster. While in the surgery she asked about another matter - just looking for information. The doctor refused to answer saying she should arrange a seperate visit for such matters.
Click to expand...


So much for their oath!!

Roy
 
I must say that given that doctors are supposed to be interested in primary and secondary prevention of such ailments as overactive bladder and COPD, it's hard to see how they can refuse to answer any other questions? I do think it's a cheek to ask people to pay extra for that as well. However, perhaps you'd be better asking them for a general check-up when you call and say that you've got a couple of things to discuss - that would prevent that.

As a declaration of interest: I work as an editor in a medical publication. (And I promise not to go down the publishing this story route!!!! At least, not without contacting ppl for information first!!!!!!! )
 
About 40- 50 euro is about the norm for a consultation which is expensive and makes it understandalbe that people would visit with multiple complaints. I agree with Brendans comments that people visiting with minor ailments which don't justify a visit to the doctor would ask about these if they were visiting for something more serious.
I actually thought a doctor would prefer this as Ive heard about doctors complaining about people wasting their time with minor ailments which I think is terrible as it may put people who have genuine compalints off visiting.
 
Plus sometimes people use minor ailments as a lead up to discussing a more serious issue. GPs should know this.
 
TarfHead said:
A friend of the wife brought her kid to the doctor for a free booster. While in the surgery she asked about another matter - just looking for information. The doctor refused to answer saying she should arrange a seperate visit for such matters.
Click to expand...

It looks like doctors are now following the Hypocritic oath, not the Hipocratic oath. Surely this merits a "Prime Time Investigates". I also notice a 10 euro charge in my surgery for doctor's notes over and above the 50 eu per visit. Instead of challenging my doctor and leaving I have just not bothered paying on grounds of it being a rip-off.
 
I'd like to see the VHI's reaction if one needed to use up 30 minutes and possibly incurred €100 charge. Will they entertain this only as a [broken link removed] if someone includes it in their yearly claim.
 
The last time I was at the doctors to get a prescription renewed I asked about another small thing. I was in the surgery for a total of 10 mins and the visit cost €65 instead of the usual €55.
 
Brendan[/quote]
Hi Brendan,
I do not have a problem paying the doctor’s fee but I feel that they should not put such a strict time limit on each visit. Some people may need to feel comfortable before they can open up and talk about personal problems, whether it is a mental health issue or a physical aliment. I felt like I was on a conveyor belt, and felt very rushed. There should be a more flexible attitude towards consultation times. Of course some time limits have to be in place but surely 15 minutes is too little for some people.
The issue of multiple aliments annoyed me, as I believe 50 euros is a lot of money to give over. People generally go to the doctor with one major problem and some minor complaints. However, who knows whether it is a minor problem or the start of something more serious.
That is why we go to the doctor to discuss all our concerns.
The way I took up the notice was if you have many ailments, book more than one visit to see the doctor. i.e. pay another 50 euros!!
 
Why not do something constructive about the situation:
  • Complain to the GP in question
  • Haggle over charges
  • Find another GP that does not use such a charging structure
  • Move and tell the original GP why you are moving
  • Complain to whatever statutories authority might be relevant in this case (e.g. ODCA, Medical Council?)
 
Clubman you are dead right. I moan about this sort of thing but generally do not follow it up. What offical body do you think deals with this sort of thing?
Does anyone know?
I will never go back to this practice again.
 
The ones that I mentioned would be worth checking first - having followed the other suggestions first ideally.
 
I see no problem with the doctor charging on a time basis like any other professional. With a packed room, it is very frustrating for doctors to have chatterbox patients. If they charge €50 per 15 minutes, then they should charge €100 for 30 minutes.

I think that the multiple ailments should be challenged.

Brendan
 
Brendan said:
With a packed room, it is very frustrating for doctors to have chatterbox patients.
Click to expand...
It is also very frustrating for patients who are waiting outside for 20 mins+ when appointments run late due to one patient hogging time.
 
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