GPs should be able to cover out-of-hours city services
IWAS astonished to read that NHSGGC has to suspend out-of-hours services at three important Glasgow locations due partly to the chronic shortage of GPs willing to work out of “normal hours”!
Before anyone shoots me down I fully appreciate the pressures GPs face – the great job they do, and the chronic shortage of GPs in general.
A big part of the problem is that a big percentage of today’s newly or recently-qualified GPs, coming out of our universities, only want to work part time, and those who work full time (or part time) are not contractually required to do a minimum number of hours for a certain number of years postqualifying, in addition they obliged to do a minimum number of out-of-hours shifts per year.
So, although we still have good numbers of highly-skilled valuable doctors coming out of our universities, it just adds to the shortage issues if they are not required to do some undesirable/ less attractive shifts as part of their contract of employment with the health boards.
Surely it is not a big ask if every GP has to work four/five hours once a month in out-of-hoursservices as part of their contract?
It costs a lot of money to train GPs and I feel that closure or suspension of these services would not occur if it was written into contracts that “it goes with the territory” that occasional awkward hours are part of the job.
I hope that the health authorities and universities start to re-examine these issues and start to either change contracts or place more importance on flexibility for these services when recruiting.
Joe Hewitt
Balornock
FORGET using this shoddy workmanship purely as a political football and let’s hold those truly responsible for the QEUH’s construction to account.
We deserve to get the super hospital that we all paid for.
There are too many instances of sub standard workmanship in major infrastructure projects like this. Who signs these buildings off as completed satisfactorily? Tommy Hannah Posted online
THIS is a poor response from the CEO (‘Nightmare’ flood leaves single mum-offour, right, out of home for months, Thursday).
This lady and her children still have not been informed of when they will be returning to their home which meets the needs of her children. I hope this article is a wake-up call this Association needs. Kenny Maidin
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I HOPE this family finds a prompt and successful resolution and gets back to normal times. Wishing you well.
Mr A
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HOPE everything works out for you and your family Natalie. Life is not easy sometimes, but tomorrow is another day.
George Meek Posted online
I’M out the house before 7am and home again at 6pm (120 ATMs in Scotland switch to charging for withdrawals in the
We deserve to get the super hospital that we all paid for
space of one month, Wednesday).
My local branches have closed in the last year. My nearest branches are three miles or seven miles away.
I have to take time off work to visit my bank/building society. It is a serious problem in my area. Al McD
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MANY of these ATMs should change the signage from ‘free cash’.
I know that in Paisley outside the town centre, finding a free ATM is a task. Many ranging from £1-£2.50 charges.
There’s parts of Glasgow that is the same. Sure you can plan ahead, but not always and after a certain time of night you can’t go direct to the bank, so what are you supposed to do?
Many small shops in the affected areas also charge people using card or simply don’t accept cards.
People without a car are in a pickle.
It’s not possible for many people to be able to walk 30 minutes to their closest free machine and hope it’s still dispensing cash.
Actual free cash machines you find are usually the first to empty on weekends in areas where most ATMs charge.
Access to your own money shouldn’t be so difficult.
John A
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