Alternative diagnosis to ease NHS referrals

Sir, – Bob Wilson’s account of a stressed-out pharmacist (Letters, May 13) prompts me to provide a solution to the NHS problem.

Delay and referral is the standard NHS procedure, and at present it is impossible to see a GP. Even when granted a phone appointment with one, their role is clearly to keep unwell people away from hospital.

So the time is here for change, and the food industry perhaps provides the profile for a future rapid-result NHS with instant access by stages.

The CEO of the new NHS would preferably be from a fast-food chain or a supermarket group.

The GP layer is scrapped, and GPs are taken into newstyle comprehensive hospitals where someone feeling ill can arrive at any time of day or night – on foot, by car, or by ambulance.

According to what seems to be the problem, the patient presents at the appropriately-signed entrance for examination, before being admitted further or moved to a more appropriate entrance.

Further investigation takes place, and the patient is dealt with that day by means of diagnosis and medication and discharge, or by admission to a ward that day as well.

All tests are performed there and then as required. There is no coming back later for results. Each new-design hospital will have laboratories on-site.

Whatever treatment is needed is delivered at once, including admission for surgery or other procedures. Recuperation after surgery takes place on-site and discharge is as soon as possible, with medication provided instantly from an adjacent facility, probably run by a former Amazon executive.

So now we have eliminated delay and duplication and probably reduced costs. No long referral procedures. No “come back and see me again in six weeks”.

Just a seamless and continuous process that gives a quick diagnosis to save lives, and then delivers a result in short order.

Malcolm Parkin.

Kinnesswood,

Kinross.