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A Wishaw hospital consultant has pleaded with the public to think twice before attending A&E. Dr Kenneth Dagg spoke exclusively to the Wishaw Press after NHS Lanarkshire revealed patient numbers have increased by almost 20 per cent in the past year. The health board are urging people to look at alternative services such as NHS 24, GP out-of-hours and pharmacies before coming to the already stretched A&E. The problems are at the GP surgery.
You have to continously phone daily to get an appointment and then have to assessed on the phone to see if you need a doctor a nurse.
It is a disgrace. Some GP surgeries work on a week-to-week appointment so if you want to see your doctor and you phone on a Monday you can only get appointment for the following Monday if there are any available.
If not you then have to phone on the Tuesday and so on and so on.
It is ridiculous and that is why people are going to A&E.
GP’s have to get the appointment system sorted so patients can get appointments and can see their GP and get treated. Catherine Donnelly
That’s great when you get an out-ofhours doctor at 5.45am.
I was coming from Shotts to Hamilton and then having to wake up your new born baby.
It’s a joke. I had to decline that appointment for myself and wait for the GP surgery to open at 7.30am. Chal Brown
Removing the out-of-hours from Wishaw is probably the cause. Fiona McGough
There are empty doctors’ surgeries and no appointments available. Scott McLeod
I think the problems stem from not being able to get a doctor’s appointment.
Some are three weeks away so people just go to A&E. John Brown
A school teacher from Wishaw kept a promise to her late nana as she crossed the finish line at Sunday’s Great Scottish Run. Gemma Kane, 24, and her dad Des, 58, both completed the 10km event to raise money for Alzheimer’s Scotland. They chose to raise money for the charity following the recent death of Gemma’s nana Mavis Craig from Newmains, who passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 89.
Well done Gemma and family.
Great cause as my grandfather died of the same thing. Andy McLean
Well done. What a lovely tribute to a lovely lady who I had the privilege to meet in hospital two months ago. Loved her singing. Eleanor McGuinness
TeaBreaktime Dear Editor,
Have your readers been inspired by the Great British Bake Off? Their time in the kitchen whipping up biscuits, puddings or cakes could make a really difference to people with epilepsy.
Epilepsy Action’s Tea Break is on Friday, October 18.
People up and down the nation will be popping the kettle on and rolling out their best bakes.
The tea parties will raise money to support people with epilepsy in the UK.
Every cup of tea and sweet treat sold at an Epilepsy Action Tea Break will raise vital funds to support the charity’s vital work.
Whether it’s through our experts on the Epilepsy Action Helpline or our network of local support groups, we’re here when people with epilepsy need us.
More than that, we are the voice for people with epilepsy, speaking up to ensure people with epilepsy get the best health services and support possible.
Holding your own Epilepsy Action Tea Break couldn’t be simpler.
Everyone who signs up by October 14 will get a handy toolkit, filled with baking inspiration. For a free pack, visit epilepsy.org.uk/teabreak or call 0113 210 8851. Natalie Warnock, Epilepsy Action
CatsProtection Dear Editor,
Cats are much-loved pets, yet many of your readers may be surprised to learn that they do not have the same level of protection as dogs when it comes to microchipping.
While microchipping is compulsory for dogs, there are no such laws for cats, and this means many lost or injured cats are not able to be reunited with their owners. Being independent and curious, cats are more likely than dogs to roam and get lost far from home.
Cats Protection has launched a petition calling on the government to bring in laws to ensure that all owned cats across the UK are microchipped.
By ensuring all owned cats are microchipped, owners will have the peace of mind of knowing their cat has the best chance of being returned home should they become lost. Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection