Reality of arranging a check- up with doctor
ON the BBC News it was reported that there has been a decrease in referrals by doctors, of people who are showing symptoms of cancer and other serious health conditions.
If my experience is typical, the reason for that decrease in referrals is because we can’t get an appointment to see a doctor.
The following story is not the first time I have been unable to see a doctor since the coronavirus pandemic.
At 5am on Monday, I woke up in agony from the pain in both of my legs, from the feet upwards. My tongue was very, very dry.
I needed medical assistance immediately. I telephoned the NHS emergency line, and the response was excellent. The person I was speaking with was very helpful and reassuring. An ambulance soon arrived at my house. The crew were excellent and did a number of tests on me.
Then came decision time. They said that they could take me to a hospital, but suggested that I could stay at home, but to see my doctor as soon as possible.
One of the reasons they suggested that I could stay at home is that my wife has dementia. She is 88 and I am 89. She can’t be left alone. They asked if I could get someone to look after my wife if I went to hospital. I replied that we had made arrangements with our next- door neighbours. They were prepared to help me in situations like this until my daughter arrived.
I telephoned my neighbours. No reply. It is the September weekend. They must be away. The neighbours on the other side of us just moved into their house a few days ago. I elected to stay home with my wife, promising that I would contact my doctor in the morning.
At 9am, I telephoned the doctor. “The surgery is closed”, was the response.
I telephoned on Tuesday at 9am. The line was engaged. There is no answering service. So I telephoned at least four more times. The line was always engaged. I went to the Health Centre at 4.30pm to try to get an appointment.
When I arrived there was a large notice, “Please Do Not Enter If You Do Not Have An Appointment”.
The above is not meant to be a criticism. It is a report on the reality of the situation facing doctors and people who need medical attention. That includes people with symptoms of cancer.
NINETY years ago I lived in a street in Glasgow that I think was unique at that time as this street was really divided into two parts – upper and lower with both having three- storey housing on both sides.
I lived in what we called the lower end of the street. What made it unique in this really small area was that it was like a small town in itself.
It comprised of three corner pubs, a picture house, a railway tunnel, one fishmonger, two fish and chip shops, two dairies, two candy ball shops, two newsagents, one money lender’s office, one chemist shop, one cobblers shop, one fruit shop, one ice- cream shop, a pen leading to a two- storey house, tram cars running across the bottom of the street and as a bonus, eight members of my family rented houses with access from our street. Where is this street? Hugh Derby
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It was like a small town in itself
Do you know the name of this street? Email letters@ glasgowtimes. co. uk
I HOPE the Subway is not affected. It’s a very important service ( Subway needs cash support after ticket revenue plummets this year, Wednesday). Martin Neilson
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