26 Weeks -- GPs get paid how much??

I recently heard that the average GP receives an annual salary of £100K. After the past two visits, it truly beggars belief.

 

Went in today for a routine visit. Firstly, she actually asked if I was pregnant. Although flattering (or is it?), it's a bit worrying. She took ages to find the baby's heartbeat, which I guess could be normal if the baby is lying funny. Her conclusion was that the heartbeat was "somewhere between 140-160 so that's good". Uh huh. She then asked if there was anything else I needed to talk about so I had to remind her that I was just getting over an infection and perhaps she needed to take a urine sample. Her conclusion left me a bit confused. I think I'm okay now, but she didn't seem totally convinced. I guess if I feel badly again I should just go back to A&E and get more antibiotics, which would take less time than me getting a GP appointment.

 

Then I reminded her that I had a blood test done last week to see if I had any medical reason (besides being pregnant) for why I have such a lack of energy. Apparently, they only took a full blood count, but didn't check my iron levels or my thyroid activity so I have to go back again next week (next avail appt) to get blood taken and then go back a week after that to hear what the GP has to say about my results. Efficiency at its finest! She did ask if I was "eating well", which I said that I was. Not sure what she meant by eating well. I mean, I think I'm eating enough and I do try to eat all the good things I'm supposed to eat (coupled of course with a lot of bad things).

 

I could go on about other things in the appointment, but it would be a waste of time, which is exactly what this appointment was. The good thing was I got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which is always a joy!

 

Next time I think i'll pee in a cup for Robin and have him analyse it. I have a feeling it'd be more productive.

Comments

[Dale]

As much as I love the notional idea of our healthcare system, it is utterly crap. Can you see anyone privately on the company healthcare or are baby things excluded?

[Ashley]

wouldn't you just know that baby things are excluded? you gotta love it! of course, in the States you have to pay something like $3500 in hospital bills to have a baby and you hardly get any maternity leave. I really shouldn't complain too much! how are you, D-LO??? xx

[Dale]

That's just dumb in the face. I definitely don't want babies now.

I'm good. Getting a little antsy waiting for my visa interview date, though. I hear lots of people there are being made redundant...? Are you and Bendy OK?

[Ashley]

I'm fine and Wendolyn is fine. Others aren't so it's quite stressful and sad. Lots of people leaving. Should have held out, D-Lo! They ended up taking some voluntary redundancies! Any word at all when your visa interview will happen??

[Dale]

I got my date today! Are you free for lunch next Wednesday? I have my interview at 9am then I was going to come to Hammersmith to see whoever's around for lunch.

[Ashley]

I sure am! Can't wait to see you! xx

[bigted]

[this is good] Hi, hope your well. I have just a few points about your post


1.Just about everyone who becomes pregnant claims lethargy, they don't all need tests for thyroid problems and anaemia and certainly iron levels aren't routinely checked for lethargy.
2.Its bad practice to assume someone is pregnant. The doctor should always ask.There are lots of other conditions which can give the appearance of being pregnant
3.Antibiotics aren't always the answer for a water infection, most can be dealt with by drinking more fluids, if someone is clinically getting better whats the point of repeating the water sample. Repeating it would be a waste of resources.
4.Listening to a babies heart beat is fairly arbitrary and requires little skill. There only one place to put the probe. Taking a little extra time to find the heart beat is not a bearing on the doctors ability.
5. Asking you if your eating well is a fair question. Try asking for a detailed dietary history in a 10 minute consultation, not really possible and probably not worth it either. 
Try to look it from their viewpoint and if you have concerns then just tell them and perhaps they can explain the reasons for doing what they are doing which will avoid misunderstanding

[bigted]

6. I work in a practice of 10 doctors, 3 of them (the partners who run the business) probably get paid over  100,000, the rest of us get no where near and considering I for instance have 3 degrees (but the equivalent of 5)and think about medicine 24 hours a day I don't think we are doing that well and in the current climate of GP bashing being a doctor is pretty awful