So if I break my arm, and am in incredible pain, I need to first pop by my GP to get a referral, or pay 100€ if I go straight to A&E ?
Comment on Patients clogging up A&E with hiccups, sore throats and niggles
khannie@lemmy.world 1 day ago
They partly solved that here (Ireland) by making A&E visits €100 but free if your GP sends you in, but it sounds from the other comments like your GP situation is dire over there. How bad is it?
Devial@discuss.online 1 day ago
khannie@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Ah if you break your arm you just head straight in. I’m not sure if a medical card (essentially free medical treatment for low income folks) works for that but I’d imagine it does.
We had a lot of folks just arriving into A&E before because it was cheaper than going to their GP.
MouldyCat@feddit.uk 20 hours ago
ah so you were already paying to visit a GP? How much is that then?
Zombie@feddit.uk 1 day ago
Free at the point of service was a founding principle for a reason. A levy doesnt fix the root cause of the issue, and produces a myriad of other problems.
Lazylazycat@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Can you see your GP immediately? Like, when my partner has a seizure that lasts more than 2 minutes I’m meant to call an ambulance, but do you have to talk to your GP first?
Anyway, where I am in England it’s pretty difficult to get a routine appointment. 2-3 week waiting times. I’ve been having panic attacks and couldn’t speak to my doctor to get help; I completely understand why someone would go to A&E for help with this because you feel like you’re dying and who else can help if your GP can’t see you?
khannie@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Ah if someone has a seizure you’re just calling an ambulance. I actually think it might be free if you do. I had to call one for my wife early in the year and I don’t recall us paying (she badly needed it).
echodot@feddit.uk 16 hours ago
That would only work if they fix the GP system. Otherwise people will just pay the fee and go anyway.
If you don’t call between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and 1 second you won’t get an appointment the same day. Seriously that’s not much of an over exaggeration, it really is that bad.