Pull your socks up doc (From Penarth Times)

Pull your socks up doc

11:40am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Letters

I UNDERSTAND the core hours GPs are contracted are 8am to 6.30pm.Their average salary in Wales I believe is in excess of £90,000.

On the few times I require a doctor’s visit I will be lucky to get an appointment within two weeks. I always ask for the first appointment if possible which is usually 8.35am.

On the occasions that I have been at the Stanwell Road Surgery, I have never been called in on time and on average have to wait at least 10 minutes. I have noticed on these occasions that the doctors usually getting in their respective rooms from 8.40am onwards.

On Thursday, March 7, I noticed the first patient seeing the first doctor at 8.45am, the second doctor 8.53am and the third doctor receiving his first patient at 8.55am!

I understand the average time a patient is allocated is about eight to 10 minutes with the doctor.

By my calculations if the doctors started examining their patients on time they would be in a position to treat at least 10 more patients each per week. Presumably this would help in reducing the waiting list appreciably.

I have always appreciated the dedication and contribution of our GPs in the community but feel if they used their working hours more efficiently everybody would benefit.

Name and address supplied