What items should you take to hospital? These are the things you need to take to hospital (if you are going to be admitted): Current medication (and your repeat prescription list) – in case the ward do not keep a supply of them Medical record. This should include all past and present illnesses and operations Personal care […]
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If I ring a ward, who shall I ask for? Nurses – at least initially. If your loved one is in hospital, there will be many staff looking after them, including: Senior doctors – like consultants and registrars Junior doctors Nurses Allied health professionals – e.g. physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physicians associates, speech and language therapists and dietitians Ward clerk […]
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How to get better care from a doctor (5 things to do) In this article we will describe 5 ways to get better care from a doctor; whether they be your GP, hospital consultant, or another type. 1. Choose your doctors carefully – you need to trust them to help you (and they need to trust you, e,g. to turn […]
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Do hospitals lose patients? (and no, it’s not a daft question) Yes. Not completely (usually). But it does happen for the first 2-3 days of admission sometimes. Longer explanation. A large hospital can admit over 100 emergency patients a day. They try very hard to find you a bed on the most appropriate ward. But, quite often, especially […]
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How to improve a virtual appointment with your GP or consultant Since COVID-19, many doctors’ appointments have been virtual (phone or video). Not all patients like these. We understand that. They do have some advantages though. Here are some tips. First of all, make sure you know when your day/time slot is, and be ready for the […]
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Can my pharmacists do a medication review? Yes, very much so. In fact, if you are taking more than three different medications, it’s a good idea to have a medication review every year from a pharmacist. In fact, they are usually better at it, than a doctor. Most GP practices now have access to clinical […]
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What is an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) or Walk-in Centre? Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) are also called or Urgent Care Centres (UCCs) or Urgent Care Units (UCUs). They have similar services to Minor Injury Units (MIUs), and they both are usually in or near an A&E in a hospital. Most do not require an appointment. They […]
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How to prevent cancer (10 things you can do) Unfortunately there is not one answer or magic wand to prevent all cancers. But they are lifestyle changes you can make that are proven to help reduce your risk of cancer. Exercise. It is suggested you have 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5-6 times a week. Moderate exercise […]
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How long are GPs appointments? 10 minutes. But. 30% last more than 15 minutes 20% last more than 20 minutes. A 2021 study What should they be? Our GP appointments are one of the shortest in Europe. This is nothing to be proud of. Also the Royal College of General Practice, in 2019, recommended that they […]
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How can I prevent diabetes? I’ve got a family history Type 2 diabetes is a (partially) inherited disease. So you are wise to try to prevent it – especially if you are over 30 years old. Age and being Black/Asian are the other major risk factors. If you are at risk for diabetes, you may […]
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