How does a doctor make a diagnosis? ‘Diagnosis’ means the cause of a health problem. The main role of a doctor is to decide upon the diagnosis. To be able to make a diagnosis, doctors are trained for 4-6 years in the UK. Most of the training is learning: How to recognise ‘disease patterns’, via taking a […]
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The NHS Constitution The NHS Constitution (for England) is here. It is a document that sets out the objectives of the National Health Service, the rights and responsibilities of patients, staff, and trust boards – and the guiding principles which govern the service. Its seven guiding principles are described here. It sets out what you can expect from the NHS, your rights as a […]
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What is good (and less good) about the NHS? We put the question “what is good (and less good) about the NHS?” to a group of mainly non-medical friends. This page summarises their answers, including some quotes from them. Remember as we are ‘on the inside’. So we are of course harsh critics. We want […]
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What is a minor illness/injury unit (MIU) – and what are they for? In this article we will explain what a MIU is, and what type of conditions they are for. What is a minor illness/injury unit (MIU)? Minor illness/injury units are designed to take the burden off NHS A&Es by providing a facility to treat more minor […]
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What is my consultant’s name? This is not always easy to work out. The consultant is the senior doctor under whose care you are under in a hospital, or in the outpatient’s department at the hospital. It is very important you know their name and how to contact them. Although you may be seen by middle grade (registrars) […]
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What is an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP)? Advanced clinical practitioners are medically trained professionals who work alongside doctors and nurses, and other AHPs – to diagnose and treat patients. They are trained to diagnose, investigate, and treat medical conditions in many different areas of medicine, and specialities. They are experienced health professionals that work at the level of […]
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What is a Physician Associate (PA)? Physician Associates (PAs) are medically trained professionals who work alongside doctors and nurses, and other AHPs – to diagnose and treat patients. They are trained to diagnose, investigate, and treat medical conditions – in many different areas of medicine, and specialities. They are experienced health professionals that work at the level of […]
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Best time to go to an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) or Minor Illness/Injury Unit (MIU) 8am (or just before, say 7.45am). Why? Opening hours These are usually 8am-8pm (or 10pm), 7 days a week. They are staffed by experienced GPs (or equivalents) and nurses. Quiet It’s the quiet-ish time of day in a UTC or MIU […]
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What happens when you see a GP? Appointments last around 10 minutes. During the appointment your GP will ask you questions about your health. Try and be as honest as possible with your GP. They will have your past medical history (i.e. of major illnesses), operations and current medication on the computer. Give them as much […]
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How is the NHS funded? NHS funding is quite simple. We will now explain how the NHS is funded, the amount (and pattern over time) – and what it is spent on. The NHS is funded mainly from general taxation supplemented by your National Insurance Contributions (NICs). That is the short answer. In April 2003, […]
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