Memorable patients: Those who sit and wait

doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7309.362

BMJ 2001;323:362 ( 18 August )

Filler

Memorable patients

Those who sit and wait

We have been fortunate as a family to have had little need for healthcare services in recent years. A few months ago, however,two members of the family were unwell within days of each other,and their differing experiences made me reflect that we have someway to go to achieve equity in the delivery of healthcare.

Lynne, my wife, had a persistent productive cough, fever, and malaise. On arrival at the surgery, a receptionist confirmedher appointment and pointed to the adjacent waiting room. Thebuzz of conversation within centred on the fuzzy summons thatwould occasionally crackle from the intercom. The younger patientswere intermittently able to catch the names broadcast and couldenlighten those who were anxious and perplexed. The atmosphereof uncertainty was heightened as, at intervals, frustrated patientssighed and returned to the lobby to seek assurance from the receptionistthat they had not been forgotten. After an hour, Lynne was finallyseen.

Two days later, it was Julie's turn to develop bouts of coughing precipitated by exercise. Julie attends a different practicein the town. Here, the waiting room was quiet, and her doctorcame out to greet her. She was seen a few minutes before her appointmenttime.

How could two surgeries in the same town offer such a different service? Perhaps it is not so surprising. Lynne is only human,after all, and Julie? She's a Labradorretriever.

David Jeffrey, Macmillan consultant in palliative medicine.

Cheltenham

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Law of supply and demand applies in NHS: Tim Heywood
BMJ 2001 323: 1370. [Extract] [Full Text]

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Heywood, T. (2001). Law of supply and demand applies in NHS. BMJ 323: 1370-1370 [Full text]

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