Whipps UCC...I spoke too soon!
Following my 5 star visit to Whipps Cross/Barts Urgent care centre last Bank Holiday, I had to return due to complications...the experience I had was so much different to the previous visit, and on par with those comments reported below. Once again I had to go through the pre-screening process in A&E, but this time I was 'patronsied' by a nurse screener who saw me simply as a) someone [thing?] that needed to be processed, and b) someone who could be patronised as surely they wouldn't have any understanding of how their body works [not the case]. Following this cursory 'inspection' I was assigned a GP phone consultation; since when has it been possible to look at signs/symptoms over a telephone? The GP phone conversation was no better with many 'If and buts' based upon the fact that the GP couldn't see the symptoms and so couldn't be sure; there appears to be a running theme here regarding effective health provision?, with the onus being place on the patient to take responsibility for any actions although they lack the medical training required, even with the suggestion that they "Look up on the internet and make a decision". Further due to my GP/health care centres location it was stated any tests would need to be done by another Trust and so they couldn't be offered here; since when has National [as in NHS] meant regional? Whilst I agree it is important for the individual to be responsible for their own health and take responsibility for any decisions that need to be taken, this needs to be supported with adequate information and guidance, in this case it was severely lacking. The only 'saving grace' in this process was the waiting time was short [I have scored this low so that the average grade is kept low], but for the assistance provided not visiting would have been as effective [the reason such an approach is now being taken by NHS Trusts?] but less inconvenient. If health care [and the taxation it depends on] is now based upon a simple five minute paperwork processing and a telephone consultation, then the sooner a reduction in NHS National Insurance contributions are made [and the onus of private medical insurance/care is put into the hands of the individual customer] the better...at least this way when poor service is received it won't be rewarded, and so ultimately will be purged from the system.