Healthcare professionals often complain about people using NHS services for the wrong reasons or at the wrong time.
It’s an issue that’s repeatedly come to light in submissions from frontline healthcare professionals. GPs talk of patients asking for new pairs of shoes; paramedics claim that most of the patients they take into hospital don’t need to be there; 999 call takers complain of people calling to tell them their dog is unwell; and A&E nurses and doctors tell stories of people claiming the antibiotics they were given five hours ago are not working.
A lack of communication, education and the sometimes poor availability of services can lead to patients being unsure of who they should turn to. Meanwhile, there’s a parallel problem of patients not attending scheduled appointments.
As pressure continues to mount on health and social care services, we want to hear about those times when you know you’re not the most appropriate professional to be treating the patient in front of you. Please fill in our form below. A selection will be used in our reporting. You may remain anonymous, if you wish.
