My GP's behaviour

BennytheBall

Recently I was off work sick, basic flu. Needed a sick cert for work.
Rang my GP, who i barely know. Over the phone I described my symptoms, and he said he would leave a sick cert at reception for me to collect, and that he would throw in a prescription just in case I needed it in later days.

When I collected both, I found out there was a 55 euro charge. (the same price as if I had seen him)... wasn't best pleased.

What do people think that
a) I was charged 55 quid essentially just to get a sick cert. (I never wanted the prescription anyway)
b) That a GP would prescribe without even examining a patient.

Are both common practice ?

scuby

well the Dr would probably look at it this way..

5 min phone call versus 5 min consult for a flu/cold that alot of people are suffering at the time, and he would be entitled to charge, for a professional service, the antibiotics he prescribed were probably the usual amoxocillian, (not sure of the spelling) and probably did you a favour by not having you come back again for the prescription and bill you again for that.......

but, i do feel your pain....:D

r3nu4l

Firstly, both colds and flu are caused by viruses.
Secondly if you had flu, caused by influenza virus, you would not be able to get out of bed to see the doctor. Most 'flu' is actually a very bad cold, nothing more.
Thirdly, if the doc prescribed you an antibiotic such as amoxycillin then he should be shot! Amoxycillin and all other penicillin derived medicines are anti-bacterial and will not treat a viral infection in any way, a strep throat yes, flu or cold, no!

There are many rasons for increased resistance to anti-bacterial agents and the number one reason is over-prescription by GP's :mad:
OP, can you describe what you were prescribed? If it was an antibiotic my advice would be to get a new GP as yours is clueless!

AnnaStezia

Sounds unsatisfactory.

What if you had some other symptoms that you genuinely forgot and that lead to the much feared missed diagnosis ?

Antibiotics for a virus ? Hmmm.

Social Welfare would be very amused if this was copped.

Firstly, anyone submitting a S.W. certificate can be called for a medical examination by S.W.. It might be interesting if it slipped out that you never actually saw the doctor who certified you.

Also, I think that a G.P. will get an additional fee (do not know how much) from Social Welfare for writing a certificate. His details and probably an identification/panel number are on the certificate. So, he will end up getting more than E55 for this remotely controlled consultation !!

hoggy87

r3nu4l wrote:

Firstly, both colds and flu are caused by viruses.
Secondly if you had flu, caused by influenza virus, you would not be able to get out of bed to see the doctor. Most 'flu' is actually a very bad cold, nothing more.
Thirdly, if the doc prescribed you an antibiotic such as amoxycillin then he should be shot! Amoxycillin and all other penicillin derived medicines are anti-bacterial and will not treat a viral infection in any way, a strep throat yes, flu or cold, no!

There are many rasons for increased resistance to anti-bacterial agents and the number one reason is over-prescription by GP's :mad:
OP, can you describe what you were prescribed? If it was an antibiotic my advice would be to get a new GP as yours is clueless!

Maybe he was so good at diagnosing over the phone that he realised the OP had an opportunistic bacterial infection resulting from her "'flu".