Free GP visit- can I ask another question?

Posy

Just looking for a doctor's perspective on this.
I have a smear test scheduled for early next week. I'll be getting it for free under the GP scheme which my doctor participates in. However tonight I also noticed that I have a new mole.. it just seems to appeared out of nowhere. That's never happened before! It's not misshapen or anything but a bit darker in the middle and I think I should get my doctor to have a look just to put my mind at rest.
Can I ask my GP about this during the smear appointment or should I see her separately about it? I'm not keen on spending €50 on her giving it a quick look and saying it seems grand or writing a referral letter when I'm already seeing her next week but I don't want her thinking 'cheeky cow, she's coming here on the pretence of a smear to get a free consultation.'

Does this make any sense? Any opinions appreciated.

RobFowl

Caderyn wrote: »

I don't want her thinking 'cheeky cow, she's coming here on the pretence of a smear to get a free consultation.'

Falls quite clearly into this catagory :rolleyes:
The free smear scheme pays the Doctor to do the smear and all the related follow up work. Nothing else.

Quiet Lurker

RobFowl wrote: »

Falls quite clearly into this catagory :rolleyes:
The free smear scheme pays the Doctor to do the smear and all the related follow up work. Nothing else.

Yes definitely, The scheme would collapse of every patient tried this on (and they do try!!). Make a seperate appointment for to have your mole seen. Its like a mother who makes one appointment and then demands to have 3 kids seen at same time. Its unfair on the doctor and on the other people waiting.

Svalbard

In any event, definitely get your mole seen to.

It continues to amaze me how much people complain about GP's fees and try to get around them.
The same people think nothing of paying much more to see a dentist or an orthodontist. Consultant fees are more than twice as expensive, are usually not any longer in duration, discussing unrelated issues will definately not be tolerated and investigations are often billed separately. The fees of physiotherapists, psychologists even plumbers and electricians are rarely questioned - sure people may grumble at parting with their cash, but believing you get nothing for nothing and satisfied they are availing of someones 'expertise' they hand it over no questions asked. People even give their hard earned bucks to faith healers, bio-energy healers and any array of quacks (many unbelievably expensive) without so much as a blink!

But when it comes to GP's fees, people seem to think they should not have to pay at all - the "sure I only wanted a sick-cert/prescription for antibiotics" mentality. Most GPs charge about E50 for a full consultation. For that you can discuss more than one issue (from relatively benign to very serious, be it about your physical health, mental health or social and family issues), have a physical exam, investigations, advice on health management, onward referral and a good GP will use the time for preventative measures beyond what the patient initially presents for.
You get the GPs time, expertise and backup - his/her duty of care to the patient does not end when the patient walks out the door nor is a petient ever 'discharged' as such.

A good GP is worth their weight in gold IMHO and should be valued as such.

Posy

Thanks for the replies. I'll make a separate appointment at a later date.

Svalbard wrote: »

It continues to amaze me how much people complain about GP's fees and try to get around them..

That's why I was asking- I've never had a GP visit without being charged before and didn't know the protocol- I'm not complaining about/trying to get around the fee.

AmcD

Fair play to for asking though. Most people would not be as considerate.

Svalbard

Caderyn wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I'll make a separate appointment at a later date. :)That's why I was asking- I've never had a GP visit without being charged before and didn't know the protocol- I'm not complaining about/trying to get around the fee.

My above post was not directed at you personally Caderyn. Its just a general grievance raised by this thread.

It was good you asked; in your particular circumstances I could see why you would be unsure. But basically if the GP does it for you, s/he has to do it for everyone.

Posy

Of course. It must be tough on GP's, especially the example of a mother bringing all her children during the one visit. :eek:
I don't at all mind the fee, esp. since there is the free pap test service and my doctor is good enough to provide it.

Thanks to all the medical people who post here by the way. It's appreciated.