Do You Think Doctors Are Worth Their Fees?

Big Nasty

The lawyer thread kicked this one off for me. Went to a doctor about 6 weeks ago due to a mild sort of dermatitis / exscema or whatever. Prescribed me some cream and charged me €55 - fair enough.

The cream worked maybe 90% but the problem didn't disappear completely so I called the docs office and explained and asked for a prescription for more cream. The doc called me back and said I would have to come in and he would try another cream. Cool, I said, and went in after work. He had another quick gawk, less than 5 mins, and prescribed another cream saying to call him if this one didn't clear it up completely. I was sitting in the waiting room for longer than the time he examined me but he still charged me another €40! :eek:

IMO the most he should have charged me was €10 for the new prescription. I understand he probably spent seven years in college in order to practice his profession but is 5 mins consultation worth €40, i.e. €8 per minute!?!

Danbo!

dermatitis/exscema? Yah, sure....

alwaysadub

No,i think they are way over priced.
My doc is 60euro a visit-i've often only been in there less than 5minutes.
I was pretty sick a couple of years back and was at the doc every week-cost me a small fortune :mad:

Zwillinge

That's terrible :mad:

That happened to a guy I know, he got his regular asthma prescription, went to the chemist, but the pharmacists knew his prescription, he got the wrong one. Fair enough, he went back and the doctor ased for another €40 - €50, well he flipped at her and told her where she could F off too

Doctors are worth giong to but having to pay €60 to see one is a bit extreme :mad: And usually it's just for some antibiotics, that I don't need to be examined for!!

The_Minister

Keep in mind that a GP's overhead can come to more than half of the fee.

robinph

You should not have to pay to see a GP at the point of contact.

Tax me for it or whatever, but taking cash off me when I'm in need of help is just plain wrong.

Tails142

yeah they're an absolute joke - would put you off going to the doctors in the first place.


Everyone should apply for a medical card, if you are over the threshold you can still be entitled to a GP card which would be seriously worth it

Big Nasty

I don't mind paying €50+ for a consultation but to go back coz the cream he gave ya in the first place didn't work and charge ya another €40 for the privilage is just taking the piss IMO.

redout

Doctors are rip-off merchants tbh.

I had a consult with a doctor (not a GP) before Xmas.

Lasted all but 3mins and was charged €100

Completely fcukin stunned!


EDIT: Just to add that there was 6 other people in the waiting room going in to see him after me. He must have had €700 in about 30mins

IvySlayer

Zwillinge wrote: »

That's terrible :mad:

That happened to a guy I know, he got his regular asthma prescription, went to the chemist, but the pharmacists knew his prescription, he got the wrong one. Fair enough, he went back and the doctor ased for another €40 - €50, well he flipped at her and told her where she could F off too

Doctors are worth giong to but having to pay €60 to see one is a bit extreme :mad: And usually it's just for some antibiotics, that I don't need to be examined for!!

Does his doctors office not have a prescription form? You fill them out for like a tenner and you get a prescription the next day

Bolag_the_2nd

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I don't mind paying €50+ for a consultation but to go back coz the cream he gave ya in the first place didn't work and charge ya another €40 for the privilage is just taking the piss IMO.

as in give a sample? :rolleyes:

Big Nasty

Bolag_the_2nd wrote: »

as in give a sample? :rolleyes:

Well done Bolag! :cool:

Zwillinge

IvySlayer wrote: »

Does his doctors office not have a prescription form? You fill them out for like a tenner and you get a prescription the next day

I'm not entirely sure what this is
Though it sounds handy!

Either way, he's not welcome back to that doctors office

Thoie

IvySlayer wrote: »

Does his doctors office not have a prescription form? You fill them out for like a tenner and you get a prescription the next day

I haven't heard of that one, but my doctor doesn't have a full time secretary.

People will be thrilled to learn that I went to my doctor a few weeks ago for a standard check-up, got a repeat prescription, paid him.

Only a week later I came down with a chest infection (completely unrelated to the previous visit) and had to go back. I jokingly said I'd hoped not to see him for another few months. He examined me, confirmed an infection, and gave me a prescription for some antibiotics. When I took out my handbag to pay him at the end, he said "let's just call it a follow up from last week" and only charged me half price, which was very nice of him.

Zwillinge, while 99% of the time you might be able to self-diagnose and be right, I feel the €60 is for the 1% of the time when you're wrong

neil_18_

My doc charges me €55 for a monthly injection that takes 30seconds...

Luckily i get it for free in college now:cool:

IvySlayer

Zwillinge wrote: »

I'm not entirely sure what this is
Though it sounds handy!

Either way, he's not welcome back to that doctors office

Thoie wrote: »

I haven't heard of that one, but my doctor doesn't have a full time secretary.

People will be thrilled to learn that I went to my doctor a few weeks ago for a standard check-up, got a repeat prescription, paid him.

Only a week later I came down with a chest infection (completely unrelated to the previous visit) and had to go back. I jokingly said I'd hoped not to see him for another few months. He examined me, confirmed an infection, and gave me a prescription for some antibiotics. When I took out my handbag to pay him at the end, he said "let's just call it a follow up from last week" and only charged me half price, which was very nice of him.

Zwillinge, while 99% of the time you might be able to self-diagnose and be right, I feel the €60 is for the 1% of the time when you're wrong

I have asthma too. Every 6 months I need a new Ventolin prescription. Instead of making an appointment to see the doctor, I fill out a prescription form. I pay 10 euro to the secretary and I come back the next day and she gives me a fresh new prescription signed by my doctor.

I thought it was everywhere

Bolag_the_2nd

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Well done Bolag! :cool:

bet you smiled just a little sending you hugs and happy thaughts MCML, im sorry

ejmaztec

MCMLXXV wrote: »

The lawyer thread kicked this one off for me. Went to a doctor about 6 weeks ago due to a mild sort of dermatitis / exscema or whatever. Prescribed me some cream and charged me €55 - fair enough.

The cream worked maybe 90% but the problem didn't disappear completely so I called the docs office and explained and asked for a prescription for more cream. The doc called me back and said I would have to come in and he would try another cream. Cool, I said, and went in after work. He had another quick gawk, less than 5 mins, and prescribed another cream saying to call him if this one didn't clear it up completely. I was sitting in the waiting room for longer than the time he examined me but he still charged me another €40! :eek:

IMO the most he should have charged me was €10 for the new prescription. I understand he probably spent seven years in college in order to practice his profession but is 5 mins consultation worth €40, i.e. €8 per minute!?!

Before you went to the quack, you should have visited your local pharmacist, waved your disease-ridden hands at him, and asked him what he could sell you cheap over the counter to fix the problem.

alwaysadub

IvySlayer wrote: »

I have asthma too. Every 6 months I need a new Ventolin prescription. Instead of making an appointment to see the doctor, I fill out a prescription form. I pay 10 euro to the secretary and I come back the next day and she gives me a fresh new prescription signed by my doctor.

I thought it was everywhere

Not any more-my uncle has a repeat prescription. My aunt rang the secretary the other week asking to fill out a new one and he'd pick it up. She was told he had to make an appointment and got charged 50odd euro for the pleasure.
My own doctors-i've one in Galway and one in Dublin-don't do it either

Thoie

IvySlayer wrote: »

I have asthma too. Every 6 months I need a new Ventolin prescription. Instead of making an appointment to see the doctor, I fill out a prescription form. I pay 10 euro to the secretary and I come back the next day and she gives me a fresh new prescription signed by my doctor.

I thought it was everywhere

I think you just have a nice/clued in doctor Do you not need vaguely regular check-ups or something to ensure that the prescription is still right for you? (I don't know much about asthma, so maybe that's a dumb question).

InKonspikuou2

I've had a bad run in with medical fees lately. Went to the doctor with a rash and pains in my stomach and he said it looked like something called pityriasis rosea. Gave me a prescription for some steroid cream and off i went. The cream burned like hell and made the rash worse. So i went back to him to explain and also wanted to see a dermatologist. Never told me how long they take until i got a letter a few days later. 5 months waiting list to see one in the Matter. Decided i would go private. But oh no you can't just do that. I need a referral from a doctor. So i went back down to ask for one and got charged full price. So this is 210 i have spent before getting anywhere. 50 a pop to see the doc and 60 for the useless cream. I looked on the net and pityriasis is harmless and goes away itself. It is not treated with anything. I wasn't convinced i had that so i still want to see a derm.

Go to the derm and get charged 180 for around 7 minutes. Only to be told it's not pityriasis and is most likely an allergic reaction to something. Have to pay 25 for the blood test and 35 for a histology. Need to go back in 7 days for the results. Again i have to pay for the derm. This time it's 90 and i find out i have celiacs disease. The rash was an allergy to gluten. So i had to spend 540 to find out that. The derm told me the doc should have asked if wanted a blood test in office or sent me to the Matter. If he had of done that it would have only cost me 65 at most. I'm pissed off about high fees as it is. But when it's to incompetent doctors it's a fúcking joke. I'm off Friday so i'm going to try get some of this money back somehow. Probably pointless trying though.

IvySlayer

Thoie wrote: »

I think you just have a nice/clued in doctor Do you not need vaguely regular check-ups or something to ensure that the prescription is still right for you? (I don't know much about asthma, so maybe that's a dumb question).

The doctor wouldn't give me something unless I needed it

sesna

InKonspikuou2 wrote: »

I've had a bad run in with medical fees lately. Went to the doctor with a rash and pains in my stomach and he said it looked like something called pityriasis rosea. Gave me a prescription for some steroid cream and off i went. The cream burned like hell and made the rash worse. So i went back to him to explain and also wanted to see a dermatologist. Never told me how long they take until i got a letter a few days later. 5 months waiting list to see one in the Matter. Decided i would go private. But oh no you can't just do that. I need a referral from a doctor. So i went back down to ask for one and got charged full price. So this is 210 i have spent before getting anywhere. 50 a pop to see the doc and 60 for the useless cream. I looked on the net and pityriasis is harmless and goes away itself. It is not treated with anything. I wasn't convinced i had that so i still want to see a derm.

Go to the derm and get charged 180 for around 7 minutes. Only to be told it's not pityriasis and is most likely an allergic reaction to something. Have to pay 25 for the blood test and 35 for a histology. Need to go back in 7 days for the results. Again i have to pay for the derm. This time it's 90 and i find out i have celiacs disease. The rash was an allergy to gluten. So i had to spend 540 to find out that. The derm told me the doc should have asked if wanted a blood test in office or sent me to the Matter. If he had of done that it would have only cost me 65 at most. I'm pissed off about high fees as it is. But when it's to incompetent doctors it's a fúcking joke. I'm off Friday so i'm going to try get some of this money back somehow. Probably pointless trying though.

Money well spent, you now have a diagnosis of a lifelong dietary intolerance thanks to an expert who has spent +15 years post-graduate study in his/her field. You were paying them for their expertise and time spent in obtaining their qualification, and not merely time spent with them.

I dont see how your GP is realistically supposed to send a blood sample (the cost of which you already complained about) and test for every possible virus/bacteria/inflammatory marker that may have caused a skin rash. Generally they will treat most probable cause because of cost implication (for you) of full scope of tests/examinations.

Perhaps you should try homeopathy if you have such little faith in allopathic medicine

xOxSinéadxOx

I don't care cos I have a GP visit card:)

robinph

sesna wrote: »

Money well spent, you now have a diagnosis of a lifelong dietary intolerance thanks to an expert who has spent +15 years post-graduate study in his/her field. You were paying them for their expertise and time spent in obtaining their qualification, and not merely time spent with them.

I dont see how your GP is supposed to send a blood sample (the cost of which you already complained about) and test for every possible virus/bacteria/inflammatory marker that might have caused a skin rash. Generally they will treat most probable cause because of cost implication (for you) of full scope of tests/examinations.

Perhaps you should try homeopathy if you have so little faith in allopathic medicine

I added that up as 210 wasted with the GP and then a duplicate visit with the derm(?) as well. Idealy should have been a trip to the GP and he goes "I dunno, heres a referal to the derm guy", who then does the blood test and gives the answer. Looked to be a lot of going round in circles unnessecarily to me.

But my feelings on it all is that you should never have to pay to see a GP anyway, they should be paid out of the PRSI money and not take cash directly from patients. Once you get moved up the chain I've less of an issue with money changing hands, but should definately not be at the first point of contact with the GP.

SugarHigh

Thoie wrote: »

I haven't heard of that one, but my doctor doesn't have a full time secretary.

People will be thrilled to learn that I went to my doctor a few weeks ago for a standard check-up, got a repeat prescription, paid him.

Only a week later I came down with a chest infection (completely unrelated to the previous visit) and had to go back. I jokingly said I'd hoped not to see him for another few months. He examined me, confirmed an infection, and gave me a prescription for some antibiotics. When I took out my handbag to pay him at the end, he said "let's just call it a follow up from last week" and only charged me half price, which was very nice of him.

Zwillinge, while 99% of the time you might be able to self-diagnose and be right, I feel the €60 is for the 1% of the time when you're wrong

I think it's the other way around.:D

People spend 5mins reading about a disease on wikipedia and then convince themselves they have it.:rolleyes:

SugarHigh

I genuinly don't think they are overpriced considering the importance of the job they're doing and how over worked they can be.

28064212

robinph wrote: »

You should not have to pay to see a GP at the point of contact.

Tax me for it or whatever, but taking cash off me when I'm in need of help is just plain wrong.

Tails142 wrote: »

yeah they're an absolute joke - would put you off going to the doctors in the first place.

Bring that in and enjoy your 3 month waiting list to get an initial consult. The fact that the fees are €50+ is the only thing stopping the flood of "ah me back's acting up a bit" and "my pee is a bit yellower than yesterday", not to mention the auld ones who come in for no other reason than a bit of complaining.

galwayrush

28064212 wrote: »

Bring that in and enjoy your 3 month waiting list to get an initial consult. The fact that the fees are €50+ is the only thing stopping the flood of "ah me back's acting up a bit" and "my pee is a bit yellower than yesterday", not to mention the auld ones who come in for no other reason than a bit of complaining.

That's what medical cards are for.:rolleyes:

sesna

robinph wrote: »

But my feelings on it all is that you should never have to pay to see a GP anyway, they should be paid out of the PRSI money and not take cash directly from patients. Once you get moved up the chain I've less of an issue with money changing hands, but should definately not be at the first point of contact with the GP.

There is already a huge shortage of GP's in the country, and they are under huge pressure as it is trying to deal with their current list of patients.

If GP was free, every neurotic mother who had a child with a runny nose would be running off to the surgery with poor little Tommy to check he was okay.

Medical card holders visit their GP on average 6 times more per year than private patients but yet private patients dont have a higher mortality rate due to inadequate access to medical care.

It is estimated that unnecessary visits to GP's in the UK costs the NHS 380 millions pounds each year , and 96 million visits per year could easily be treated with simple over the counter remedies.

PhysiologyRocks

Yes, I think doctors are worth their fees.

My health is priceless to me.

robinph

28064212 wrote: »

Bring that in and enjoy your 3 month waiting list to get an initial consult. The fact that the fees are €50+ is the only thing stopping the flood of "ah me back's acting up a bit" and "my pee is a bit yellower than yesterday", not to mention the auld ones who come in for no other reason than a bit of complaining.

Not at all. Only ever had to wait a day, or maybe two if they were really busy, at most for an appointment with a GP in the UK. If there is something wrong with you then you'd get seen before the three days when you'd be needing the doctors note to get you off work.

I've no problem with them being paid that rate, I do have a problem with them actually taking the money directly from my pocket themselves.

SugarHigh

PhysiologyRocks wrote: »

Yes, I think doctors are worth their fees.

My health is priceless to me.

Exactly. Complaining about prices to see a doctor when you probably spend more on a night out to slowly kill your liver is hilarious though.

therokerroar

No chance.

I've often been in agony, but couldn't justify spending that much money for two minutes consultation.

I'd rather put up with the pain to be honest.

therokerroar

sesna wrote: »

Money well spent, you now have a diagnosis of a lifelong dietary intolerance thanks to an expert who has spent +15 years post-graduate study in his/her field. You were paying them for their expertise and time spent in obtaining their qualification, and not merely time spent with them.

I dont see how your GP is realistically supposed to send a blood sample (the cost of which you already complained about) and test for every possible virus/bacteria/inflammatory marker that may have caused a skin rash. Generally they will treat most probable cause because of cost implication (for you) of full scope of tests/examinations.

Perhaps you should try homeopathy if you have such little faith in allopathic medicine

Alright Doc?

sesna

therokerroar wrote: »

Alright Doc?

No

robinph

Making GP's free at the point of service would possibly mean a slight delay in you getting to see them, by a day maybe. But, you will get to se them, and as there is no disincentive to the patient to actually going to see the GP any condition is likely to be diagnosed sooner. Having to pay money out of your pocket on the day, rather than via taxes, will put people off seeing the GP, they then wait longer, and longer before going along to see them, whatever is wrong with them gets worse until they cannot actually live with it anymore.

Then it costs even more money to get that person back to full health again if possible, the state paing either directly for that healthcare but it is also loosing out as that is then a worker out of action for longer than was nessecary.

Free GP's will improve the overall heath of the country by making it easier for people to go and see them and get treated sooner.

bigeasyeah

No.

super_furry

€60 for a three minute consultation to tell me when I have a chest infection when I already knew that and only went so I could get him to write a prescription to clear it up?

No, I don't think doctors are worth their fee.

There's been many a time when I probably should have gone to the doctor but couldn't afford the €80 to €100 it would cost for a visit and medicines.

sesna

robinph wrote: »

Free GP's will improve the overall heath of the country by making it easier for people to go and see them and get treated sooner.

The state has proven itself to be completely incapable of running an efficient health service. The HSE and Mary Harney are an absolute disaster.

I don't want them to start meddling in the running of primary healthcare in this country also, something that is just about running okay as it is.

I dont think there is a serious case of people delaying medical treatment. If its something minor, they might try a few over the counter creams for example. If still no improvement, they fork out 50 euro for GP. If its really serious, they go straight to A&E and wait 15 hours to be even assessed by a nurse (because of the HSE).

sesna

super_furry wrote: »

€60 for a three minute consultation to tell me when I have a chest infection when I already knew that and only went so I could get him to write a prescription to clear it up?

A system is needed that doesn't allow aimless self-diagnosis and self-treatment with antibiotics. There are many other respiratory conditions/carcinomas that cause the signs and symptoms of a chest infection. Im sure you'd be more than happy to pay your plumber 100 euro though to install a new dishwasher.

My name is URL

They charge what they know the majority of people are able to pay.. it's a sad fact that there are people out there that fall above the line that entitles them to a Medical Card and below the line that allows them to visit a doctor in a timely fashion when they need to

They should charge on a sliding scale imho, but it'll never happen because those 'able' to visit the doc as much as they like would end up not visiting nearly as much

PrettyBoy

No, I don't.

I will not go to a doctor unless I absolutely have to. A few months ago I woke up with an absolutely brutal pain in my lower back so I went to to the VHI clinic in Dundrum. The doctor glanced at my back and told me it was more than likely a pulled muscle and to take some painkillers. I was in and out in four minutes, total cost: €115.

Turned out it was bit more serious than a pulled muscle. Had to spend another €200+ in the following weeks on a physiotherapist. He recommended that I keep coming back for the next several months but I forgot to water my money tree so now I'm on the painkillers :pac:

sesna

PrettyBoy wrote: »

No, I don't.

I will not go to a doctor unless I absolutely have to. A few months ago I woke up with an absolutely brutal pain in my lower back so I went to to the VHI clinic in Dundrum. The doctor glanced at my back and told me it was more than likely a pulled muscle and to take some painkillers. I was in and out in four minutes, total cost: €115.

You could have just waited to see your regular GP or gone to A&E in a public hospital. What did you expect going to a private clinic? Im sure the painkillers were effective and probably reduced inflammation, even if it was something other than muscular pain.

InKonspikuou2

sesna wrote: »

Money well spent, you now have a diagnosis of a lifelong dietary intolerance thanks to an expert who has spent +15 years post-graduate study in his/her field. You were paying them for their expertise and time spent in obtaining their qualification, and not merely time spent with them.

I dont see how your GP is realistically supposed to send a blood sample (the cost of which you already complained about) and test for every possible virus/bacteria/inflammatory marker that may have caused a skin rash. Generally they will treat most probable cause because of cost implication (for you) of full scope of tests/examinations.

Perhaps you should try homeopathy if you have such little faith in allopathic medicine

I went to the doctor and he gave me a cream. I go to dermatologist and she manages to find out something not related to her field. I showed them both the rash and told them both about the abdominal pains, fatigue and cramping in my hands. All symptoms that warrant more than a fúcking cream. The doctor suspects a skin disease. For which none of the above other than the rash are symptoms. The derm thought maybe IBS, CFS or an allergy. So she tested for autoantibodies and she was right. Thanks to her i found a diagnosis. Thanks to the doctor i had to spend 500 euro to find out. If he had of being competent enough to suspect something more than a rash given the other symptoms i would have spent 65 max. So what's your problem with my complaint? I went to the doctor 3 times and nothing more than a cream. I come from a 3rd world country and even there i would have been sent for a blood test at least. That's 210 euro on him and his actions were no benefit to me. So what am i paying him for? I was even the one who had to ask to go to a derm. He was letting me leave the room without even suggesting it. I think i am valid in my complaint. Money isn't the overall issue. It's the means in how it had to be spent. If it took a doctor 3 times to make a diagnosis because symptoms were similar to other diseases i'd happily pay for each visit. But this guy didn't even make the effort. That's what pisses me off.

whatdoicare

My Doctor charged me 70 Euro to ask me what inhalers I use (the same inhalers I've used for the last 20 years and same doctor for last 18 years, btw) I only wanted the stupid inhalers as a just in case when I went on holidays!

He spent a good 10 minutes telling me about his holiday home - didn't check my blood pressure, didn't listen to my chest, just on and on about his holiday home then BHAM "So, um, what inhalers do you use?" I just scowled at him and forced him to go look it up. 70 Euros for a piece of paper for two inhalers which cost 14 euros. Stupid.

My Dad went in once about a ringing in his ear- same doctor told him it was tinnitus (sp?) and could do nothing for him. When he tried to charge him 70 Euros for it, my Dad came back with "You didn't do anything! If I took my car to a garage and the mechanic did nothing, he couldn't charge me! Flip off!" and casually strolled out the door! :cool:

PrettyBoy

sesna wrote: »

You could have just waited to see your regular GP or gone to A&E in a public hospital. What did you expect going to a private clinic? Im sure the painkillers were effective and probably reduced inflammation, even if it was something other than muscular pain.

It was relatively late and I was nearly crying from the pain. No GP would have been open. I thought there was something seriously wrong and I couldn't wait another 3-4 hours in a public hospital. I don't mind paying over the odds in a private clinic because I was seen to straight away but I was just annoyed that the doctor that saw me didn't seem bothered, said it was "probably" a pulled muscle and just told me to get some basic painkillers.

The physiotherapist I saw was good but there is no way I can afford to see him a couple of times a month at €60 per 30 minute session.

Still, even if I went to a GP he would have just referred me to a physiotherapist and expected €60 in return for this.

sesna

InKonspikuou2 wrote: »

I went to the doctor and he gave me a cream. I go to dermatologist and she manages to find out something not related to her field. I showed them both the rash and told them both about the abdominal pains, fatigue and cramping in my hands. All symptoms that warrant more than a fúcking cream. The doctor suspects a skin disease. For which none of the above other than the rash are symptoms. The derm thought maybe IBS, CFS or an allergy. So she tested for autoantibodies and she was right. Thanks to her i found a diagnosis. Thanks to the doctor i had to spend 500 euro to find out. If he had of being competent enough to suspect something more than a rash given the other symptoms i would have spent 65 max. So what's your problem with my complaint? I went to the doctor 3 times and nothing more than a cream. I come from a 3rd world country and even there i would have been sent for a blood test at least. That's 210 euro on him and his actions were no benefit to me. So what am i paying him for? I was even the one who had to ask to go to a derm. He was letting me leave the room without even suggesting it. I think i am valid in my complaint. Money isn't the overall issue. It's the means in how it had to be spent. If it took a doctor 3 times to make a diagnosis because symptoms were similar to other diseases i'd happily pay for each visit. But this guy didn't even make the effort. That's what pisses me off.

You have to pay for an inital GP consultation in this country to get referral to a consultant. And you would have had to pay for consultant fees in any case also. In your case, money well spent, as you were successfully diagnosed and can now modify your diet.

Bear in mind that treatment with the cream eliminated the possibility of many common skin conditions causing your rash, a course of treatment the dermatologist may well have proceeded with if the GP had not initially done so.

It is possible to have other unrelated symptoms in conjunction with a skin rash. Coeliac disease is commonly initially misdiagnosed as other conditions.

Since fees are your primary complaint, Im sure everything is cheaper your third world country - cars, houses, food. Yet you choose to live here for some strange reason.

For every anecdote of a doctors prescription/advice failing to ameliorate a particular condition, there are 100 successful interventions. Of course, we cant successuly whinge and moan about these.

IvySlayer

whatdoicare wrote: »

My Doctor charged me 70 Euro to ask me what inhalers I use (the same inhalers I've used for the last 20 years and same doctor for last 18 years, btw) I only wanted the stupid inhalers as a just in case when I went on holidays!

He spent a good 10 minutes telling me about his holiday home - didn't check my blood pressure, didn't listen to my chest, just on and on about his holiday home then BHAM "So, um, what inhalers do you use?" I just scowled at him and forced him to go look it up. 70 Euros for a piece of paper for two inhalers which cost 14 euros. Stupid.

My Dad went in once about a ringing in his ear- same doctor told him it was tinnitus (sp?) and could do nothing for him. When he tried to charge him 70 Euros for it, my Dad came back with "You didn't do anything! If I took my car to a garage and the mechanic did nothing, he couldn't charge me! Flip off!" and casually strolled out the door! :cool:

Just so you know, Ventolin (if you have asthma) is over the counter in Spain/Portugal/Australia/Greece.

sesna

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Still, even if I went to a GP he would have just referred me to a physiotherapist and expected €60 in return for this.

You dont need to be referred to a physiotherapist. You can make a direct appointment.

super_furry

sesna wrote: »

For every anecdote of a doctors prescription/advice failing to ameliorate a particular condition, there are 100 successful interventions. Of course, we cant successuly whinge and moan about these.

I don't think that's the issue at hand here, it's the extortionate fees that doctors charge. The €50 to €70 for a five minute consoltation. It's the fact that people like me often can't afford to see a doctor when we're ill.