I’m An NHS Doctor. Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories Are Making Our Job Harder

[Northerner]

Through the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, I worked in acute adult medicine at the hospital front door and on the wards just like colleagues around the country who put their own health, and in some cases lives, on the line to keep the show on the road. In my 31 years as an NHS doctor, I have never witnessed anything as challenging and unaccustomed, as frightening for staff, or as distressing for their families.

We are professionals and looking after the sick is our job. We did it willingly and will do so again, mindful that key workers do remain safely employed unlike many across Britain. We were often embarrassed by all the clapping and food parcels – after all, we’d prefer adequate resources, staffing, access to Covid-19 testing, PPE and respectful treatment by the government than gestures.

We’d also prefer it if there weren’t people spreading hostile misinformation alleging that Covid-19 is a ‘scamdemic’ or global hoax that doesn’t make people sick or kill them.

I’m An NHS Doctor. Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories Are Making Our Job Harder

This is the most challenging or frightening crisis of my 31-year career. And hoaxmongers talking about a ‘plandemic’ and accusing doctors of murdering patients aren’t helping.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

 

[Docb]

Hi @Northerner. A good reminder to all and sundry that one.

Might I suggest that when you quote from a piece you make it a bit more obvious that you are quoting? I quickly picked up that was the case but newer members might have thought that it was you were the Doctor relating their experiences!

 

[Northerner]

Hi @Northerner. A good reminder to all and sundry that one.

Might I suggest that when you quote from a piece you make it a bit more obvious that you are quoting? I quickly picked up that was the case but newer members might have thought that it was you were the Doctor relating their experiences!

Good point, I ought to know better!

 

[Abi]

I'm hearing a lot of anti NHS rhetoric. There is a #defund the nhs movement.
The slogan should have been "protect the NHS to help you should you need it"
In all fairness things have not been helped by hospital staff dancing on tik tok, by some non clinical NHS employee recently ranting on about the importance of pronouns, and by some silly cow on social media stating that because she was "sitting on her backside" " doing nothing" at a call centre, that all NHS staff have been doing likewise ( should have been made to pay her wages back then IMHO)
I wonder what type of service the # defund the NHS movement want....
What has been happening has badly failed some people but I am sure this is not soley to be pointed at the NHS....

 

[trophywench]

Abi I sincerely trust your practice isn't like ours - you frequently have to redial the number up to 90 times to even get it to ring, because they are so busy. Then when you do eventually get through they tell you no triage apts available today, ring back tomorrow at 8.30. Pete has a problem with his arm; he isn't about to die from that, OTOH as he'd has his prostate cancer removed and then had radiotherapy to get rid of what they'd missed according to his PSA tests post op - who ruddy well knows? Or is it just old age? - needs someone who knows about elbows to have a good prod and manouevre of it to find out. We both know it ain't right to be in pain since August when resting it doesn't stop or reduce the pain - but exactly how much time is a very reasonable 72 yo NHS patient expected to spend ringing their GP constantly every ruddy day?

 

[Abi]

This is dreadful.
I think that covid has been the breaking point in a situation where services were barely functioning before.
Not enough staff- GPs, nurse practitoners,and others..
I suppose not a possibility to register elsewhere?
I would not want to be a patient in a practice like that let alone a member of staff- constantly "firefighting" and knowing people are not getting seen in a timely manner- if at all....

 

[Ditto]

None of our youngs ones believe in it. Met my cousin in town he charged up to me "Get your mask off, get your mask off" and then I got the lecture...luckily an even older ol' bid came out of Tesco with a loaded trolley and he went off to help her as he's got a heart of gold, he just thinks it's all a conspiracy as do my other young family members and even some of the older ones! Tell that to Kate Garraway!

 

[silentsquirrel]

This is dreadful.
I think that covid has been the breaking point in a situation where services were barely functioning before.
Not enough staff- GPs, nurse practitoners,and others..
I suppose not a possibility to register elsewhere?
I would not want to be a patient in a practice like that let alone a member of staff- constantly "firefighting" and knowing people are not getting seen in a timely manner- if at all....

Changing practice is increasingly a luxury available only to "city folk". When we moved to this area, market town c.20 000 pop + surrounding villages, there were 3 GP practices. Now there is just one massive one. Luckily I am reasonably satisfied with them most of the time, but if problems did arise changing practice just wouldn't be an option.

 

[grovesy]

Changing practice is increasingly a luxury available only to "city folk". When we moved to this area, market town c.20 000 pop + surrounding villages, there were 3 GP practices. Now there is just one massive one. Luckily I am reasonably satisfied with them most of the time, but if problems did arise changing practice just wouldn't be an option.

I techinical live in a city but many surgeries have merged here too, and the one nearest to me is with 2 other surgeries that are not on direct bus routes to the other 2, and patients are expected to go to any of the surgeries. This surgery also services disabled and care homes which are next to the this surgery. Many surgeries around here were not taking on new patients.
My surgery which is part of a 2 surgery practice are at least in neighbouring villages and have been linked for over 30 years, so although they are not quite as good as they were are not bad as some.

 

[VICTOR HILL]

Through the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, I worked in acute adult medicine at the hospital front door and on the wards just like colleagues around the country who put their own health, and in some cases lives, on the line to keep the show on the road. In my 31 years as an NHS doctor, I have never witnessed anything as challenging and unaccustomed, as frightening for staff, or as distressing for their families.

We are professionals and looking after the sick is our job. We did it willingly and will do so again, mindful that key workers do remain safely employed unlike many across Britain. We were often embarrassed by all the clapping and food parcels – after all, we’d prefer adequate resources, staffing, access to Covid-19 testing, PPE and respectful treatment by the government than gestures.

We’d also prefer it if there weren’t people spreading hostile misinformation alleging that Covid-19 is a ‘scamdemic’ or global hoax that doesn’t make people sick or kill them.

I’m An NHS Doctor. Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories Are Making Our Job Harder

This is the most challenging or frightening crisis of my 31-year career. And hoaxmongers talking about a ‘plandemic’ and accusing doctors of murdering patients aren’t helping.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

NORTHERNER GET THAT ARTICLE ON YUR LOCAL PAPER GREAT POINT S..VIC

 

[Lilian]

What surprised me was when I recently had eye examination at the hospital. I walked in (no temperature check or sanitizer), I had to go up in a lift pressing various buttons. I was told to sit and wait. Yes specific chairs were arranged in the main waiting area and only patients allowed. I was then called in, leaving it to me to use sanitiser on the wall. We all had to wear masks, although one doctor I saw wore his mask under his nose. I had my eyes photographed on two different machines, where my face was resting on both. They might have had them cleaned in between patients but I never saw this happen. It had been a bit confusing because someone phoned to give me the appointment then I received a text cancelling it saying it was by phone. I phoned to find out what was happening and was told I should come in and not to take any notice of the texts as they come out automatically. I asked what the procedure was, and how do they make sure people were not coming in with the virus. She said there was nothing in place they are just relying on patients not to come in if they have symptoms. But many have the virus before they get symptoms. However as the majority of the patients were all of an age it was highly unlikely that any would have it without symptoms. I am now wondering about the other appointments I have where I have received a text not to turn up but wait for a phone call. On the way back home we popped into our doctors surgery for the flu jab. Completely different set up. Nobody in the waiting room, someone waiting to take temperature and make sure we hand sanitized, and a one way system in and out. So it seems the doctors are taking it more seriously than the hospital - well the eye unit anyway. Mind you I did need a scan recently and they were quite strict there. No temperature taken but everything else was spot on.

 

[nonethewiser]

We’d also prefer it if there weren’t people spreading hostile misinformation alleging that Covid-19 is a ‘scamdemic’ or global hoax that doesn’t make people sick or kill them.

You can't fix stupid.