NHS registration
I’ve been proud of the NHS, especially since seeing the movie sicko. Though recently I’ve had some troubling experiences.
First a friend of mine had trouble seeing a doctor. She had to wait several hours to see one in London and has had registration issues.
Now I’ve never had problems seeing a doctor in Cornwall. Though since I’ve moved to Woking, I’ve noticed the rules have changed.
- I develop chest infection and I need some antibiotics to go over this
- Call up NHS helpline, they say I must go to the “walk in” community hospital
- I find time to go to the “walk in” community hospital. After an hour wait, I see a nurse who is able to prescribe the antibiotics. She then says I should see my local doctor
- I leave work early one day to go to the local surgery to register
- Receptionist says I must make an appointment to see the doctor and besides I now must have my passport and a utility bill in my name with my new address in Woking
- I don’t pay any utility bills (lucky me), though she said she’ll accept a bank statement which I had sent out especially for this (I usually look at my statement online)
- I attend the new appointment a few days later after
- Wait 30 minutes and then see the doctor
- Doctor asks if I have been registered in the UK before (yes). He then says he’ll accept me as a patient and then he asks me to fill in some forms.
- He says he can’t treat me until I’ve filled in the forms and registered. Registration takes about three working days.
- I fill in the forms. Why do have to say what race and religion I have?
- Made another appointment next week, by then I’ve hopefully been registered.
These events have happened over 3 weeks now. Nevermind the work hours I’ve lost. And still I have not properly seen a doctor.