I recently had a stabbing pain in my side which felt like a muscle tear. It was painful and didn't get any better with paracetamol etc. I couldn't lift things and walking was sore. I can't get to see my GP because you either have to ring on the morning and go in a queue or book an appointment a month in advance. So I went to the Primary Care Assessment Centre in Penrith instead.
The place was empty, no patients but I still had to wait 30 minutes. The cleaners and receptionists I met seemed to be just standing around with apparently no work to do. When I was seen by the nurse, it was hopeless. She couldn't do any tests said I had to get referred by GP and couldn't give me any painkillers, because she wasn't a prescriber. She suggested I go to the chemist and get some painkillers- well, I never would have thought of that.
What is the point of a service that no-one uses and that can't actually do any tests or give you any treatment? No wonder people just go to A & E- at least there are proper doctors there who are allowed to give people medicines and order tests.
"What is the point of this service?"
About: North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Carlisle CA2 7HY
Posted by Cumbria Tax Payer (as ),
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