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Hospital doctor doing two jobs at the same time

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grandtanteJE65 Fri 02-Feb-24 13:13:50

Sounds to me as if you got the doctor who was on duty for incoming emergencies. Someone has to be, you know.

I admit it is distracting both for the patient and the doctor, but this is how hospitals and G.P. medical centres are forced to work.

You are fortunate indeed, if you have only experienced this once.

I'm not defending the system, just explaining.

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foxie48 Fri 02-Feb-24 13:11:06

That's highly unusual. Normally an "on call" shift is outside normal working hours and means the doctor is available to deal with any patient that needs a medical intervention, usually "in person". When consultants are on call they can do this from home provided they are within 30 minutes travel time, they should be available to give advice to a more junior doctor and able to go into the hospital if their experience is needed. My daughter regularly does "on call" shifts as part of her normal rota and would never be required to do this alongside a regular shift as they are generally extremely busy shifts.

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Mazgg Fri 02-Feb-24 12:49:21

I had an appointment yesterday with my rheumatology Consultant or a member of her team. I was seen by a member of the team who was also on call. He clearly hadn't read my case notes and didn't know anything about my condition or treatment. What should have been a short consultation to confirm ongoing treatment lasted over 45 minutes because of interruptions by his phone ringing 6 times and each call lasting several minutes. After each call he had to be prompted about where we were before the interruption. Eventually he asked the consultant to see me which she did briefly (clearly under pressure).
Prior to this my treatment when visiting the hospital was exemplary, and I felt confident that all angles were covered and everything explained clearly.
Hopefully I will receive a follow up letter (with a copy to my G.P) which will outline the plan for my future treatment.
I felt sorry for the team member who said he had thought he could do both jobs at the same time.
I'm not one to knock the NHS but this clearly isn't good for either staff or patients.

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