[agent008t]

From my experience:

1. Hardly any way to see a GP outside work hours, so you have to take time off.

2. Cannot see a GP near to where you work, it has to be near to where you live. Which, combined with point 1, is a pain.

3. If you don't use the NHS and go see a private GP instead (which makes economic sense given how much your time off costs vs a private GP costs), you still have to pay for it.

4. Hard to get an appointment at short notice; registration is a pain and very inconvenient.

5. Unless you are dying, they are unlikely to offer any real help/proper tests, but then again that depends on individual GP and is probably not that different between NHS/private.

6. No personal accountability for your health. You end up paying for all the clowns that drink too much on a Friday night and end up in an ambulance and other people that do not take care of their health. Old people seem to go to a GP just because they are lonely.

I have not had to use NHS hospitals luckily, but I am guessing if you are not dying the wait times could be bad.

[albertgoeswoof]

But these are all great efficiencies. It’s a total waste of money to optimise gp locations for people that are well enough to go to work and can afford a private gp if they want it.

If you’re really sick you’ll be seen very quickly, and you’ll be extremely glad the doctors aren’t busy pandering to people with minor conditions.

[C1sc0cat]

That's what some one pointed out its the receptionists job to filter the worried well and prioritise those that need it more.

[meigwilym]

> From my experience:

> Old people seem to go to a GP just because they are lonely.

I somehow doubt the above.

[namdnay]

That's not inefficiency, it's quality. Anyone who has lived in France for example will tell you that the NHS isn't that good. However, it's very cheap. Hence the efficiency

[C1sc0cat]

So most people have sick pay to go the doctors