Could someone expect NHS Direct to have a condensed history of ones own medical records. How does it work?
2007-02-05 23:08:35 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Frank S I hope your not my GP you mentioned Scotland....Aberdeenshire I live.
2007-02-05 23:28:37 · update #1
Not at present in England and Wales. A system is in the process of being installed in out of hours software in Scotland. Unfortunately it is still currently quite limited and I have had quite a lot of trouble accessing it when I have worked for them. At the moment the main information it gives, and not for all patients is about medication only.
2007-02-05 23:15:46 · answer #1 · answered by Dr Frank 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They do not have a condensed history of your records and only give temporary advice to tie you over out of surgery hours. For something more permanent, you have to go to a doctor at the surgery which holds your records.
In emergencies out of hours, your surgery answer phone will give you the number of an organisation like "Doctors on call" but there are no guarantees that one will come out unless they deem it absolutely necessary and they also have no access to your medical history at the moment.
Basically you have to know your own medical history and explain what your problem is when you phone NHS Direct, if what you are phoning about is related to an existing condition. If it is not they give you general advice such as whether you should go to A. and E or call a doctor, or temporary measures to ease the problem. They cannot prescribe medicines: only a doctor can do that.
I hope this clarifies matters for you.
2007-02-05 23:16:44 · answer #2 · answered by WISE OWL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NHS direct give out advice according to your symptoms the same way a hospital does (The hospital doesn't have access to your records at the moment either.)
You tell them whats wrong and they give advice on how to treat it. They can give you their opinion on whether something is serious enough to warrant a hospital visit (or ambulance) or if it can wait for the docs, based on training and experience.
2007-02-05 23:20:34 · answer #3 · answered by Jen G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't have access to any ones records. They have nursing staff who ask you about the symptoms or problem. Depending on your answers they can then advise you. They cannot treat you, only suggest whether you should seek emergency treatment or see your doctor.
2007-02-05 23:18:04 · answer #4 · answered by Ilkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They know nothing about you. They ask questions and your answers dictate the next question, they continue through the set of questions till the computer in front of them tells them what to advise you.
2007-02-05 23:19:58 · answer #5 · answered by freebird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋