"It's not my job" mentality? Or just following procedures?

66Mustang

Hopefully this won’t get people arguing too fiercely but I wanted to get different points of view because I obviously have my own views on this but like to always try to consider all sides so would be interested to hear what people think

Someone who works for a health clinic told us about something that recently happened

A patient who was in for a pre-booked routine appointment collapsed during their appointment which was not expected or part of the procedure and was outside of the staff’s area of expertise. They were about to call for an ambulance however there is a GP clinic (not a private one, in case that’s relevant) in a building opposite so one of the members of staff ran across the road. They asked if there was maybe anyone available who was able to lend any assistance with a member of the public who had just collapsed

The reply:

“Only if they’re one of our registered patients”

What are people’s thoughts?

66Mustang

Maybe that's right @woodbine

I don't know about doctors but police officers (used to at least) have to swear some kind of promise that they are never truly off-duty so if they come across something while not working they have to help

I wonder if there is something similar for doctors, like they will not deny anyone if they are able to do something, I know there is the Hippocratic oath but not sure what that involves

rubin16

Sounds more like a receptionist to me, I remember a few years ago (like 7 years ago) I had an accident and badly cut my arm falling off a bike. I went to the nearest doctors practice and even though I wasn't registered there they helped me and cleaned the wound and dressed it for me straight away. I do know though that they only really get paid/funding for registered patients so thats proberley why they prompted that response.

I think it depends really on the staff, practice and other things as generally doctors become doctors to help people not just for the money, so I think if they asked a doctor themself they would get help. Whereby receptionists or practice managers are more ruled based and money consious.

WelshBlue

Shocking. 

On the flip side my friend came off his motorbike on Sunday morning.  Broken fibula and tibula.  The first people on scene, one was an off duty nurse - phoned 999 - 5 hour wait for the ambulance, so her and her husband went back the 50 miles they'd come from to take him to A & E.  And wouldn't take a penny for fuel.  There are good people out there.

My daughter works with someone who drives a rapid response car as a Paramedic.  They've just been suspended after going to a job where the patient needed urgent care ... their crime ... taking the patient to hospital in the car because the wait for an ambulance was 12 hours

WelshBlue

This has reminded me of something that happened last year.

My daughter and crew mate were called to a stroke victim and did everything they could to stabilise him and get him to hospital in time for the clot busting injection, only for the nurse to say, you'll have to wait to be seen, I'm going on my break 

They're now witnesses in his claim against the health board, after he was left with life altering disabilities

I'd get banned if I used the words my daughter has said about it ...