We often tell people trying to get to see overworked "underpaid" busy GPs they should go to emergency as it is an emergency which we cannot help with. Over booked- lunch times booked up. Home time deferred in GP offices all over the place is very common and always has been unless we stand on our hands rubbing our heads on a full moon in may leap year only perhaps?[biggrin]
People we always send to Emergency- No bookings Abdominal pain later in the day- Appendix?? Broken bones(?) Friday afternoon. X-ray take time then if broken needs attention several hours after we have closed!
The "emergency" sniffles are very different to 'real breathing difficulties' Sore throats or a splinter are not emergency yet check at the really abusive records at most Medical places will find more than a few_ ITS AN EMERGENCY.
Not a new issue and really really frustrating for both sides of course. As said often Common Sense is 'Not' common.
Very intelligent people in pain or worried do it as well! Self entitled types are the worst. Sit in any busy emergency department for a few hours and your jaw would drop I bet!
We love Nurse On Call. They are very risk adverse and often tell people to see there GP. Some people take that as push in and demand to be seen in GP land or Hospital Emergency departments- 99% of that is at Public Emergency Departments[bigrolf] Bet you can all guess why!

