I try not to feel angry, but a few weeks ago in A&E I was sitting with my 6-month-old daughter quite angry. She had awoken early in the morning upset with a temperature and discharge from her ear. I had been unable to get an appointment with either my GP or a MIAMI clinic. What should have been a 10-minute GP slot was instead a 3-hour wait in A&E.
Fast forward a few days and I woke up in an uncomfortable sweat, not unusual for our heatwave but with the added discomfort of a throbbing painful ear. As the pain increased I realised I may need antibiotics. At this point I would (again) have thought of the race to get a GP appointment except I was on holiday in Catalonia, Spain.
A quick change of the day’s plan and I was being seen at a local health centre with my daughter in tow, for me this time. I handed over my European health insurance card (EHIC) and was triaged, seen by the doctor, and given a prescription within an hour and a half. I used my limited Spanish to get directions to the pharmacy, receiving a week’s course of amoxicillin and 60 paracetamol for around €5 (£4.50).
I thought about my trip when I got home. ‘The contrast in the time difference to see a doctor in the two units was significant, likely reflecting their workload. How much would I have paid for the medication at home? At least double the price. Is it even possible in the UK to prescribe 60 paracetamol? But most importantly what care if any would my EHIC entitle me to next year? I’m thinking perhaps we’ll have a staycation, I’ve heard Center Parcs is great for kids.
- © British Journal of General Practice 2018