Apparently, I should have had an MOT – well, maybe…
Many people over 40 are not getting the routine heart health check they are entitled to, figures suggest.
Each year GPs in England should be offering health MOTs to 20% of their patients aged 40-74, but latest available data indicates only 14% of those eligible have had one.
It would seem that I and Mrs L are in the 80% then. Not that we are bothered by this. I suppose that over a period of time, they hope that we will all be covered – unless we don’t pop our clogs in the meantime, I guess.
I had reason to see my GP a couple of months back. She never mentioned this check – and I’m not sure it would be necessary anyway.
height, weight, age and blood pressure recorded
She did check my blood pressure, she always does and it was okay. The rest is already known anyway.
current medication, smoking habits and family history should be enquired about
I was there to discuss my medication so, that was covered. The rest was not touched upon. Nor should it have been as it wasn’t and isn’t relevant to any symptoms I might have.
blood cholesterol and possibly blood sugar measurement
Nor was this mentioned. As I am not exhibiting any symptoms related to blood sugar, it ain’t necessary. And cholesterol is the latest big baddie, so I tend to ignore that one, too.
Frankly, it’s a waste of money and resources. And as the PCTs are failing to meet the mandatory standard, despite having had three years to prepare, a waste of time, too. But then, the previous government always did like its target culture even if it was all bollocks.
Just 11% of patients in NHS Portsmouth turned up for their check.
Looks as if I’m not the only one underwhelmed by apathy at the prospect, then…
I see my quack once per year at most. She always mentions that I should have this done, and I truthfully explain that I will, when I have the time.
Unfortunately, removing the lint from my navel, putting it into little baggies, labelling it and carefully filing it away has greater priority.
They sent me a nice stool sample kit on my 50th birthday in Australia, and had it not been for the possible repercussions, I’d have sent them some from my brother’s dog. 😈
Last time I tried it was four years ago. Probably close to death now.
I had the NHS pooh-sticks game through the post too. They start at 50 in Scotland, but I believe you don’t get to play poke-the-turd in England until you’re 60.
I also get invitations to go and see the doctor for a ‘check up’ now and then. I’ll go there is I ever feel the need, but I’m not going to risk their in-house infections unless it’s absolutely necessary.
I think the French must start this malarkey at 50 too. We had them through the post a couple of years back when we were there. We were also nagged to have bird flu jabs. Didn’t bother. Still alive, apparently.
Haven’t seen my Canadian GP for around three years, and see no reason to. She’s far too busy with other people, poor girl, and I see no reason to add to her workload. In addition the Provincial Health care budget is stretched far too tight to allow all this target driven malarkey.
The NHS must have money to burn if it can afford all these tests. Even if hardly anybody turns up.
One wonders where all this money is coming from. Well, we don’t really, do we?
Our quack, QUITE ILLEGALLY MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY WIFE, WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT.
What does one DO about this arrogant nonsesne?
Don’t go?
“WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE” – How did she find out about it?
I’m going to assume; when they contacted her in some form to berate her in some way for not turning up ? Politely, perhaps.
I’ve noticed the language in the “invitations” alone to ramp up a step each time. Going from “we’d like to invite you” to “we notice you haven’t”. Saying in a roundabout and ever-so-polite way that “we’ve offered you something great over and over again and you keep ignoring us, you ungrateful bastard”.
Being of a certain age I’ve had letters inviting me for the MOT but never took up that invitation for one simple reason. It’s clearly not for my benefit it’s for theirs. Beware greeks bearing gifts and all that…
It all rather tries to imply implies that by filling out a form with some basic info…that any regular doctor of mine has anyway… they are definitely going to be able to pre-empt and treat any medical issues I may experience in the future.
All a bit vague, innit. Now, if they’d managed to successfully deal with any medical issues I have actually had in the past then I might have considered it.
It’s a bit like a garage saying “Well we couldn’t fix the brakes last week but tell us how big you car is and we might be able to paint it a colour you’ll like next year.”
Though at no point giving a guarantee or mentioning cost. 🙄
I’m not sure what to think about this. On the one hand, many health issues are more easily dealt with if you catch them early. On the other hand, there is an army of government funded busybodies just dying to tell you how to live your life for your own benefit. Many of these busybodies have a vested interest in persuading you that you have a problem, if you don’t have that problem, then they would be out of a job.
We are mortal, our lives have to end sometime. How much puritanical misery are you willing to endure to gain a few more years in a nursing home?
“We are mortal, our lives have to end sometime. How much puritanical misery are you willing to endure to gain a few more years in a nursing home?”
Exactly so. What’s the matter with these people? Do they want to live forever, dribbling from all orifices and being prodded around by care staff long after their marbles have gone walkies?