When she started as a general practitioner twenty years ago, about ten percent of her work consisted of red tape. “I now estimate that percentage at 30 percent, half of which is really unnecessary. We drown this way. I run into crazy things. Recently, a patient came by who had to receive a statement from the general practitioner from the municipality in order to be able to get a larger wheelie bin for the incontinence material.”
APA Arnhem Press Agency
The GPs will ‘strike’ on 1 July and at the Malieveld they will, among other things, draw attention to the work pressure experienced by GPs. In this week there are various actions, such as the set up swimming pool with the crocodiles for the practice in Oss. “We ran out of purple crocodiles, so we bought green ones and put them on purple shirts,” laughs Van Tiel.
Not only the bureaucracy is at the expense of time for the patient, says the GP. “Our employees receive dozens of phone calls every day from patients who are on the waiting list at the hospital, home care and mental health care. Because it is not their turn, they call the doctor again. Solve those waiting lists, so that we can spend the (telephone) time on other patients.”
To demand
The GPs demand:
- More time for the patient: Consultation from 10 to 15 minutes. Less time spent on administration.
- Approach waiting times in mental health and social domain.
- Less busy on Evening, Night and Weekend shifts. Only use the GP post in real emergencies.
- Sufficient and affordable practical housing.