My father-in law was seriously ill but refused to attend hospital. The on- call doctor suggested he needed an ambulance to hospital-GP didn't visit as it was evident from the description of the patient's condition that he needed urgent hospital assessment.
The family could not lift the patient or get him to the toilet. The only person that would get him to agree to go into hospital was his own GP. At 8.am the GP arrived at surgery to prepare for his morning patients. I rang the practice at 8.05 explained the situation and the GP immediately left the surgery to spend 5 minutes with his patient managing to return starting his surgey on time.
This 10 minute visit meant the patient went to hospital and subsequently to the hospice (GP arranged same day) and died peacfully with his family around in a comfortable place.
The A/E doctor (an elderly man) was extremly sensitive and recognised the seriousness of the patient's condition. He ensured the patient did not received unneccesary invasive treatment.
"A GP's dedication to his patient"
About: Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT Wigan WN1 1AH North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Bolton BL1 5DD Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Wigan WN1 2NN
Posted by RT (as ),