What cheeses me off

[tgh]

not really compelling for most

Indeed, but this bunbubble started with me recommending an Apple watch for older folks ; primarily based on the fall/call facility.
Lots of anecdotes around about life saving outcomes , a tad disappointing that you do not see the potential benefit.

 

[Quickstatus]

recommending an Apple watch for older folks ; primarily based on the fall/call facility.

Would hardly be of benefit for my ageing mother. She always loses her phone and when she does have it she forgets to charge it. 2 devices would be impossible and that is the Achilles heel of the apple watch (plus its limited battery life betwee recharges).
She has a personal fall alarm - it has a 5 day battery so much longer than apple watch, and a telstra sim card and lanyard and fall detection and GPS location accuracy. It calls up to 6 phone numbers and you can speak into the unit and it is waterproof. it can even send a message if wearer wanders outside of geofenced area.

 

[Aeryn]

People snagging early appointments who dont have jobs to go to. I've been at pathologist since it opened at 8am for a fasting blood test and wait has been 90mins already, I keep having to push back meetings and 90% of those in front are reitrees who could come later in the day.

I've been listening to chatter none of them are needing to be anywhere urgently.

 

[mrsterryn]

People snagging early appointments who dont have jobs to go to. I've been at pathologist since it opened at 8am for a fasting blood test and wait has been 90mins already, I keep having to push back meetings and 90% of those in front are reitrees who could come later in the day.

I've been listening to chatter none of them are needing to be anywhere urgently.

You do realise you said the key word "fasting " they also are likey to be fasting which means everyone regardless of age wants to have it done
Note this is from someone who has to regularly have bloods taken with the fasting component. Also one of those "retirees " I am thinking you mean old people

 

[VPS]

People snagging early appointments who dont have jobs to go to. I've been at pathologist since it opened at 8am for a fasting blood test and wait has been 90mins already, I keep having to push back meetings and 90% of those in front are reitrees who could come later in the day.

I've been listening to chatter none of them are needing to be anywhere urgently.

How do you know they aren’t fasting too

 

[RooFlyer]

People snagging early appointments who dont have jobs to go to. I've been at pathologist since it opened at 8am for a fasting blood test and wait has been 90mins already, I keep having to push back meetings and 90% of those in front are reitrees who could come later in the day.

I've been listening to chatter none of them are needing to be anywhere urgently.

Is there somewhere that opens earlier? My local opens at 7:30am and I'm there 15 mins beforehand after a 45 min drive, waiting in the cold outside to snag one of the first couple of places. I'm retired.

 

[ellen10]

People snagging early appointments who dont have jobs to go to. I've been at pathologist since it opened at 8am for a fasting blood test and wait has been 90mins already, I keep having to push back meetings and 90% of those in front are reitrees who could come later in the day.

I've been listening to chatter none of them are needing to be anywhere urgently.

I have many diabetic friends and some on medication, that have to fast and cannot take anything before the blood tests. Our pathology place opens at 7.30 and there are always a few lined up before opening.

 

[Aeryn]

You do realise you said the key word "fasting " they also are likey to be fasting which means everyone regardless of age wants to have it done

How do you know they aren’t fasting too

Because the oldies over share why they are there with everyone else whilst waiting. TMI overkill. Only 3 of 8 (i was #8) was there for a fasting blood test - a blind lady in her mid 30s stressing out because she had to keep extending her support worker (and like me was missing conference calls), 1 older person (first in line) and myself. The other 5 (4 oldies and one stay at home mum) were all drinking coffees.

I was in and out in less than 5 mins once number was called. Blood tests are very quick; if everyone in front was doing a fasting blood test, all should have been done well before 9am.

The old guy 2 ahead of me, was in with the pathologist for 45min . The medical receptionist had to go in and find out what the hell was taking so long, apparently having a continuous monitor set up, definitely could have been done later in the day - no fasting required.

When Im in between jobs, I'm considerate of workers and make later appointments i.e. business hours appointments instead of pre-work or lunch time or weekends which should be reserved for workers. Last time I had a fasting blood test when I wasnt working, I ate a later dinner night before, slept in and happily did test at 11am. And i dont engage in chit chat delaying the next person when there is an obvious queue, that is height of rudeness.

I was expecting to be out by 8:30am at latest. I had first GP appointment at 7:30am; then as soon as the pathology room opened at 8am I took a number. Didnt get out until 9:50; by time I walked home it was 10:15am I was 15 mins late for an international conference call.

My GP reserves pre-9am and post 5pm appointments for the employed, shame the pathology room dont do the same or at least limit the first hour for fasting blood tests only. People behind me were all complaining saying there needs to be a booking system and I agree.

The other pathology place doesnt open until 9am.

 

[Pushka]

People snagging early appointments who dont have jobs to go to. I've been at pathologist since it opened at 8am for a fasting blood test and wait has been 90mins already, I keep having to push back meetings and 90% of those in front are reitrees who could come later in the day.

I've been listening to chatter none of them are needing to be anywhere urgently.

I'm partly retired but have had to do fasting tests. No way am I going to hang around for a later time slot. And, I have appointments too.

Because the oldies over share why they are there with everyone else whilst waiting. TMI overkill. Only 3 of 8 (i was #8) was there for a fasting blood test - a blind lady in her mid 30s stressing out because she had to keep extending her support worker (and like me was missing conference calls), 1 older person (first in line) and myself. The other 5 (4 oldies and one stay at home mum) were all drinking coffees.

I was in and out in less than 5 mins once number was called. Blood tests are very quick; if everyone in front was doing a fasting blood test, all should have been done well before 9am.

The old guy 2 ahead of me, was in with the pathologist for 45min . The medical receptionist had to go in and find out what the hell was taking so long, apparently having a continuous monitor set up, definitely could have been done later in the day - no fasting required.

When Im in between jobs, I'm considerate of workers and make later appointments i.e. business hours appointments instead of pre-work or lunch time or weekends which should be reserved for workers. Last time I had a fasting blood test when I wasnt working, I ate a later dinner night before, slept in and happily did test at 11am. And i dont engage in chit chat delaying the next person when there is an obvious queue, that is height of rudeness.

I was expecting to be out by 8:30am at latest. I had first GP appointment at 7:30am; then as soon as the pathology room opened at 8am I took a number. Didnt get out until 9:50; by time I walked home it was 10:15am I was 15 mins late for an international conference call.

My GP reserves pre-9am and post 5pm appointments for the employed, shame the pathology room dont do the same or at least limit the first hour for fasting blood tests only. People behind me were all complaining saying there needs to be a booking system and I agree.

The other pathology place doesnt open until 9am.

I have found the speed varies totally according to the phlebotomist. Some are too chatty.

Yes some old people are too sharing. But sharing amongst young people these days is also too much. I try not to even make eye contact with anyone in doctors rooms. Most are similar. But don't really like the 'old ' theme of the story here tbh.

 

[mrsterryn]

@Aeryn I think you are making huge assumptions about these "tmi oldies "
It is excellent you are considerate about your tests when between contracts , however this does appear similar to when people get cranky about who has a car mobility pass. Not everything is visible , not everything is chatted about in waiting rooms.
Hope your tests end up with the best results for you

 

[MEL_Traveller]

the unemployed oldies eh?

What about their kids driving them to the pathology before the kids need to be at work? Or should the kids be late to work to accommodate others who are employed?

Good on the kids saving the oldies from public transport or a taxi one way.

And what’s next? Classifying degrees of usefulness for the employed? A nail technician should be denied an appointment before a doctor? Or an uber driver denied before a lawyer?

Does the uber driver get an appointment before a student?

What about people on social security? When can they go?

Being ‘considerate’ only applies to situations which are recognised by the population as a whole. Not going to pathology early isn’t one of those situations.

 

[drron]

Well I am retired now and if I do need a fasting test I will go between 1000 and 1100. I do not find that a problem.
The worst example you gave was the monitor being put on. That should have had an appointment for later in the day and not being allowed to just turn up early.

But I came to post WCMO at the moment are red cars that don’t go fast.

 

[Aeryn]

Im not making assumptions, some oldies in front of me were telling the whole waiting room detailed personal medical stuff which was entirely unsuitable for polite conversation; and also asking other people questions which was none of their business.

Ive sent feedback suggesting introducing bookings (especially for any non routine test that takes longer than 10mins) and limiting pre 9am slots for fasting blood tests only.

What about their kids driving them to the pathology before the kids need to be at work? Or should the kids be late to work to accommodate others who are employed?

There were no "kids" there, all the oldies had found their own way - this isnt a specialist that people drive to from all over, its local GP office.

And what’s next? Classifying degrees of usefulness for the employed? A nail technician should be denied an appointment before a doctor? Or an uber driver denied before a lawyer?

What a ridiculous conclusion to jump to.

Given the GP practice already has a sensible rule for early GP appointments; it only make sense to me that for onsite pathology to follow the same convention.

Being ‘considerate’ only applies to situations which are recognised by the population as a whole. Not going to pathology early isn’t one of those situations.

In your opinion. Name anything where the whole population 100% agrees, i cant think of anything. I strongly disagree with you.

I personally would never cause any worker irrespective of what their job is to miss paid work just so i could get a non urgent test done first thing when I have capacity to go at a later time. If i didn't need to work today I would have left and come back later. I appreciate the considerate like Dr Ron who go a little later because they can.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Im not making assumptions, some oldies in front of me were telling the whole waiting room detailed personal medical stuff which was entirely unsuitable for polite conversation; and also asking other people questions which was none of their business.

Ive sent feedback suggesting introducing bookings (especially for any non routine test that takes longer than 10mins) and limiting pre 9am slots for fasting blood tests only.


There were no "kids" there, all the oldies had found their own way - this isnt a specialist that people drive to from all over, its local GP office.


What a ridiculous conclusion to jump to.

Given the GP practice already has a sensible rule for early GP appointments; it only make sense to me that for onsite pathology to follow the same convention.



In your opinion. Name anything where the whole population 100% agrees, i cant think of anything. I strongly disagree with you.

I personally would never cause any worker irrespective of what their job is to miss paid work just so i could get a non urgent test done first thing when I have capacity to go at a later time. If i didn't need to work today I would have left and come back later. I appreciate the considerate like Dr Ron who go a little later because they can.

You missed my point.

The oldies could be there early because their kids dropped them off on the way to work. Saving their parents the one way bus or taxi fare. The kids don’t have to stay and wait.

It’s a public health system, with public funding. Unless the GP is 100% privately funded, and the same for blood tests, I don’t think they have the right to restrict appointments based on their determination of ‘value’.

Retirees can’t take a morning flight because the doctor won’t see them until after 9? That’s not fair.

and if the argument is that the retiree should schedule a doctor’s visit the day before their flight, doesn’t the same apply to someone with a work event to attend?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I wonder if it’s actually lawful to discriminate, based on employment status?

 

[AuSammy]

WCMO is people who think their priority to been seen for a non-emergency service is more important than other people.