An NHS doctor highlighted the need for patients to show consideration towards fellow healthcare users.
Given the ongoing challenge of securing GP appointments, Dr. Shireen has highlighted the critical importance of punctuality when attending these scheduled visits.
Arriving late can disrupt the schedule for other patients awaiting their turn. Not only might your consultation run over its allotted time, but you could also risk being denied service altogether.
Patients are often left “shocked” when this occurs, though it’s entirely reasonable given the immense pressures facing busy medical practices.
In a TikTok video, Dr. Shireen disclosed that NHS GPs are allocated a mere 10 minutes per patient. She describes this period as “simply inadequate,” which explains why clinics often fall behind their planned schedules.
Healthcare providers must juggle their workload while also dealing with emergencies and treating complex cases. Therefore, for the services to function as smoothly as possible, patient punctuality is essential.
In her popular video, Dr. Shireen stressed: “When given an appointment, such as at 1pm, ensure that you arrive by 1pm. Those 10 minutes are intended for you exclusively.”
“However, arriving at 1:07pm makes it challenging for us to provide you with safe and thorough care in the remaining three minutes. If we agree to see you, it causes delays for the following patient and contributes to the existing backlog, as the system is already strained.”
By allowing yourself the complete 10 minutes, you’re far more likely to have your needs addressed.
Patients expressed appreciation for Dr Shireen’s guidance.
One person wrote: “I’ve got issues. I need to be anywhere 15 minutes early.”
Another remarked: “I’ve been on both sides of this. My last implant took over an hour to remove, and I felt so sorry for the person who was after me. I’ve also been the person waiting ages… yes, it’s frustrating.”
