Another pair of totally unrelated subjects in today’s blog – party conferences and waiting rooms at doctors and dentists!
Conferences
I see the Conservatives are coming back to Blackpool for their party conference in 2022. No matter what party you belong to, it’s good news as it will bring much needed money into Blackpool.
Of course, the new conference centre is still currently being built at a cost of £25 million pounds. It’s hoped this conference will bring in £2.4 million to boost the local economy and that can’t be bad, can it.
They last came in 2007 and, quite rightly, weren’t thrilled with the accommodation and the conference area. They said it was outdated and when other places are making their towns more attractive, what do you do? You go there.
Traditional and Technology
The new conference centre will link directly with the Empress Ballroom, so those who like a bit of traditional can have the best of both worlds. And vital, new wireless and broadband facilities will be provided.
The town itself is undergoing massive changes, and for the better. The Sands hotel is well on its way to completion, and what a fantastic place to go to. It looks really lovely, even though I’ve not seen it in the flesh yet.
Jane did a walk-around video of progress at the site last week – here it is –
I’ve not been to Blackpool since lockdown began. So much is happening here. It would do the people good who deride the town, to come and see what is actually happening. And all the building work that’s going on to make the place a first class resort that people will want to visit.
So here’s to a rosy future in Blackpool.
Waiting Rooms
And so to the second half of this ‘Conferences and Waiting Rooms’ blog.
I don’t know if you know or not, but GP’s surgeries are going to continue with remote appointments. It’s what they’ve done for the last few months because of the pandemic.
GP’s want patients to know that the surgery will remain the same for the foreseeable future. Did you know there are 36 GP’s Surgeries on the Fylde Coast? I didn’t. Is it me, or does that seem not that many to cover such a big area?
Anyway, they’re going to continue to see the majority of cases by video or over the phone. I think it’s a better idea altogether than the usual trip to the surgery. If you do need a visit to the surgery, the same rules apply, you must ring the surgery beforehand. Don’t just turn up as you may be turned away.
When you ring your practice you’ll be asked a series of questions to direct you to the person who can most help you, very sensible. The majority of calls can be handled by phone or video.
No more Waiting Rooms
But if you need to see a doctor, you have to wear a face covering or mask and must follow all the rules the practice have set when you get inside. For example, you might have to ring a buzzer before you can get into the building, or stay in your car and call the practice to say you’ve arrived.
Speaking personally I much much prefer the new protocol, as sitting in a waiting room at a surgery isn’t high on my list of fun things to do. I can think of a lot more things I’d prefer to do, than sit there, looking at strangers waiting for their doom.
Have you noticed how, in dentists and doctors waiting rooms, we all take little glances at each other, wondering why they’re there and trying to diagnose them while you wait. We all try not to look as though we are staring! Studying people has always been something I’ve been interested in.
What’s your fate?
Personally, I don’t like going to the doctors or dentists as they aren’t exactly places that you go to for a laugh, are they. I’m claustrophobic and hate, loathe and detest sitting in quiet rooms with my stomach churning wondering what my fate is going to be. Will an axe fall or will I come out smiling with relief!
Some patients are alone, others go in with the victim. All sorts of ages and all sorts of problems. I often wonder if they are as wound up as I am – some look calm and others look petrified.
For me, the doctors represents the fact that a serious illness and lots and lots of GP and hospital appointments could stretch in front of you.
Setting the ball rolling
If, like me, you’re unlucky enough to have something serious wrong with you, the doctor is the first stage in setting the ball rolling down the hill. They have the power to say you are OK – or no, you are ill. Before you know it and can say Jack Robinson, that rolling ball rolls down the hill, getting faster and faster until it reaches the bottom.
I hope you’re following this comparison. It’s for anyone out there to relate to if they feel like I do. For me, a trip to the doctors is something to avoid unless I’m really ill, unlike some people who are never away. I worked as a doctors receptionist and saw this many times. The same faces, again and again, who needed reassuring that they were OK. I just wish I had their lack of worry about sitting for hours in a waiting room, wondering what my fate is. I don’t know about you?
While you’re here…
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