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AIBU?

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Original poster

Getting a GP appt

81 replies

MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 21:41

I was in our local pharmacy today to get help with my kids hayfever issues.
I noticed lots of self-service kits on offer, from thyroid to UTI infections and colon function.
All fine, this can be done via these services but I wonder, in that my daughter needed antibiotics for an ear infection recently, prescribed by a nurse, what is the role now of a GP?
I'd rather a GP but on the NHS this doesn't seem possible now.
Have GP's gone private now? I don't blame them if so 😔

OP posts:
ScaryM0nster · 04/04/2025 23:11

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 04/04/2025 22:43

@ScaryM0nster , most GPs do not do a mix of NHS and private work. 🤦🏼‍♀️🙄

Show quote history

Really?

I’ve not come across a practise that doesn’t do at least a small amount of private work.
Travel letters, medicals, insurance reports etc.

Original poster
MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 23:07

Okay will leave this here.
You got a GP verdict via a HCP. Yeah okay.
I can see a private GP via my employer's healthcare scheme.
That's where they are .. not via the NHS.
Ask where they are on site ..

OP posts:
Allthesnowallthetime · 04/04/2025 22:58

"Sorry, but those who think you're getting an actual GP ..
You're not."

You are wrong. I absolutely am seeing a GP if I need to. How do I know they are a GP? They've been at the surgery for years and I can check that the are on the GMC register.

I was very glad recently that there are other ways to get treatment for minor things though. Received excellent treatment from a pharmacist who diagnosed and prescribed appropriately, so I didn't need to use up a GP appointment.

Itsjustnotthevibe · 04/04/2025 22:50

I can always get an appointment with a GP pretty easily, I know I am lucky my surgery is very good. Either do an e-consult and get a call back which I find better as I don't have to go to the surgery, I have an in person appointment scheduled for Monday. The nurse practitioners do the more regular things like my father's diabetics check ups but the Drs are definitely still seeing people for non routine issues. I think you are worrying unnecessarily.

Sonolanona · 04/04/2025 22:49

My DD1 is a GP . She is in her surgery from 7.30 am till 6pm usually later She is allocated 10 min per patient . Plus the calls,referrals,home visits (yes they are still a thing for bedbound patients) Her surgery do same day calls/face to face...they have a ring on the day only system that is triaged and she reckons it is excellent.
They have specialist nurse practictioners for certain criteria, and a Physicians Associate (who isn't much use as his scope of practice is very limited...as it should be). Not every problem needs a doctor but anything reasonably complex will get to see one>
My own surgery has a crap system and it's currently 6 weeks wait for a phonecall unless you can ring (and get through) at 8am and beg!

Original poster
MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 22:48

redphonecase · 04/04/2025 22:30

I'm a GP and we'd see your daughter same day, although most ear infections don't need antibiotics.

Thank you, she's had 2 tympamoplasty surgeries and her ENT surgeon has a different opinion to yours.

OP posts:
SallyD00lally · 04/04/2025 22:46

MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 22:42

Sorry I don't have any agenda, I'm worried for my son and his future career.

I see so many outlets that don't require a GP, I'm concerned. Many suggest a pharmacy or nurse.

That's just real where I live.

Sorry I don't have any agenda, I'm worried for my son and his future career.

He's an adult, let him worry about his own jobs.

He doesn't need to be looking at every spot and hemorrhoid that people want appointments for.

mynameiscalypso · 04/04/2025 22:43

I’ve had 5 GP appointments in the last month so there’s definitely no shortage of demand from me!

Icanthinkformyselfthanks · 04/04/2025 22:43

ScaryM0nster · 04/04/2025 21:50

Most GPs do a mix of private and NHS work. For some mainly NHS, for others mainly private.

What’s changed is that the level of demand on primary care has increased massively, as has the complexity.

So anything straight forward is generally done by nurses or pharmacists. Anything that’s primary medication related rather than diagnostic is also done by pharmacists as that’s their expertise. The complex patients, or diagnostic work, or managing multiple interacting issues is GPs.

We have a lot of people needing GP input now who wouldn’t have been alive with their medical history 30yrs ago.

@ScaryM0nster , most GPs do not do a mix of NHS and private work. 🤦🏼‍♀️🙄

Original poster
MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 22:42

Sorry I don't have any agenda, I'm worried for my son and his future career.

I see so many outlets that don't require a GP, I'm concerned. Many suggest a pharmacy or nurse.

That's just real where I live.

OP posts:
MalleusMaleficarumm · 04/04/2025 22:38

Where we are, AHPs see the uncomplicated/minor illnesses and the GPs see people who need to see a doctor. I think it works well personally!

Why do you specifically want/need to see a GP for an uncomplicated ear infection when a nurse has as much experience in that area?

glitterturd · 04/04/2025 22:31

MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 22:14

Sorry, but those who think you're getting an actual GP ..
You're not.

What are the actual GP's doing?
Are you private now? I totally understand xx

Oh you have an agenda here?

redphonecase · 04/04/2025 22:30

I'm a GP and we'd see your daughter same day, although most ear infections don't need antibiotics.

glitterturd · 04/04/2025 22:29

MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 21:59

My concern is my son is training in this field, and if GPs are getting replaced by nurse practitioners what is the point? The student loans are ridiculous to qualify as a doc when nurses can prescribe the same as a Dr.

There are so many patients to be seen! Don't worry - your son will never be out of work! It makes total sense for qualified people to be dealing with minor conditions.

SallyD00lally · 04/04/2025 22:28

MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 22:14

Sorry, but those who think you're getting an actual GP ..
You're not.

What are the actual GP's doing?
Are you private now? I totally understand xx

Sorry, but those who think you're getting an actual GP ..
You're not.

Do you think we're so stupid that we don't ask?

Or are you accusing surgeries up and down the country of telling lies, or are you accusing nurses of fraudulently claiming to be GPs?

Sorry, it's not clear.

SallyD00lally · 04/04/2025 22:26

MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 22:22

@SallyD00lally
They are def being used instead of actual GP's.
Ask me how how i know 😞

Why would I ask you how you know, it doesn't change the facts? 😳

My point is, there are certain things that only a GP can do, so they're obviously not replacing them, they're freeing them up to make appointments easier to get.

Original poster
MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 22:22

@SallyD00lally
They are def being used instead of actual GP's.
Ask me how how i know 😞

OP posts:
Springee · 04/04/2025 22:14

We had very few nurses and a pharmacist practitioner who could do a proper asthma check up from circa 2019 to about a year ago. Then several older GPs retired and the practice got in new people, GPs, nurses and so on. They restored being able to ring up for appointments and also have a sophisticated website. It's been a God send with DC unwell

Original poster
MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 22:14

Sorry, but those who think you're getting an actual GP ..
You're not.

What are the actual GP's doing?
Are you private now? I totally understand xx

OP posts:
HappyHolidai · 04/04/2025 22:11

GPs see the complicated cases or conditions. (Like me recently, unfortunately). Antibiotics for an ear infection aren't that complicated unless there is something unusual about the situation so will have been filtered to the other professional.

If you are healthy enough not to need a doctor for you and your family then you are very fortunate. I suggest counting your blessings rather than trying to get up some anti-doctor hate.

edwinbear · 04/04/2025 22:06

My GP surgery don’t even bother answering the phone anymore. If you want an appointment, you need to physically go to the surgery to make one, which will be in about 3 weeks time.

SallyD00lally · 04/04/2025 22:06

MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 21:59

My concern is my son is training in this field, and if GPs are getting replaced by nurse practitioners what is the point? The student loans are ridiculous to qualify as a doc when nurses can prescribe the same as a Dr.

They're not getting replaced by them.

They're used to free up the GPs time so they can see patients who actually need a doctor.

FidosMum84 · 04/04/2025 22:04

Nurse prescribers can prescribe within their own formulary (qualifications and expertise) but they’re not GP’s. There’s a place for both and a significant salary difference so training as a GP will always be needed. I wouldn’t worry about his career choice. He will be stressed and likely overworked but it pays well.

SallyD00lally · 04/04/2025 22:04

MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 21:49

So interesting .. do you get a doctor or a AHP? It might just be in my area 😔

A doctor if I need one.

The AHPs are brilliant though, hence the reason the GPs manage to have so many appointments available.

Original poster
MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 21:59

My concern is my son is training in this field, and if GPs are getting replaced by nurse practitioners what is the point? The student loans are ridiculous to qualify as a doc when nurses can prescribe the same as a Dr.

OP posts:
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