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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:
FidosMum84 · 04/04/2025 21:51

Nurse prescribers are qualified to a high level to support many issues. You don’t always need a GP, freeing up their time and additional clinical expertise for more complicated physical or mental health issues.
Similarly a Pharmacist is highly qualified and can advise and prescribe far more quickly than most people can get a GP appt.
The world has changed and a GP’s can’t be everything to everyone. But there are plenty of professionals who can help.
I fully appreciate I’m also in the fortunate position to have an amazing GP and I can get into see him because he’s not prescribing for common conditions that his team can support with.

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.

Pippa12 · 04/04/2025 21:49

My GPs are excellent. I have never rung up for an appointment and not been seen on the same day. I appreciate I’m in the minority.

Original poster
MidlandMary · 04/04/2025 21:49

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

OP posts:
SallyD00lally · 04/04/2025 21:46

No, I can always get a same day appointment with my GP as long as I phone up at 8am when the lines open.

Gymmum82 · 04/04/2025 21:42

No. I got a GP appointment this week with an actual doctor for a heart issue and I have another one in a couple of weeks with another doctor to discuss HRT

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