When will doctors start doing routine appointments again?

[TheClutch]

I have several MH conditions which for years has been controlled with anti-depressants. I actually feel the most stable I have for years due to a permanent change in my DCs contact arrangement with their father (the cause of 2 of my conditions – I only have 1 DC if it makes a difference). Lockdown has given me time to find other ways to stabilise myself.

I am keen to discuss with the GP about cutting down my dosage. They can’t do this over the phone as I have other conditions which are controlled with help from the ADs which mean I need my BP and HR checking before changing or coming off any medication (if these aren’t stable/the correct level then we need a plan B and/or to stay on the ADs for awhile longer).

My GPs surgery is only doing urgent appointments atm, none of the chemists locally are open for consultations and they’ve never checked BP and HR anyway.

I know it’s not urgent as I am stable in my MH, not suicidal or unhappy but I do not want to do anything without discussing it with the GP. I’ve had an initial telephone appointment where we’ve made an initial plan but they can’t do anything without the BP/HR check.

Any ideas when they might resume routine appointments? Or is that like asking how longs a piece of string?

Ours has now opened and pretty much normal, hopefully this means others are starting to do.

Ours haven’t opened, telephone consultations only! Although getting a telephone consult is almost impossible!

Ours will be email consultations until at least 2021

I doubt they will ever go back to ‘normal’

Ours are doing a telephone consultation in the first instance and then inviting you in if they need to see you.

I hope they never go back to "needing" to see you before they can do anything else for you. This is so more efficient for both the doctor and the patient, so many GP appointments are just a referral elsewhere without them really examining you, but previously, at our surgery you needed to wait weeks for an appointment before you could even start the process.

Doctors are still doing routine apps and have never stopped. The difference is they are phone triaged first. This is here to stay. It will never go back to how it was.

I'm not meaning to be rude but you've stabilised your MH and your in the best place you have been for a while, why do you want to start messing with things and drop your AD?

Ours is still phone only. Which is good in a way as you could be added to the appointment list on the phone. We used to have to queue outside to go in to book an appointment for later in the day.
I’d been prescribed what I needed by 8:38am. Normally I’d still be waiting outside. Which is super convenient when you work.

Our doctors are triaging people on the phone and giving you an appointment if they need to see you. I personally think this is a great way of working. I had a UTI and knew what antibiotics i needed as i have them regularly, the doctor called me back and sent a prescription straight to the pharmacy. Took 15 minutes and i didn't take someone elses slot to see a GP.

They were also fantastic with me when i miscarried during lockdown and saw me for a blood test to confirm etc. I think booking routine appointments for weeks ahead will be a thing of the past really.

@Morfin

I'm not meaning to be rude but you've stabilised your MH and your in the best place you have been for a while, why do you want to start messing with things and drop your AD?

Because they were never intended to be a long term solution, I want to look at other ways to stabalise my other health conditions if they need it, they may well have been made worse by my poor MH