Medical question re consultants writing to your GP

[Leavesofautumn]

You know when you see a specialist and they send a letter to your GP to say what's happened? Can I assume that GPs receive hundreds of these letters every day, and that they don't just read them all when they arrive? So in order to get your GP to actually read the letter, you need to make a GP appointment?

I can only speak for the GP surgery where I work but… No, they’re all reviewed individually by the reception team, we have a dedicated ‘scanning’ desk where all letters are received, scanned onto records and actioned. They are then passed to the relevant staff member to deal with (eg a receptionist if simply advising a blood test, clinical pharmacist if change in existing medication, doctor if new medication or needs a follow up etc).

In some practices all letters will be read by a GP, in others receptionists are trained to filter out the ones which don’t require action or contains new significant diagnosis and the GP will see the rest.

That makes sense. Thank you.

BUT (again, for where I work!) if the letter infers no action is required on the part of the surgery and a follow up has already been booked with the specialist for example, the doctor/team member would simply complete that document.
If that was the case but you still wanted to discuss the letter or clarify any details, then yes, you’d probably need to make a routine appointment (probably phone call) to discuss the letter.
Hope that helps

In my surgery,the letters get scanned into the patient’s notes, and then sent to the relevant gp, nurse etc. The gp reads the electronic version, not the original hard copy. I’d say every letter is read by someone. However, it can take time.

Also, some hospital consultants get their letters out quickly, others can take weeks. GPS don’t have to action the consultants letters - it’s only recommendation not a command.

Okay thanks.