GP appointment face to face - reasonable adjustment?

[LennyMurdoch]

I was just pondering whether it would fall under 'reasonable adjustment' to expect to be able to see my GP face to face.

Currently you have to call and a GP will call you back, obviously if you need to be seen in person you are, but if it's something you can discuss by phone you don't get the option.

I'm autistic so really struggling to make that contact. I have spoken to a GP on the phone before but I really would be benefit hugely from a face to face.

What do you think? Reasonable adjustment or tough shit?

Just ask for a face to face appointment when they do the triage call - ours are happy for that to happen.

@CaptainFuckedUp

Just ask for a face to face appointment when they do the triage call - ours are happy for that to happen.

Oh no, sorry, I wasn't clear - there is no option to ask. When the GP calls you back that is your appointment. Reception are not making face to face appointments.

I'm autistic and it can be a real challenge can't it? I think it's a very reasonable reasonable adjustment - definitely worth asking.

My current GP is absolutely brilliant. They've used the telephone triage system long before Covid which I found very difficult, but she was happy for me to book the phone appointment online and would then text me a time to go in and see her face to face. During Covid we have relied more on email but this is still hugely preferable to using the phone for me - could that be another option for you if they won't agree face to face?

Really hope they accommodate your request.

Could you contact the practice manager - they must have your diagnosis on record - to explain and request?

The world has gone completely mad

On the one hand we have adverts on tv which say ' your GP is waiting to see you!'

On the other hand, just try getting an appointment face to face! Impossibly unless your leg is hanging off

OP - I'd just simply say ' I have autism and require a face to face alignment please' and see what they say

Err appointment! No aligning!

@pyjamas89

I'm autistic and it can be a real challenge can't it? I think it's a very reasonable reasonable adjustment - definitely worth asking.

My current GP is absolutely brilliant. They've used the telephone triage system long before Covid which I found very difficult, but she was happy for me to book the phone appointment online and would then text me a time to go in and see her face to face. During Covid we have relied more on email but this is still hugely preferable to using the phone for me - could that be another option for you if they won't agree face to face?

Really hope they accommodate your request.

Ours are a bit dinosoury- no email or text at all. It's basically phone and get a call back or nothing! Mostly I choose nothing! I can do it if I have to but I just wondered if it was worth raising the possibility of an adjustment.

@Purplewithred

Could you contact the practice manager - they must have your diagnosis on record - to explain and request?

Actually they don't, I was diagnosed earlier this year but haven't managed to give them the paperwork to copy because we are not allowed inside the surgery unless we have spoke to a GP who has said to come down, or any of the nurse appointments that are running.

@CharlieFarl1e

The world has gone completely mad

On the one hand we have adverts on tv which say ' your GP is waiting to see you!'

On the other hand, just try getting an appointment face to face! Impossibly unless your leg is hanging off

OP - I'd just simply say ' I have autism and require a face to face alignment please' and see what they say

It is quite mad isn't it!!

Oh right, the phone calls here are triage phone calls - they do see people who need face to face for communication reasons but via the phone call first - they call, then send a link, then you request face to face ...

But yeah they've also given me an email address to use.

How about snail mail request to have a face to face one?

@CaptainFuckedUp

Oh right, the phone calls here are triage phone calls - they do see people who need face to face for communication reasons but via the phone call first - they call, then send a link, then you request face to face ...

But yeah they've also given me an email address to use.

How about snail mail request to have a face to face one?

I think I will call them to ask what the position is. I'm quite bad at taking care of myself at the best of times so just don't do it.

Urgh in this same boat, autistic and can't use the ring up and then ring back system, we used to have ring up or an online booking system to get an appointment. Which is what I would do. They got rid of the online booking system for covid reasons and now it's ring and explain to the receptionist and then a call back from the doctor, so I don't use the doctor now.