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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Visiting GP surgery

57 replies

Oxo01 · 25/03/2020 00:24

I have been off work for quiet a few weeks now ( not virus related) and have not been out for this period at all, I am due to send an updated fit note to work this week but could not get appointment till Thursday this week, however considering the spread of the virus etc I called the surgery to see if I should still attend, they advised that i could cancel the appointment and the GP could call me for telephone consultation (which would also free up the appointment for someone else ) which i did and he called me on Monday of this week.
He issued a new fit note which I have to collect from the surgery which is about an hour bus ride away ( no parking nearby) I didn't think about this untill today and given the advise not to go out unless urgent medicle needs, I called the surgery today to ask f they could email me it , the receptionist said they could not do this due to the system which is fine, so i asked if they could post it rather than me travelling on a lengthy bus ride etc but the receptionist said no they cannot.

I would not ask for this any other time at all, but think this surley is a simple way to reduce people leaving there homes which we are being told not to. Obviously it would help me but I genuinely thought this would help reduce people being out and about.

OP posts:

ThePants999 · 25/03/2020 00:36

YANBU. Never even mind the length of the journey for you, it's absolutely ridiculous that when we've been told not to leave our homes unless it's totally essential, they want you to come in - to a doctor's surgery, no less - for a piece of paper. Complain a bit more loudly!

playthestation · 25/03/2020 00:40

I think YABU. They are snowed under just now. You are not the only patient. Imagine if everyone asked for them to post things out; unfortunately your location and method of transport to get to them is your responsibility.

Original poster

Oxo01 · 25/03/2020 00:45

@36ThePants999
Thanks I thought I was being a bit picky but really don't relish the idea of being on buses at moment, I think I will either get a cab there and back which will cost about £26 total, !!! if I can get one and before leaving I'm gonna call them again to request it again i may get a different response if different receptionist.

OP posts:

Original poster

Oxo01 · 25/03/2020 00:50

@40playthestation, yes I appreciate that and as I said I would never ask for this any other time as I have chosen to stay with this surgery and travel regardless of the distance, just thought this could be possible preventative method in this risky times.

OP posts:

tryingtoprep · 25/03/2020 00:54

How ridiculous. Under the circumstances you'd think they'd encourage people to stay away. They're risking themselves as well as you. It's not impossible to email or post a fit note. I know several people who get them posted. What happens if someone develops symptoms and needs to self isolate?

playthestation · 25/03/2020 00:58

People really don't seem to have much of a clue about what's going on right now. The surgery staff are not the OP's PA's. The only ridiculous thing here is someone expecting special treatment at a time where the level of staff is low due to isolation and sickness, and the level of work is fucking huge.

Doggybiccys · 25/03/2020 00:59

YANBU. They can’t email you it “due to the system”?? What the blazes does that mean? I can’t abide things like this when very simple steps could make life so much easier but people don’t want to do it for no good reason. Where I live, the surgery sends the prescription to my local chemist and I pick it up from there - I take it yours does not offer this? Give the distance and unsupportive stance, I’d be looking for a new practice if possible.

playthestation · 25/03/2020 01:00

Where I live, the surgery sends the prescription to my local chemist and I pick it up from there - I take it yours does not offer this?

It is not a prescription.

Original poster

Oxo01 · 25/03/2020 01:04

@54tryingtoprep, that's what I thought, and I'm sure if I had thought about and asked my GP when I spoke to him on Monday he would have asked them to do so.
Also I thought ( I may be wrong ) that it may be less busy and people staying away from the surgery unless urgent as when I called today they answered within a minute rather than the usual 20minutes to get through.
However I might have just been lucky to get through quickly.

OP posts:

alexdgr8 · 25/03/2020 01:07

how come you live so far from the surgery;
i thought they had catchment areas.
they do around here, and are very strict about it. great pressure of numbers. lucky to get on a list.

tryingtoprep · 25/03/2020 01:09

I hope you get it sorted tomorrow OP.

level of staff is low due to isolation and sickness
Exactly why it makes sense to limit the amount of possibly infected patients coming in and causing more staff to be off sick.

playthestation · 25/03/2020 01:09

OP moved away and decided to stay with that surgery. Now OPnis expecting special treatment during a global crisis because she lives far away from her surgery.

Original poster

Oxo01 · 25/03/2020 01:10

@58playthestation No it is not a prescription they send them to my chemist as required, it's a sick note.
And I do realise all the staff are overwhelmed etc and I DONT expect special treatment for your information.

OP posts:

playthestation · 25/03/2020 01:11

Exactly why it makes sense to limit the amount of possibly infected patients coming in and causing more staff to be off sick.

Not really a reason to have them tied up dealing with this. The reasons some people find to try and justify things is quite bizarre. You can pick up a piece of paper without infecting anyone of you do it with care.

playthestation · 25/03/2020 01:13

And I do realise all the staff are overwhelmed etc and I DONT expect special treatment for your information

You are though. You are expecting staff to do something that is not part of their job, to suit you. That IS special treatment.

maggiecate · 25/03/2020 01:13

Give them a call back, ask to speak to the practice manager, explain the situation- offer to send a stamped self-addressed envelope if necessary. It might not be usual practice for them but it would be exercising a bit of common sense to avoid exposing someone to an illness that could place far greater strain on resources than someone putting an envelope in the post tray.

SimplySteveRedux · 25/03/2020 01:13

OP moved away and decided to stay with that surgery.

It's the practice who decide this.

playthestation · 25/03/2020 01:15

It's the practice who decide this.

OP's own words....

as I have chosen to stay with this surgery

Standrewsschool · 25/03/2020 01:15

Med 3s have to be signed by the gp, hence can’t be emailed.

I would have thought they’d be able to post it to you.

Standrewsschool · 25/03/2020 01:17

Surgeries do have catchment areas, and it’s up to the discretion of the surgery to decide whether you stay or not as a result of moving away. Our local surgery would probably remove you, unless you gave a valid reason.

SimplySteveRedux · 25/03/2020 01:18

You can elect to stay when you move out of the catchment area but it's the practice who decides to retain that patient, which they have done in this case, @playthestation

playthestation · 25/03/2020 01:18

Surgeries do have catchment areas, and it’s up to the discretion of the surgery to decide whether you stay or not as a result of moving away

Yes I understand, but ultimately that only happens if the patient themselves opt to do it. The fact that the surgery allow it does not eliminate the fact that OP also chose to do it.

Original poster

Oxo01 · 25/03/2020 01:19

I did not move away I've been with this surgery for 30 years I was allowed to stay with them under the NHS choices thing came out several years ago ( can't recall what it's called) I will change to a nearer surgery once my GP retires etc
Like I said I don't expect anything just thought for safety reasons for all I thought this could be an option.
Thanks all for replys.

OP posts:

playthestation · 25/03/2020 01:20

You can elect to stay when you move out of the catchment area but it's the practice who decides to retain that patient, which they have done in this case,

I know. OP said she chose to stay with them, so she chose to do that because it was an option. I am fully aware the survey can say yes or no, but they won't say either of these things if the patient doesn't ask for it in the first place.

tryingtoprep · 25/03/2020 01:20

playstation I'm sure the receptionist would rather post a letter than have OP come in and cough on her. OP could quite possibly develop symptoms overnight.

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