I thought GPs were supposed to be open?!

[DrPatient]

So, I had a routine appointment booked in to check my anaemia - cancelled due to Covid back in March and they'll let me know when I can have it. Fair enough, I get that. But it's now July and they're still not ready. Then, I tried to make an emergency appointment as was told that, no, they aren't doing any emergency appointments and to phone 111. I phoned 111 and they said to book a GP appointment or go to A&E - but I obviously can't book a GP appointment because they said no. I received the letter saying I should book my son in for his one year vaccinations. When I tried to book, they said they aren't doing vaccinations due to Covid - but everywhere is encouraging parents to still vaccinate during Covid. I'm due a smear test - can't book it "due to Covid".
I've had issues with my GP in the past, for example they refuse to provide contraception at all - they tell me to go to a private sexual health clinic about half an hour away instead, and I needed a medical check done for a new job and they flat-out refused. It's very difficult to get an appointment at the best of times with the receptionist demanding to know every minute detail in order to decide whether or not you're "worthy". This was all prior to Covid.
AIBU to think they should be doing appointments now? Are other GPs back up and running?

Not in my small university city. It's really shit, only get telephone appointments but it's better than nothing and I feel for the staff

lmao read some more and not sure i want to wade in fully - but you say you don't want receptionist knowing your medical info, yet you also suggest they notice if someone has repeatedly called in about a headache. therefore you must be aware that whether you want to a state a reason explicitly to a receptionist on the day, next time you ring up they will see the notes from that previous consultation?

Ours are doing an initial telephone appointment then will see you if they think they need to.

This is down to the individual GP surgery as so many on here have had service, either in person, by telephone or both. I myself have had telephone conversations with the GP, in person blood tests, referral to specialists that had first session by telephone and then in person. Even have had physical therapy sessions

DH has seen dentist and hygienist. So has DD - here was just regular checkups up followed by hygienist appointment.

I could, however, see a problem like OPs with my former GP surgery that was badly managed. I struggled to get appointments and had appalling treatment (or lack thereof). I used to have dreadful impression of NHS because of them

My new GP surgery (changed about 8 years ago) is amazing. Run very well, implements simple technology to run better and has a real can do attitude. Not like the Turner where everything was effectively, computer says no.

I work in as GP receptionist, building sooo old we can't even social distance the staff... Everyone who phones on the day gets a GP phone consult, if he needs to see patient we make a face to face appointment for the next day, these appointments are at least half an hour apart as room has to be cleaned and we don't want people meeting outside (where they have to wait, come rain or shine). He is still making referals to hospitals/clinic, some are going ahead some being put on waiting lists. ALL baby imms are being done as are some other nurse appointments ie wound dressings. Blood tests are being done by appoinment only (book online) at a selection of local clinics.

I think it’s hit and miss. I’m in Bradford, West Yorks and ive had prescriptions prescribed over the phone, nothing unusual there. My son had his 1 year vaccinations in April, i enquired about having a coil fitted about 3 weeks ago and they told me they are just starting to offer these appointments again and they would put me on the waiting list. A letter came last week with an appointment for it on the 21st of July. So to me the experience is no different, and I have been able to speak to a GP if needs be.

It seems it really is quite patchy in terms of services.

OP, I have not read many of the pp's responses because I read all your replies and am so incensed with their obvious replies to you, that I just wanted to reassure you that some of us do understand what you are saying, and I for one think that your GP practice is behaving atrociously. Luckily non of my family have needed to see our GP's since lockdown, but I know they are available for telephone consultations at least, and all blood tests and vaccinations are still taking place - I don't know about smears etc, sorry. I cannot believe that your practice is behaving legally if they are still getting paid for their services. If they are not, then they should shut down completely, and not be allowed to reopen when this is all sorted (?!). I know that if you have a grievance with a surgery your first port of call is supposed to be with the practice manager, and they must tell you where to go next if you are not satisfied. Sorry, but I don't know where. I really feel for you, and hope you get this sorted very soon.

@Pugwash2005

It varies obviously but most patients are under the impression that surgeries are still closed. I work in a pharmacy & the added pressures During Covid when surgeries effectively closed their doors is still very real. Patients are constantly phoning to order prescriptions or check we have collected them from the surgeries as they are being told not to go to the surgery by dr & receptionists. They are also being told to contact pharmacies for minor ailment scheme (instead of triage calls)which the pharmacist has to do even though already three time’s busier than normal because the surgeries are deflecting all patients to pharmacies. Pharmacies kept their doors open throughout, organised ordering & collection of prescriptions from surgeries as well as delivering to the vulnerable as well as everyone who was isolating along with many more who were just too scared to go out. Surgeries have been behind closed doors & also their glass screens while pharmacy staff have had face to face with patients throughout. A&e are also feeling the strain of surgeries ‘closed doors’. I feel your pain op you are not alone many patients also can’t get an appointment in my locality either.

I agree pharmacies have really got the brunt of the GP closed door policy. I used to pick my prescription up from GP surgery but obviously that now isn't allowed so I had to nominate a pharmacy who to their credit always have prescription ready and did my med review (gp wasn't going to be doing it). Incidentally when you order a repeat it used to take gp surgery 1.5 to 2 days to approve and process it's now being done in 5 mins I doubt very much they are busy. The building has had shutters up for months and if it weren't for the prescription processing I'd be wondering if they were open at all

I'm in a similar position, I had my b12 injection cancelled in March and I've not had once since. I'm really struggling but when I call I'm told I can only book a telephone appointment... oh yeah stick a needle in me over the phone!

Depends on your surgery to be honest. I know out of my two local ones that one is only doing video stuff as they only have 2 gps and they are both having to shield themselves but nurse stuff has been running better. The other has lots of gps, and has been running more normally but this week has been hit by high sickness so has cancelled most.

Gps often have large numbers of patients but a handful of staff so are really vulnerable to staff issues (especially due to the ageing of Gps now)

I think now that GP surgery's are run like private businesses I assume that during lockdown and til now some GPs have decided to take a long break, still get paid, but provide no service.
I'm not sure how they get away with it, and I'm sure they will be the first people moaning that their waiting rooms are full when they do finally start accepting patients again.
It's unfair, pharmacies are doing a great job, 111 is rubbish and 99.9% of the time turning up at A&E is not appropriate.
What are we supposed to do?

@DrPatient

So, I had a routine appointment booked in to check my anaemia - cancelled due to Covid back in March and they'll let me know when I can have it. Fair enough, I get that. But it's now July and they're still not ready. Then, I tried to make an emergency appointment as was told that, no, they aren't doing any emergency appointments and to phone 111. I phoned 111 and they said to book a GP appointment or go to A&E - but I obviously can't book a GP appointment because they said no. I received the letter saying I should book my son in for his one year vaccinations. When I tried to book, they said they aren't doing vaccinations due to Covid - but everywhere is encouraging parents to still vaccinate during Covid. I'm due a smear test - can't book it "due to Covid". I've had issues with my GP in the past, for example they refuse to provide contraception at all - they tell me to go to a private sexual health clinic about half an hour away instead, and I needed a medical check done for a new job and they flat-out refused. It's very difficult to get an appointment at the best of times with the receptionist demanding to know every minute detail in order to decide whether or not you're "worthy". This was all prior to Covid. AIBU to think they should be doing appointments now? Are other GPs back up and running?

They should see you, technically they aren't allowed to "not see you" per say. Are they trying to say no to you due to any other reason at all? If you're unsure try to find out.

I think now that GP surgery's are run like private businesses

They've always been private businesses since the NHS was formed. It's nothing new. Most GP's have been self employed right back since the 1940s and even earlier before the NHS was formed.

My surgery has been running fine. If you ring and ask for an appointment you get a scheduled phone call from one of the GPs. If the GP wants to see you in person or have you come in for a test they book you in themselves and have full PPE for your visit. My oldest son and I have both been able to get good care from our GPs in the last two months this way. I think you should change surgeries. There is no point in being registered at the closest one if you can't get any care from them.

To those of you complaining about giving information to a person who is “not medically trained”. Your doctor who is medically trained has asked them to ask you for this. If you trust your doctors opinion just get over yourself and talk to tell the receptionist what you need!

@iffymiffy

To those of you complaining about giving information to a person who is “not medically trained”. Your doctor who is medically trained has asked them to ask you for this. If you trust your doctors opinion just get over yourself and talk to tell the receptionist what you need!

No

[quote ToftyAC]@MitziK
I’ve had flu jabs all weird times of the year... I was offered one just about pre lockdown (by a few days) and was told to rearrange ASAP. 🤷‍♀️[/quote]
I get mine within the first week of release due to the other medications I take - the new version normally comes out in September, the rest of the time it's the previous September's version. I asked specifically about it in case they were already taking bookings or it was earlier this year and she said it's still looking like September at present.

@iffymiffy

To those of you complaining about giving information to a person who is “not medically trained”. Your doctor who is medically trained has asked them to ask you for this. If you trust your doctors opinion just get over yourself and talk to tell the receptionist what you need!

Errr, no! If I am phoning the surgery with regard to a medical issue rather than an administrative one I want to be able to discuss it with a medical professional - the GP or sometimes the nurse.

I do not want to discuss it with someone who is not medically trained and is very often manning a fairly public reception desk in the middle of a waiting room. Not because I don't like them and not because I am trying to rude or awkward, but they are not trained to make the necessary decisions and should not be doing any form of triage. I want to discuss my issues with the GP, not with anyone else.

@TommyJoesMummy

Thanks *@MitziK*, although I have to say I don’t get some of that. Religion as a reason to fail as a medical practice is poor. I’m a Catholic, and on the pill. I listen to others and respect their wishes, I don’t think a doctors religion or beliefs should go against patient care or treatment options, else they shouldn’t be practicing, surely?

It was very important for them to have the exemption, apparently. Even in hospitals, there are gynaecologists who have the right to say whether or not they will perform terminations at all, for what reasons (ie, they might perform them for abnormalities) and at what stage (below 12, 14, 18 weeks (ie, prior to the anomaly scan which also happens to ascertain fetal sex), etc). And nursing/theatre staff can refuse to assist.

It doesn't really matter if we think it's bollocks or not, they have the legal right to do so and some do. As long as they can direct a patient to somewhere else that does offer the service/treatment/procedure (eg, a Sexual health Clinic or another consultant), they're acting within the law.

The reception staff are answering calls and not even allowed to process prescription requests they have to ring the pharmacy, do it online or bring the repeat into the pharmacy! This isn’t helpful to the elderly, isolating and at risk group at all they then ring the pharmacy to print out the request take it to the surgery & issue the prescription & as you so rightly pointed out they are now able to do this in 24 hours rather than the usual 72 hours as they are doing not a lot else. While pharmacy staff are still doing excessively more work & are also taking the brunt of the complaints.

I still don't get why people are so cadgy about talking to the receptionist. It is only so they can get the appropriate person to deal with the issue. Ie Practice nurse for wound care, minor illnesses Nurse for rashes etc etc. It is just part of their job.

I recently changed gps (since lockdown).and have had baby's immunisations, contraceptive appt with the nurse, an in person 6 week and other (same day) phone appts regarding my baby. All of these were belated as i misguidedly thought they were not proceeding with routine imms etc. Now i know its being prioritised.

They are offering initial phone/ Vid calls as triage to ascertain whether face to face appointment is neccessary

Christ you sound like hard work OP. If you generally speak to receptionists, your GP or anyone else for that matter the way you've spoken to people on here then maybe you should consider why you don't get the response you feel so entitled to

@PunkrockerGirl59

Christ you sound like hard work OP. If you generally speak to receptionists, your GP or anyone else for that matter the way you've spoken to people on here then maybe you should consider why you don't get the response you feel so entitled to

Yep!