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?

Ours has been shocking throughout this really. My friend couldn’t get a face to face with her Gp for her 3 week old even after she was told to by her community MW.

Saying that our surgery is still doing baby jabs! To be jabs is something I would keep pushing to have!

Baby imms should never have been stopped, and you should be able to get a telephone consultation at the. Wet least then seen if required. I'd contact the practice manager and if no joy the CCG

GP surgeries get paid "per person" on their books, not based on number of appointments nor treatments, so there's really no incentive for them to get back to normal.

There've been a few posts on here from locums (and their spouses) that they're really suffering because there's no demand, as GP surgeries simply don't need them at the moment. That's money the GP surgeries aren't paying out, yet they're still getting the money in "per patient".

Other providers, like opticians need to re-open as they've no income otherwise - they get paid according to work done, not "per patient".

That's the difference!

It’s is the gradual privatisation of the NHS, they are using covid to their advantage. My GP has an online system whereby you can only book an telephone appointment. Nothing else, with a long list of treatments available privately all of which were carried out in the surgery before. Very underhand.

It does seem very variable.

Vaccinations are being done where we are and we've had no problem getting appointments ( telephone if that's adequate, face to face when that's been more appropriate).

Blood tests are available too.

Can you change surgeries OP?

It’s is the gradual privatisation of the NHS, they are using covid to their advantage. My GP has an online system whereby you can only book an telephone appointment. Nothing else, with a long list of treatments available privately all of which were carried out in the surgery before. Very underhand.

GPs have been privatised since the start of the NHS. It's nothing new. Most GP surgeries have always been private businesses with the GP partners being self employed. What has changed over the years is how the GP practices are funded which has led to them reducing services that should be done under the "per patient per year" funding and increasing services that they get paid extra to do.

@DrPatient

I feel like they're just using it to make money because they still receive the same amount of funding but have an excuse not to provide anything. Because they're private organisations, the NHS/government can't force them to provide any healthcare.

While it sounds like they aren't providing a great service - it isn't true that they aren't accountable.

I would try and change practices if you can - they could and should be doing some stuff and telling you to ring 111 is ludicrous unless they are seriously depleted of clinicians who are ill/isolating and unable to wfh.

@HUCKMUCK Thank you for your advice - could you explain how I can hold them to account? I've tried to make a complaint previously to my CCG and NHS England but they both say that GP surgeries are private and independent so they don't accept complaints about them. Who can I make a complaint to so they can be held to account?

It might be receptionists blocking access they've been enjoying their new powers

I'd be inclined to phone back and insist on appointments for the vaccinations and smear and see what happens. Ask to be put through to the practice manager if the receptionist still refuses, saying it's an essential service and must be carried out, so how are they arranging for it to be done? It will be interesting to see if they back down if you are a bit more assertive about it.

I thought my smear was due next year but saw the other day that it's actually this September so it will be interesting to see if I can get mine booked or not. As far as I know our surgery is triaging everything by phone/video call but seeing people if they need to.

That’s bonkers that you can’t get jabs or your smear. We’re doing those and have been throughout at the surgery I work for. I do know that at least one of the regional hub labs switched from running smears to doing the Covid testing so that may have been an impact in your area.

Our GPs have been good,I have had phone appointments ,and 2ww referral.I've just recently had a blood test as well.(I've had other hospital appointments /phone consultations about other problems as well,its been a very efficient experience for me )
Those of you comparing with Dentists and Opticians, yes they are back but seeing a reduced - possibly much reduced - volume of patients. PPE (aprons and gloves) have to be changed and rooms and equipment have to be cleaned between patients
The more people GPs can deal with by phone,the more time they will have for seeing the people they have to see "in the flesh".I don'r see how it'd be feasible to go back to the normal volume of people actually in the surgery.And only so many will fit in a socially distanced waiting room.
Having said that there should be a proper phone service and emergency stuff done ( and where I am that's happening)

Well, no. I phoned to book and emergency appointment because I needed an emergency appointment and they said they aren't offering any emergency appointments.

I’ll ask again since you ignored it the first time. Have you actually asked them when the next available appointment is? As in non-emergency?

Because it really sounds like you asked for emergency, they don’t do them at the moment, so you seem to think that means you can’t have any appointments at all

My surgery (in Scotland) is still not doing any routine appointments like smear tests. Mine was already a bit overdue when lockdown started so I'm starting to get worried.

Hi OP, are they not even offering telephone appointments? My local surgery are doing phone appointments and then prioritising who needs to be seen in person.
Obviously any GP speaking with you might well need to see you in person so would arrange that once they had spoken to you.

I find this very worrying. Doctors regularly dealt with infectious and contagious conditions without the need for PPE let alone closing the surgery totally. I'm inclined to feel we are not being told the whole truth.

I had an appointment which I needed on the day, and explained the situation to receptionist, nurse rang back to triage and say yes I needed antibiotics so the GP would call me, GP rang and I explained it all again and she sent prescription to pharmacy.

They also rang me last week to organise DD2 1 yr vaccinations.

@heartsonacake I'll respond explicitly because you can't read where it's very, very clearly implied by my OP. They cancelled my non-emergency appointment and said they'd let me know when I can rebook it. That was in March. I phoned twice since to rebook that non-emergency appointment and they said they weren't ready yet to do non-emergency appointments. I then called about a separate emergency issue and they said they aren't doing any emergency appointments either. There is no "next appointment" because they aren't booking any.
I'm sorry that you've confused yourself but there's really no need for your passive-aggressive "I'm so clever and you're so stupid" tone. My OP very clearly shows I've tried to book emergency appointments and non-emergency appointments and been told they aren't doing them on both occasions. That's why I "seem to think that means I can’t have any appointments at all". They aren't doing regular check ups, they aren't doing repeat appointments, they aren't doing vaccinations, they aren't doing emergency appointments, they aren't doing non-emergency appointments - which kind of appointment do you think I'm missing?!

I’ve read all that, honey. I stand by what I’ve said. Lockdown has only just eased, so now things are getting back to normal, have you asked for a regular appointment? In the last week?

@heartsonacake I am not responding to you - your attitude, behaviour and language is patronising, pathetic and unhelpful. Please toddle off and bully people elsewhere. Have fun being big and clever. For the record, July started six days ago, so I can't have contacted them in July (like I said in my OP) and it not have been within the last week. Imagine being the smartest person on Mumsnet and not knowing there are seven days in a week.

Our GP has been very good . Doing phone appointments where at all possible and blood tests etc. No major problems at all .

I'm due to repeat a smear (inconclusive or somesuch) and a follow up bloodtest which are both deemed non essential. That said they are doing vaccinations as my DT's got their's done last month.

I'd agree that it's patchy.

In my experience, the NHS will do everything they can to put barriers in place regarding treatment, tests etc.

The only place I actually find pleasant and helpful is the eye hospital.

I can see many services not being provided again due to this pandemic. The NHS will use the backlog as an excuse to avoid doing other procedures and restrict services even further.

My GP surgery abandoned my care four months ago (twice a month appointments for a deterioating life threatening medical condition) and told me to sheild and phone in medical emergency but not if it related to long term condition(!) and only after being triaged by 111 to see if it was really needed.

The process, if 111 say phone is you are then triaged AGAIN by a nurse at the practice via phone who then decides if you get a phone call or zoom appointment. If, and 99% are assumed to not need this option, you need to actually be seen then there are several steps to go through.

They cannot ring me as they withhold their number "for confidentiality reasons". Witheld numbers are blocked on my phones because police and GP insisted it was done to protect me from abuse. My device won't run zoom. So I've had zero care in months. My benefits are due to be renewed and I've literally no one to put on the form to support my application.

Social services/mh team also ended all support as well, putting me on weekly phone support. Again impossible due to witheld number issue.

They've been told to steep withholding numbers as vulnerable people are advised to block them (111 for example can phone you back with 111 showing so it is possible though you need to ask for that) and all I've had is a letter saying phones are the responsibility of private companies not the NHS/social services/local authority.

Last month they announced they will continue this system until January 2022

No one gives a shit. Neither now do I. I accept it'll all be dealt with at inquest. I won't survive almost two years with my health conditions and zero help and support.

I believe that if a complaint about a GP practice can't be resolved by the practice, the next step is to complain to NHS England.

I can kind of understand them not offering emergency appointments, tbh. A&E is the appropriate place to go in an emergency.