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?

Provision seems very patchy, for example I was offered face to face Gp appointments in April/May when I was suicidal. My dr Sil's practice have done vitamin B12 injections throughout (possibly because Dr Sil has them herself).

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

They should be able to work around that. My psychiatrist phones me from a mobile number which shows up absolutely fine. When I worked with vulnerable people we had a work mobile because most people wouldn't answer withheld numbers. It's a known issue.

I needed a medical check done for a new job and they flat-out refused

That’s not unreasonable of the surgery in the slightest. Work medicals are not included in the GP contract - GPs are not contracted by the government to provide work medicals.

A GP surgery can choose to perform medicals privately, with a charge (£60-£100 would be normal), but if they’re struggling to provide all the NHS services they are contracted to provide, which it sounds like your surgery is, then they are quite right to turn down private work. NHS work has to come first.

Also, when you ring up, are you speaking to a GP or just a receptionist?

At the surgeries near me, receptionists currently are not allowed to give out Face to face appointments - in order to get one of those you have to first have a telephone appointment with a GP, who decides whether there is a clinical need for you to be seen in person.

If I were you, I would ask for a telephone appointment with a GP - they’ll be able to make you a face to face appointment if it’s possible and you need one.

I am still unable to book my smear that was due at the end of March

Regarding vaccinations, in some areas of the country CCGs quite literally took child imms out of GP surgeries’ hands back in March/April - they were told to stop doing them, and that they would be provided centrally instead.

(I know several practice nurses who were really frustrated by this, as they felt they could provide them safely, plus it left them with hardly any work to do)

@rosiethehen

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.

This is true unfortunately

Change GP surgery and let them know why.

To be clear, by "emergency appointment", I mean a medical issue that needs to be seen that day or the day after (like tonsillitis) rather than a non-emergency (like vaccinations or routine blood tests). These are sometimes called an "urgent" appointment. I'm not referring to a full-on medical emergency like a heart attack.

Have you tried asking for a telephone appointment with a GP? At many surgeries, receptionists aren’t currently allowed to give out appointments of any kind - only GPs are following a telephone consultation to assess clinical need.

dinosauratemydaffodils I was told to unblock it or it's tough. Same went for GP. They can get around it but refuse to. Having spent months trying to sort something I give up now.

I found out last week when I tried to get help from MP/cab that mh team and GP are lying they're speaking to me. They aren't, but no ones going to believe me over them. I asked them to tell the truth they refused (presumably because they'd get in trouble).

Given up now. Hopeless.

(Ps I love your username!)

Cant change GP surgery here. There's a block in place until current crisis is over (assumption here is January 2022). Even if you did it wouldn't make a difference I know other local surgeries have the same policy.

Have you tried the public services ombudsman OP?

@lydia7986

Also, when you ring up, are you speaking to a GP or just a receptionist?

At the surgeries near me, receptionists currently are not allowed to give out Face to face appointments - in order to get one of those you have to first have a telephone appointment with a GP, who decides whether there is a clinical need for you to be seen in person.

If I were you, I would ask for a telephone appointment with a GP - they’ll be able to make you a face to face appointment if it’s possible and you need one.

And receptionists are loving their increased powers

I agree about rationing by stealth, mentioned in a previous comment.

my surgery is using '`ask my gp' now.
I rang to make an appointment for a medication review with my doctor.
receptionist told me she could give me a telephone appointment with my doctor by Monday (today).
however, she forced me to use 'ask my gp' where I got a botched afternoon of a stranger calling me who kept hanging up when I answered the phone.
once he got through he had no idea who I was, spoke to me like I was an idiot, and that was that.

it would have been far easier to review my dedication over one phone call with my gp on the Monday.

the first jobs that will go when this is kept on is that of the receptionists.

its cost cutting at the detriment of patient care and comfort, and being implemented as a way to help covid.

but who's to bet it aint going away if covid does?

Are other GPs back up and running?

GP surgeries have been 'back up and running' all the way through this pandemic- they never closed their doors! I am in SE London, maybe the practices locally are different to other parts of the country? Although I doubt it.

They were even open on the bank holidays over Easter and early May bank holiday.

It is disgusting that Covid is still being used as an excuse for the NHS poor management. Thousands more will likely die of the negligence during this time towards serious ailments other than covid. Private is the only real way of getting things done now.

And receptionists are loving their increased powers

Increased? Receptionists’ ‘power’ has, if anything, decreased.

Virtually all surgeries have been operating triage systems throughout this pandemic in which decisions about who gets an appointment are made solely by GPs...

Sounds like you need a blood test to check if you are anaemic- the surgery should be able to book you a telephone appointment with a GP who can then arrange the necessary blood tests.

If reception cannot arrange a telephone appointment for you, I suggest you ask to discuss this with the practice manager.

please don't fucking tell me that becoming more like America is a solution to this problem.

this is obviously intended to make us throw the towel in.
we are paying for the NHS, the gov and management are underfunding it.
I would rather pay higher taxes for a free and good service than become like the USA.

a disgusting solution, I presume you'd be ok paying thousands for an ambulance then?

My GP surgery has said they’re planning on never reinstating automatic access to face to face appointments, and planning similar for all hospital care initially . I’m due to have bladder pressure studies, which means they can’t socially distance at all, so have been told not to expect that to be done before Christmas . Funnily enough a Secretary phoned and said, are you still wanting those tests as I’ve now been waiting a year ? Funnily enough I didn’t ask for them, a doctor did.

They aren't having any appointments - by phone or in person. Nothing. They've said that they will contact me when they're able to resume.
@TurquoiseDress I am anaemic. I get my medication for 90 days, then they wait 30 days without medication and check my levels with a blood test. I was due to have the check at the end of March. I haven't been on my medication since the end of February. They won't give me a test to check my levels or to see if I need to be back on my medication.

Could you speak to the practice manager? Discuss it with them and make a complaint?
I think we are very lucky with our practice, they have been open the whole time for phone consultations and very quickly restarted routine appointments.
I can’t understand how they keep turning you away, it sounds like they aren’t seeing anybody at all which is very strange.
I’m assuming you can’t change practices at the moment?
If they still won’t see you do you have an out of hours emergency type service locally available? Otherwise what alternative do you have but A&E sadly.

Our GP practice have been offering telephone /video consultations throughout the lockdown. Also face to face appointments when considered necessary - have to ring on arrival and wait in car until doctor calls back to say they are ready to see you.

@Beatrixpotterspencil huh? What? Who said anything about the US? This problem is largely caused by the fact that GPs are private so, to fix it, we'd need to be less like the US. I'm not really sure why you're having a go?

Our gp are offering econsult services, but u less you look at their web site you wouldn't know. You pop everything in there including photos and a doctor gets back to you by the end of the next day. Obv if it's urgent you phone the surgery.

I've used the econsult twice now and been impressed with it.

@DrPatient I was of course replying to the PP who said 'all we can do is go private now'
that is not a solution, I'm sure you'd agree.