GP practice "not offering appointments"

[Darkestseasonofall]

This is a new low. Just called to make an appointment to be told they aren't doing any for the foreseeable future.
If it's an emergency you can call on the day and try to get a telephone consultation, but that's it.
I can see a huge rise in people attending ED in appropriately or just becoming very ill with avoidable things.
This isn't NHS bashing, I'm a nurse, but I can't understand how primary care can just opt out of 90% of their contract.
AIBU to think this is just silly?

Ours aren’t even answering the phone 🤷🏼‍♀️ It’s not even like they are engaged it’s just ringing and ringing. I had to go and knock on the door for something that could have been sorted in 2 minutes over the phone. They’ve also not done face to face since March

My GP surgery had had a no appointment system for a few years now. you always have to call up on the day. Which means the phones are jammed at 8 am.

Now they are not taking any appointments at all. I am in a situation where i submitted a repeat prescription for contraception to my pharmacy and it was rejected because they sent it up to the GP to verify and the GP said it was time for me to have my blood pressure checked again before prescribing - but they are not taking appointments! I have been without contraception for 5-6 weeks now.

^^@MrsHookey

“I agree. Not sure what GPs are being paid for right now. I called my GP one Friday and was told they were busy and I should call 111 instead. It's a joke. Every other healthcare professional is in the thick of practise.”

Do you not think they were maybe just...busy? And not pretending to be busy so they didn’t have to see you? If everyone who called up wanting to be seen for a squashed finger (?) was given an appointment I don’t think I’d ever leave the building.

I'm always amazed at how people's lived experiences are dismissed on these threads by HCPs.
Pretty much my experience if I manage to actually get a F2F appointment too.
I've not been to the doctor for around 2 years (apart from scheduled coil change) so I'm obviously not one of those people that just "wants a chat"
As per previous posters, I'm an intelligent, educated woman who self cares where possible.
I'm absolutely disgusted that people are constantly fobbed off and treated as an inconvenience.
Something needs to change. Covid is here to stay and people NEED to be able to access the services that THEY pay for.
I have a family member that was going to die alone on a hospital ward. Thank god he's now in a hospice so we can actually comfort him.
It's all broken and funding is not the issue at all. The NHS is bloated, top heavy and poorly run. GPs should be integrated, and held to account if they deliver a shoddy service.

Our local GP (in one of lowest Covid areas in the UK) repeatedly fobbed my DC off with 3 phone consultations over 3 weeks for the same nasty infection- the GP would not see them F2F.
Three failed courses of antibiotics later, my DC went away to uni (in a higher covid area) where the GP there did a F2F appointment immediately, took a swab, put them on new antibiotics based on the F2F appointment and DC is now better.

Two very different approaches.

One was worse than google, the other behaved like a caring GP.

There should be some oversight. It’s like the Wild West where GP surgeries apparently do as much or as little actual F2F medical care as they wish.

I am in tier 3 and being haunted to go in for a smear. 👀 I keep repeating that I will wait till after new years. I also had good phone consultation for antibiotics earlier.

Also, isn't offloading about patients supposed to happen within a patient confidentiality surroundings so between GP and their counsellors?

My GP surgery is same as most PPs in that you call on the same day for an appointment.
Lines open at 830am
It was 2pm before I eventually got through after constantly hitting redial
To be told - you should have called at 830 can you call back tomorrow

I was due to run out of contraception The next week and only needed a repeat prescription.
I haven’t had my blood pressure taken in over a year due to Covid.
Eventually managed to get a repeat prescription over phone sent via email to local pharmacy.

Told my next review will be December when I should be able to get blood pressure tested ( won’t hold my breath for that )

Surely for repeat prescription we could just fill in an online form ?
This would leave the phone line open for actual medical issues.
I dread the day when one of us Or DC actually has tonsillitis or something needing urgent antibiotics etc and can’t get through on the line whilst sitting feverish and in pain.

And the posters saying “ go to your pharmacist “
No this is ridiculous , any minor ailments I just google and then purchase myself from pharmacist

Things like tonsillitis/ conjunctivitis ( most common things my DC encounter ) only a doctor can prescribe the antibiotics so it’s back to the stress of trying to get thru on the phone lines. It’s extremely stressful just sitting redialing.

My smear test is overdue too , no information on when these will be up and running.

All dentists still on emergency only

So basically zero healthcare unless it’s an A & E emergency is how I feel our system is right now.

I think it is quite absurd how they are wrapping themselves in cocoons quite honestly. I'm an NHS podiatrist and have been working full on right through this epidemic doing clinics, home visits, hospital visits everything.
I have not had the opportunity not to see people throughout this as it's my job.
I have medical problems myself and I've had to use minor injuries as a GP surgery the while time. Its ridiculous.

Oh yes and I've lost two teeth over lockdown as I've been unable to access ANY dental treatment or antibiotics for the horrendous abcess I had for three while months. The pain was dreadful. By the time I did access a dentist 2 weeks ago the teeth had to be removed which they would not had I had antibiotics in time.
Minor injuries locally are not issuing antibiotics for dental problems.

I didn’t think gps were supposed to discuss conversations they have with their patients

Really worrying how little your dd knows about mental health and how cold and dismissive she is to a probable desperate parent

Exactly this. Its always revealing when people gossip about their patients/clients/customers. Firstly because in some professions its particularly important they don't do it, partly because their choice of victim tells you a lot about their own prejudices.

This is a person who presumably aspires to be the gateway to mental health care for their patients rather than wall of barbed wire.

Ours is shocking since Covid started. You are not allowed to call into the surgery at all. The doors are locked with notices telling you to go away as they are not accepting anyone without an appointment.

You ring and listen to a pre-recorded spiel about Covid which basically says if you have any of the symptoms contact 111 and do not bother GP.
Then you listen to a spiel about how you can speak to a receptionist and may be offered a telephone appointment but can not request a face-to-face appointment.

The receptionist asks what is the matter - does not want details just general idea- and decides whether you can have a telephone appointment.

The GP then rings you- usually the same day but not always- and after a conversation either writes a prescription sent to chemist, or asks you to go to the surgery for a face to face (although I don't know anyone who has been to the surgery).

I had to have an annual blood test and was treated like a leper at the surgery. Not allowed in until minutes before supposed appt, not allowed to sit in waiting area- they only have one patient in the building at a time.
Had to wear mask, sanitise hands etc. Cleaner on hand who disinfected everything as I went in to see nurse. I was told off by the nurse for putting my arm on the desk so she could take the blood- instead a plastic covered pillow was put on my knee. As I left the cleaner followed, disinfecting everything behind me.

You can no longer order a prescription by phone- have to have an online account or can post a prescription order in a box outside.

They have now bought in a company from Sweden who do phone and zoom-type appointments with Drs who don't work for the practice and are employed by the Swedish company. 22,000 of these appointments a year will be in place.

No house calls any more. No clinics.

I wonder what the 4 GPs, several nurses and health visitors and admin staff are doing now? Any ideas?

I personally think that the effective exemption that GPs got during the creation of the NHS has outlived its usefulness

I suspect most people do not realise that the "National" has always been largely privatised and was hobbled for the benefit of GP/Consultants private practices.

There is a lot of contractual/regulatory requirements in place but most patients seeking medical help in a time of need are not going to know them, or have the means to use them. Especially when they are then guilt tripped about overloading the "N"HS.

GPs not offering appointments is commonplace at the moment, contractual requirement or not. Ditto many outpatient and ancillary services normally delivered in primary care.
Other practices are clearly going the extra mile.

The problem is the massive inconsistency both in level and quality of service and in some cases unwillingness by the GP business to account for their own decisions on purchasing and services.

@madcatladyforever you say you are a podiatrist and have been fully busy during this time. I suppose that’s with patients referred to you by GPs? Who’ve been working then. I’m sorry to hear about the dental issues, especially losing two teeth. Dentists did provide emergency service throughout, or at least that’s my understanding.

@bettythebuilder I’m sorry to hear about your dad. It was so recent and you must feel devastated 🥀

@LuluJakey1 it’s interesting to read that the obviously thorough measures your surgery are taking to prevent infection are seen as a nuisance by you.

Regarding the taking over of appointments by a foreign company, how do you feel about it? Do you think it’ll improve things?

I can’t understand why some people are having to wait to get their blood pressure taken! unbelievable!

I’ve been able to continue receiving my 8 weekly medication at the hospital. Temp checked before being allowed on the ward, blood pressure etc taken before medication given.

I had a water infection during lockdown. Had to go through the pharmacy first to take the 3 day antibiotic, as per procedure now. Didn’t work. Managed to get a call back from a nurse at the surgery, who prescribed a longer course. Was told it would be waiting at the pharmacy. Went to collect, pharmacy said nope, hadn’t received. Needed then to queue outside to speak to the gatekeeper at GP surgery.

Rather than just quickly check, gatekeeper said I’d have to call the surgery (receptionist sat right behind her) and we all know how long it takes to get through!! So, stood outside, feeling like shit trying to call the person I can see, literally metres away from me!

In the end the same gatekeeper must have had a change of heart, asked me to step inside the ivory tower while she checked for me. All then sorted!

I just found the whole situation utterly ridiculous!

I don’t think individual GP surgeries make their own decisions regarding services they contract. I’m not sure how it works but it’s more complicated.

@EmmaWithTheGreatHair which whole situation was ridiculous? Until the last bit with the gatekeeper (never heard of that!) all seemed to have run quite smoothly.

[quote LadyWithLapdog]@LuluJakey1 it’s interesting to read that the obviously thorough measures your surgery are taking to prevent infection are seen as a nuisance by you.

Regarding the taking over of appointments by a foreign company, how do you feel about it? Do you think it’ll improve things?[/quote]
No, don't think infection control measures are a nuisance, just wonder why when have sanitised hands, am wearing a mask, am only patient in building, and cleaner following me cleaning everything I touch, I am not allowed to sit on a chair in the waiting room? Also, all doors, including treatment room door are propped open so that you do not touch them- even though cleaner cleans the handle after you walk through the doorway.

@LuluJakey1 Ah, I see. You’re right. It does sound overkill.

[quote LadyWithLapdog]@LuluJakey1 it’s interesting to read that the obviously thorough measures your surgery are taking to prevent infection are seen as a nuisance by you.

Regarding the taking over of appointments by a foreign company, how do you feel about it? Do you think it’ll improve things?[/quote]
The whole idea of speaking to a dr I have never met who does not know me nor me them, whose ability I have no idea of, is very unappealing to me. It is not what I want from a GP- my understanding if a GP is it is a community based -service, not something done by someone sitting in a room in Sweden or somewhere else in the world.

I want a GP I am familiar with, who knows me and who I feel confident and comfortable talking to, who knows our local services. I am concerned about who these people are, their skills, their motivation and commitment to their job and patients, their knowledge of local available services, their know.edge and understanding of a patient's health background/ previous conditions/treatments, how this work is knitted into the work of the practice GPs, what the communication, discussion level is between them.

I don't like the idea at all. It has raised lots of concern locally. One of the GPs has been on TV saying 'We are providing choice for our patients. They told us they would like more available appointments and we are providing them'.

I genuinely have no idea what our GPs do if they are not doing face to face appointments, clinics of house-calls.

@LadyWithLapdog you’re right, the whole situation wasn’t utterly ridiculous, some of it was absolutely fucking ridiculous!

Gatekeepers are those who go above and beyond silly with the rules. Just my take on it

I rang my surgery on Thursday and I am now waiting for a telephone call from a GP on....Wednesday. Months into this pandemic and that's the level my doctors surgery are operating at. I think it suits them to be honest. I wonder when/if it will ever return to normal.

@EmmaWithTheGreatHair ok.

@LuluJakey1 I haven’t heard of that type of outsourcing, if that’s the word. I want the same from my surgery as you. I only need them a couple of times a year, but there’s 5 of us, so it still feels like frequent contact, and I have an idea of each of the GPs there. My DH has an issue for which continuity of care is important, the rest of us not so much.

Yes, 5 of us too including 3 small children. What about elderly patients who live alone - it is not good for them.

I am so disappointed with our GPs. We entrust our healthcare to them- I can't think if anything more valuable we entrust to anyone (if that's the right expression). And they are farming it out to some service where I fear it will be quick turnover if staff, inexperienced staff who have been unable to get GP jobs and staff who have been 'let go' or who are lazy GPs.

I’ve just googled it, is that Livi GP?