Can anyone actually see a GP in person nowadays?

[Newstart20]

I've had an ongoing ear infection for two weeks now (diagnosed over the phone) which hasn't cleared despite the GP doubling my antibiotics (probably due to having compromised immune system). It's now worsening again and a locum GP has suggested someone should actually look in my ear. The GP surgery are not happy and keep saying they are treating people over the phone. I can't believe this is considered good enough .

Is this the case everywhere at the moment?

My practice shut for all face to face consultations, ALL.

Not been able to see a doctor since Feb when I developed skin irritations/rashes. Nurses ask for pictures to be sent and seem as clueless as I do when it comes to diagnosing it. Maybe I’m just crap at taking pictures 😂.

The rashes/irritations are getting so bad that it’s affecting my confidence/sleep etc... but the GP’s don’t seem interested 🤷🏻‍♀️.

I’ve done several online consultations but most of the time just get a standard response back.

Not sure how to move forward.

My surgery isn't doing any face2face- they are sending to A&e if they triage and decide you need to be seen in person. They are also not doing any blood or other tests.

I am nearly 6months overdue for an urgent blood test for a condition which could leave me in a coma if not well managed by medication

The GPs here have been amazing and doing appointments throughout, however it absolutely doesnt surprise me that this sadly isn't the case everywhere. Can you try and get an out of hours GP appointment at a walk in centre via 111 OP? Not that you should have to, but if you call 111 when the doctor's are closed they might be able to sort one.

I saw one today.

My asthma has flared up and I had a phone appointment this morning. The doctor said she wanted to check my blood oxygen levels so made an in-person appointment for me later in the day.

My surgery isn't doing any face2face- they are sending to A&e if they triage and decide you need to be seen in person. They are also not doing any blood or other tests.

Blimey that's ridiculous! What are thinking, how is sending people to A&E for triage safer than either doing a phone triage call back or having people into the surgery . Sorry for posters who have to deal with this madness, absolutely scandalous.

No and I need a blood test ive ordered a repeat prescription which should flag up with them i haven't had a blood test so we shall see

Would it vary if some GPs are classed as extremely vulnerable?

I know a hospital dr scoped my ears and sinuses recently in just ordinary PPE N95 and apron gloves, so I can't see why a GP couldn't

@LadyWithLapdog

Dear God, can we stop with this fear mongering? GPs are seeing patients in person, when needed. Nurses are seeing patients in person, when needed. So are hospital doctors etc.

I don't regard it as scaremongering. Our gp surgery is only offering phone appointments, and you only get one of those once the receptionist is satisfied that you need it. When dh needed to be seen a few weeks ago, the receptionist told him that the doctors were only calling urgent cases and his symptoms didn't sound as though they warranted an appointment. I made dh call back and insist on an appointment. Luckily, he spoke to a different receptionist who wasn't happy with his symptoms and promised to get a gp to call. GP then sent dh straight to hospital where it was discovered that dh's chronic condition had suddenly escalated and dh was seriously ill. Thankfully, he was treated and has made a good recovery. The consultant told him that another 24 hours and it could have had a very different outcome. I would be surprised to hear that dh is the only person who has potentially been put at risk because gps are not operating as normal.

I've had my share of ear problems, including a seemingly never ending infection. Sometimes getting the right drugs to clear it can take a few goes even if you have seen a GP. I can imagine the first thing they would do even if you went in is prescribe anti-biotics. But in my experience oral antibiotics are not particularly good for treating ears. If that's what you've been given I would request they prescribe you antibiotic drops and if that doesn't clear it then ask for an ent referral if the gp can't see you. ENTs are seeing people, well mine is, but I think he is also trying to do as much as possible by phone.

Ours are seeing people when needed and have been for weeks now.

Ours do phone consultations, treat remotely where possible but also see people in person when needed.

My surgery is doing a fair job in the circumstances in my opinion.

I think they are mostly phone calls but will see patients if there isn't another way. So I have had a few phone consultations even with sending photos and video chat with them but no face to face appointments. The main thing I've been ringing about is my 2 Yr olds eczema that we can't seem to control but they aren't worried enough to need to see the rash in person. If the gp knows they need to look at your ear they really ought to invite you in!

I'm a GP and I see tens of people every day. All triaged by phone, you can't just book in to discuss your earwax but if an examination needs to be done or anything is concerning we bring people in.

If people have Covid symptoms and need to be seen we book them into a 'hot' clinic that will only see people with a fever/cough to stop them mixing with other patients. If people have Covid symptoms and don't need to be seen, we tell them to book a test.

Sometimes we send people straight to ED if it's clear there isn't any benefit seeing them in a GP clinic, I.E they think they are having a heart attack or stroke.

I think GP surgeries vary, but I don't know any that aren't seeing patients

Only phone calls here. Since March. Utter disgrace. I can't accept that this is ok now.

Yep just seen a gp this afternoon in person regarding my daughters anxiety.

I had a face to face today (following on from a phone appointment last week). I’ve had blood tests and DS has had his ear checked by the nurse in person. DH has also had a face to face after he had a video call first.
They were an excellent surgery for getting appointments Pre COVID and I think they are doing pretty well now too

I've been having weekly in-person check-ups for an ongoing illness for about 4 months now. Each week, face to face with a GP. GP says they're seeing people when needed and the phone calls have allowed them to be much more efficient and triage more easily.

I saw on Twitter that GPs are going to be tested for covid twice a week. Why - they never see anyone in person! Use the tests for more useful people, like teachers or care workers.

Yep, I had my smear a month ago. Results awaited. They did stop doing them in first lockdown, nurse today said to me that they were willing to do them but the lab stopped processing them for a while. I dunno if that's true? They were doing bloods etc during that time.

I had problems in the first week getting blood tests done because I had a fever and cough and couldn't get a covid test to prove it was/wasn't it. And I needed the blood test that day but there wasn't a system. They called after a couple of days of me chasing them to find a solution but it was a bit late by then, my housemate had taken the bloods. But now they seem to have a car park system for feverish or covid patients. I guess that first week noone knew what they were doing.

My friend changed surgery this week to mine. Called about her ear wax. Got seen by the gp an hour later and an urgent ENT appointment the next day. It wasn't ear wax.

The gp had to practically beg my dad to come in about his gut symptoms. Again got an urgent referral as she was worried it might be cancer. It wasn't. But I can't fault them there.

Just those blood tests that I really needed. But the district nurses weren't doing them and the hospital phlebotomy dept had closed. So they really needed to do it for me. Compulsory bloods that my consultant needed and told the gp they had to do it

Volcan :
"I think GP surgeries vary, but I don't know any that aren't seeing patients"

I don't know anyone/any surgery that IS!

My MN PN group, 30 women across the UK, my mum, all my friends. Probably 100+ women.

None have GP's seeing anyone.

So, I don't think it's the norm.

My surgery has been excellent through out. Our family have had more appointments than usual this year and I was able to prebook appointments for a smear, a blood test, Depo injection (x 2) and DS's Yr9 vaccinations. DH and I have both had same day appointments, triaged by phone in the morning followed by same day in person appointment. It really does depend on your surgery / location which is really unfair.

My surgery is unfortunately the same. My dd has been having problems with her chest. She had the same in 2018 and was prescribed inhalers. Then it went away so was told no need to have them again.
Contacted gp yesterday and was put on a list. A prescriber rang me and said he'd fax a script for an inhaler to the pharmacy but as he was not clinical could not diagnose or suggest anything more. Have been told to just keep ringing everyday and hopefully a gp will suggest something or refer her for an asthma assessment and if she gets worse then a&e

Ask to speak to the primary care team at your local CCG: explain you’ve been advised to see someone face to face following antibiotics/ telephone triage and which practices are operating face to face as you can’t get an appointment at your surgery.

If necessary, yes. I got a referral from a phone appointment with my GP, to an in-person physio appointment. I was asked in both cases whether I wanted it to be by phone or in-person.

Our vet is doing appointments by facetime!