Can anyone actually see a GP in person nowadays?

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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 dd2 had a telephone appointment and doctor wanted face to face appointment with her

my dad had several home visits with gp but he was very ill so gp advised he would be visiting.

I guess it depends on the doctor and the situation

I should add, that I had my blood taken in a marquee in the surgery car park, my diabetic annual review by phone, and my pneumonia jab in the nurse's office in the surgery wearing a mask.

My daughter was worried about a mole, phoned her surgery and was given a face to face appointment in the evening. GP did thorough check and all fine. She lives in London. I was very impressed.

I saw a nurse and GP last week following a phone appointment.
I also saw a GP back in September.
It's always a call initially but we get a face to face if needed.

Myself and my DS have both been seen by a GP in the last 3 weeks. We have both also been seen by the surgery physio team at the surgery too

It's not fear mongering it's worrying what's happening..My mum's friend works as a GP receptionist and she's shocked at how things are going. Many people aren't getting seen and docs only offering phone consultations.

Why didn't the locum GP look at it?

Our 1 year olds dressing needed to be changed. We were offered a telephone appointment. You'd like to think nobody is that thick but they clearly are!

My gp is doing phone calls but will see patients if necessary. I managed to get an app but it was a gynae issue so couldn't really diagnose from a phone/video call.

I had a coil fitted, very difficult to do over the phone.

No. I think mine has been replaced by a robot playing automated messages. "No appointments because of Covid" / "no medication without an appointment" / "wait and see and call 111 if things don't improve" / "have you had a covid test?" As well as some "mmms" "hmms" "umms" "um-hum"'s and "o-Kay"'s. As that is literally all mine has said to me on the telephone appointments.

My real GP is living in an underground bunker with her family waiting out the zombie apocalypse that covid is about to turn into with the administering of the Z-Cove Vaccine or whatever.

YABU - dh gets regular ear infections, it is completely normal for them to take time to clear up as the dr, or nurse, tries different/doubling anti-bs for 7-10 days at a time until they find the one that works (usually the 4th or 5th one, even the dr says to him - this is now the very expensive good stuff, and it usually works).

In the current circumstances as long as they were giving me anti-bs to try and clear if up I would not expect to be seen now for an ear infection. What is the dr going to do other than look at a sore/red/hot ear and prescribe the same anti-bs? I'm sure they will get you in if/when once they have tried all the suitable anti-bs first.

Nope, even with typical covid symptom (temp) my DD was able to see a GP and also knowing that she had a cough. We just had to go in their outside tent and wear masks.
Everything for me is currently phone based for all HC unless I need to go in either for X-rays or to be examined.
Things like an ear infection would be seen as you can’t do it over the phone, same for bloods (although there’s a national shortage) and smear tests and the likes

The locum couldn't look at it as she was working from home.
@WeAllHaveWings the locum wanted it to be swabbed to see which antibiotics are needed. It's dangerous for me to have an infection due to having a compromised immune system.

I phoned at 8:30am yesterday, got a triage phone call from the practice nurse about an hour later who then arranged an appointment with Dr at surgery at 10:40am.

I had an gyne issue (on going) and was seen. Dentist won’t see my dd though. I think there’s what they are allowed to do and that’s not the same as what they choose to do.

My GPs will see you if necessary, so will the out of hours and the hospital.
If your GP is being so crap then I'd be inclined to phone out of hours and see if you can see someone.
I've had blood tests at the surgery. Have been to the hospital for one thing, have another appointment for other tests next week, DD has some tests at the hospital this week. And I've been told to book both a smear and mammogram. But the phone appointments have worked when I've needed them so far too.

It’s great to be able to have telephone appointments so don’t have to wait around at surgery or get someone to look after kids.

My GP surgery asks you to explain symptoms on an app, send info. Based on their thoughts they’ll either organise a prescription, phone call or a face to face. I had an ear infection last week and was called in for face to face as I have a history of ear infections and this seemed to be oozing liquid. So yes they are seeing people and I would push for getting your ear examined. Obviously we were both wearing masks.

From my experience GPs have largely abdicated any duty of care and are shirking at home, mostly refusing to see anyone. Despite being....you know......doctors. I am glad to hear it isn't like this everywhere.

*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.*

Well I know a lot of GPs (obviously) and the only ones I know who don't see people are shielding at home: they telephone triage and book into colleagues (my) appointments if they need to be seen.

The thing that has stopped is people being able to book an appointment once a week to come in and chat about various ailments or have a moan about life.

I have Emphysema and often get excerbations which are horrible you have difficulty breathing. I have got emergency pack always on hand, antibiotics and steroid tablets.Trouble is when you use one up you ned another so usually just go to surgery and get a prescription.I was told before this recent attack I was to ring GP about taking any more.
So I rang GP and was told wait till GP rang back.I tried taking inhaler but not helping.After two hours and rapidly worsening condition I rang back to be told there were seven people in front of me waiting. I told receptionist to cancel it as I was going to Aand E or else I would be a corpse.My son took me straight there I was given oxygen nebuliser followed by oral steroids and went home.
I am sorry but I have no faith in GPs just now.Covid has ruined everything.

My father has been incredibly ill in hospital. He's been discharged but is very much still not right. There are a host of underlying conditions at play. My mother was desperately concerned he might be reaching the end yesterday, but equally didn't want him back in hospital, which is what a 999 call may well have led to. The GP offered a Zoom call.......and helpfully advised to call an undertaker if he died in the night. That's ok, is it?

Huge sympathy but if can possibly afford it, try to find a private doctor who will see you.

Serious eye problems here, no chance to see a gp, local hospital eye clinic closed in April and will not see anyone.

We went to a fantastic private consultant and discovered the eye problem had been inadequately / incorrectly treated by NHS since March, now have correct treatment.

So the cost of the appointment is minor compared to the impact (possible long term loss of eyesight) of not getting treatment.

I know people in U.K. are opposed to paying for treatment but we’ve never regretted doing so.

Alconleigh, I am so sorry to hear that. Your poor parents, what a truly crap thing for the Dr to say.