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?

Wonderful village practice in SE who have seen patients in person when required for months. Telephone appointment first but no issues with seeing people as necessary.

I was able to see a doctor with relative ease for a minor issue

Have a mole on my back that had grown. After initial phone appointment go wanted to see me in person. After looking at it she was not concerned but wanted to refer just in case due to the growth.

Refered to dermatology at hospital where i went and saw a specialist who was also not concerned and told me to continue to monitor.

Was very impressed with the whole process tbh, that i could see a gp in person and get a hospital appointment in a few weeks all in.

Our gp’s are doing a telephone appointment first and then seeing the patient in person if they assess it to be necessary.
Both my husband and I have been called down for an in person appointment in the last week.

Thank you Fuzzy. It's been pretty horrendous and the GPs general utter disdain or lack of concern is astounding. At least the nursing team seem to care. The doctors truly couldn't care less.

You get an automated message as soon as you ring our GP telling you that they are only offering phone consultations and if you are needed to be seen in person you will be sent to a different practice.

Blimey I’ve seen the practice for an ear infection twice cine the last week!

Sorry practice nurse

Ours are fine - telephone appointment first and then they’ll see you if necessary. I went in to see a nurse last week and was really impressed.

No, I’m person available at three surgeries I know of, and my granny has had two home visits including one in lockdown 1.0

@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.

Erm? No so sure about that. Not hearsay: our local GP is not. Not even to give MMR booster to my child. Have written formal complaint,

It’s such a post code lottery which just isn’t good enough. I have been fortunate enough to have excellent service from my GP since March. I had a growth on my face which kept bleeding in June telephone triage the same day emailed in some pics, GP wasn’t happy to diagnose from pics so asked me to pop up to the surgery the same day, referred me on a urgent pathway to see a dermatologist which happened the same week and on the day of the appointment had the lesion removed and got a phone call a few days later confirming it was a benign issue and didn’t need follow up. About 2 weeks ago daughter had a rash same day telephone triage due to her age GP wanted to see her in person gave me a same day face to face appt. DS fell over at nursery last week and split his head went to A&E and we were in and out all stitched up with a follow up plan within 1.5 hours. Our family has also had all the usual routine things that are required (smear, immunisations) so it can be done.

Nope.
Not doing blood tests any more, have to go to the hospital.
The online form thingy is pretty good, they have rung back the same day both times but can only prescribe, not examine.

I'm having gynae issue - not actually seen a doctor but she did suggest trying a coil - am interested to see how that's going to get fitted over the phone.

Yes, my GP surgery are seeing people. Everyone gets a call first, if it can be dealt with by phone or video consult, then it will. They might triage you to physiotherapy (now getting appointments quickly- my mum’s was 3 days after GP call), optician, pharmacy etc. Or they might order bloods with nurse then arrange a face to face appointment with GP a few days later (me). When my dad was unwell- phone call within the hour and appointment with GP by 11am. Review arranged the next week- again face to face. He has also seen the practice nurse and then GP last month for his routine diabetic/hypertension review.

I guess it depends on your GP, but most around here are seeing people, albeit you have to have a telephone review first. But that change has been dictated by the health department, not individual practices.

Meant to add, regular things like smears etc are happening as well. I was booked in for a smear but had to cancel as tested positive for covid