AIBU to be annoyed that my GP seems to have no plans in place to see patients as we come out of lockdown?

[everydayiwritethebook]

After reading another poster's thread where she couldn't be seen by a GP and ended up at A&E, it struck me just how angry I am about not being able to see a GP face to face (socially distanced of course).
I have had a couple of instances where I've needed to see a GP, and my DC urgently needs to see one face to face, but we can't. I understand during lockdown it was necessary, but I haven't been able to see a GP in 14 months and now that most places are back at work (I work with the public and have been back for several weeks), it feels like they're taking the piss.
It's actually got worse at my surgery - today I took a letter in for my GP about being referred for a condition, and whereas previously they had a locked foyer which you could enter one at a time, now the front door is locked and you speak to the receptionist via intercom! I was also told my letter would be quarantined for 72 hours, even though I said it is urgent.
I feel like they are really failing their patients now, and I wondered what other people's experiences or thoughts were about this?

@Lucidas

I hope this system is here to stay!

Well yes, as long as there is actually a triaging system in place. Rather than ringing up incessantly for hours, finally getting through, being told that all phone appointments are gone and to ring again the next day, and the next day. And then getting an unscheduled call that there's no guarantee you'll be able to answer if you're working full time.

I wish people would stop contrasting illness-ridden GP waiting rooms with a seamless telephone appointment system which clearly does not exist for many GP practices.

All of this, for my practice.

I think this is spot on. If you knew you'd get a call back or you had an appointment in a few days it would be bareable. But ringing for an hour each day to be told there's no appointments and you need to try again the next day is stressful and demoralising

This was what it was like pre covid at my GP with f2f appointments. Lines opened at 8.15, but if you didnt manage to get your call answered until 8.25 all the slots would be gone for the day. They did have an automated system but that didnt have all the apts on it. I had been known to set my alarm for 5am to try the automated system but it wasnt fail safe, and then I'd just be tired and grumpy and still not get an appointment!😂

ssd - it is London only (plans to move it around other large cities though)

They know my history because I 'moved' to them - all my medical records went over - they're held electronically

The Gp's log in from home and do video calls but they can see my records online

There is actually a real bricks and mortar practice in Fulham too - but you can go to medical appointments anywhere in London - you just click a link and choose where and when to go

yadnbu

totally i agree. I've been in severe pain since last June with a spinal injury. Only ever had telephone appointments. Was referred to physio, on the phone, total waste of time. Pain was so out of control one weekend i ended up needing an ambulance and time in a and e just to get proper pain relief.

I've seen osteo, acupuncture and consultant surgeon all privately, in person, but never GP or physio.

I've found it really upsetting.

NHS is shit. The sooner we acknowledge it's not working (instead of defending this enormous pit of public money that is incapable of helping a vast number of people), the sooner we can fix it.

I think it’s a bit shit that other NHS staff have worked face to face with patients throughout, as have other key workers like transport staff, the police, retail workers etc. Ok you’re more likely to get sick people at a GP surgery than at eg a supermarket, but I think in many cases the surgeries have been massively overcautious. It’s been over a year now!

On the other side - my surgery has still been seeing people for things like smear tests, I had one in November and everything at the surgery was great in terms of cleanliness, distancing etc. But from friends/family’s accounts it’s not great if you need to get seen for something not routine. The GP can’t look down a child’s throat over FaceTime and some people aren’t confident to take and send photos.

Also my GP keeps telling me I need a blood test as I’m in medication, but the place they send you for blood tests isn’t accepting anyone. So I’m not sure what I’m meant to do there - not the GP’s fault though and she’s as frustrated as I am.

I have just been turned for PIP, one of the reasons given is because I haven't seen a doctor in over a year. I haven't been able to get an appointment to see one.

When I managed to get through once, I was informed it wasn't an emergency

This thread has made me so down this morning. My husband is a GP and has been working long hours non stop all year, missing so much of our young childrens lives and I’ve swallowed it only to come on here and read everyone declare that they are work shy and have been doing nothing.

He’s seen face to face appointments after a telephone triage throughout. (Following guidelines) In fact if you include telephone triages they have actually seen far more patients over the last year not less because the system is so much more efficient. I am a teacher and my husband has had far more exposure to Covid then I have. He has seen Covid positive patients (or those who go on to test positive) almost daily including with no PPE at the start of the pandemic. I on the other hand have had two pupils test positive in a year. He is the only one of his colleagues to not yet test positive. None of mine on the other hand have caught Covid. They really aren’t in an ivory tower.

On the vaccinating. He has worked 11 Saturdays since January for no more pay. The money they get for it barley breaks even and they are at breaking point keeping it all going with next to no end in sight if you consider the autumn boosters. They have given over 90% of the group 9 and above vaccines themselves as they are a rural practice and the nearest mass vaccination centre is over an hours drive. The patients can not get there and they have been left with no choice if they want to ensure a good take up. They are desperate for the government to come up with a mobile solution to mass vaccine centres so they can focus on their normal job. For those who say it’s been a money making choice it really isn’t.

Yes there are some terrible GPs and yes the system isn’t perfect and he will be the first to say that but to say they are work shy is so unfair. Huge numbers of vacancies means weaker and weaker trainees are being accepted to meet government targets. Instead we need to be looking at why it’s so unpopular and how to recruit better trainees and get the good ones to stay (much like teaching) and that comes down to years of underfunding. Direct your anger at the government and think about it when you vote. The NHS needs to be funded properly now more than ever.

@MinesaBottle

Also my GP keeps telling me I need a blood test as I’m in medication, but the place they send you for blood tests isn’t accepting anyone. So I’m not sure what I’m meant to do there - not the GP’s fault though and she’s as frustrated as I am.

My OH needs regular blood tests to monitor his cancer/chemo. Oncology won't do them and tell us to go to GP. GP surgery won't do them and refer us back to oncology. Pre covid, he always got them done at the GP surgery. The NHS really needs to sort itself out rather than just being a fobbing off and passing the buck service.

Our GPs will see people after a phone consultation here. The whole process is actually quicker than pre Covid as appointments are same day.

My GP does video consultations. Fantastic, much quicker than pre COVID. I hope the system stays.

It’s ridiculous! All other Doctors and medical staff have been expected to just get on with things but somehow GPs have been able to effectively shield and cut down their workload.

@Longar

This thread has made me so down this morning. My husband is a GP and has been working long hours non stop all year, missing so much of our young childrens lives and I’ve swallowed it only to come on here and read everyone declare that they are work shy and have been doing nothing.

He’s seen face to face appointments after a telephone triage throughout. (Following guidelines) In fact if you include telephone triages they have actually seen far more patients over the last year not less because the system is so much more efficient. I am a teacher and my husband has had far more exposure to Covid then I have. He has seen Covid positive patients (or those who go on to test positive) almost daily including with no PPE at the start of the pandemic. I on the other hand have had two pupils test positive in a year. He is the only one of his colleagues to not yet test positive. None of mine on the other hand have caught Covid. They really aren’t in an ivory tower.

On the vaccinating. He has worked 11 Saturdays since January for no more pay. The money they get for it barley breaks even and they are at breaking point keeping it all going with next to no end in sight if you consider the autumn boosters. They have given over 90% of the group 9 and above vaccines themselves as they are a rural practice and the nearest mass vaccination centre is over an hours drive. The patients can not get there and they have been left with no choice if they want to ensure a good take up. They are desperate for the government to come up with a mobile solution to mass vaccine centres so they can focus on their normal job. For those who say it’s been a money making choice it really isn’t.

Yes there are some terrible GPs and yes the system isn’t perfect and he will be the first to say that but to say they are work shy is so unfair. Huge numbers of vacancies means weaker and weaker trainees are being accepted to meet government targets. Instead we need to be looking at why it’s so unpopular and how to recruit better trainees and get the good ones to stay (much like teaching) and that comes down to years of underfunding. Direct your anger at the government and think about it when you vote. The NHS needs to be funded properly now more than ever.

If it's such small money for GPs that they get for vaccinating, why are they lobbying against the mass vaccination centres so hard?

@Longar - totally agree. DH is a GP. He has worked throughout but is leaving and the practice will close.
People need to stop blaming the GP and look to government as to funding and resources.

@ colouringindoors

That's a dreadful experience. Surely loads of people have struggled to see a GP. They can't just reject on that basis, given Covid19. Contact Welfare Rights / CAB and ask what others are doing in this situation. Can you move GP practices to another who is doing face-to-face?

@Sirzy - I’m an optician and agree with others suggesting your dad should see an optician, tell the optician he can’t see a gp and the optician should be able to do the referral. Often the referral would be via the gp but they would just need to pass it on the the hospital who can arrange to see him. Please try this.

As an optician I think it’s awful that gp practices are refusing to see patients face to face. This is not the case for all of them, mine have been excellent, even encouraging things like routine smear tests etc. And obviously with time for cleaning and PPE changes etc they won’t be able to see as many people but I don’t know how they can justify not seeing those with concerning symptoms. I worry that some will try and make this normal from now on. It’s also annoying for me as opticians professional bodies have been insisting even throughout the January peak that we must work as we are essential healthcare and it was ‘safe’ due to the PPE we have - which seemed to be double standards when some can’t even see their gp and we were allowed to see people who just fancied trying coloured contact lenses etc (completely non-essential)

Longar, yes, I know the feeling and know I should not go on this thread) Dh, gp, is spending weekends catching up with work, done telephone consultations (I'm hospital based, but have found they take longer as people often don't pick up their phone as they have forgotten about their appointments, so you end up trying to phone them back later. Each time you have to get all the information up on your screen before trying to phone. You don't waste time for those who don't turn up for their F2F appointments).
Anyway he has done minor procedures, helped with vaccinations( lot of work is spent before the vaccination, as pat need phoning, etc), seen pat F2F.
Why are we short of GP if they earn do much money without doing anything??

I think it's wrong that doctors aren't seeing patients face to face but some change is for the better. I am on a regular medication and used to have to make an appointment every 6 months just to get a repeat prescription. All that the doctor would do is check my blood pressure and issue the prescription. Since the start of the pandemic I've had a telephone consultation, and it's moved in on now to me taking my blood pressure at home, sending them photos and the prescription is sent to the pharmacy. It saves me time and means I don't take up valuable GP time. The downside is it's more expensive as the prescription is only for 3 months.

When my DH had a medical issue at the height of the pandemic he was seen face to face by the GP the same day.

GPs should definitely be seeing patients face to face when necessary but if they can use technology in some instances, and triage where necessary I think that's a good thing if it's done properly.

What is the the problem with face to face? They have presumably all been vaccinated!

The issue is limited funding, more houses in the same space and not enough GPs. Covid has just forced a change that was already coming. Its been a nightmare to get an appointment for the last decade. Housing developers have no proper obligation to provide for medical care for the new households they bring to an area. It shows. Sadly to fix this is more than just changes to the way a GPs surgery works, it's also an NHS issue a planning issue etc.

Controversially I'd also introduce a £5 charge for all appointments that are missed. We also need to eliminate NHS waste caused by us, the public, not just 'red tape' - whatever that means.

The problem with face to face is that NHS England have made as a standard remote triage first. If after remote triage you need to be seen then there is no problem with face to face appts.

GP cannot go back to full face to face until this is changed. The idea is to avoid GP spreading and also to reduce risk to patients attending for monitoring bloods for cancer / immunosuppressive drugs etc is the idea.

It was never a blanket ban on face on face appts.

We as a practice have carried on face to face if needed, our nurse carried on and took over a lot of the bloods as local phlebotomy services shut, we’ve never stopped smears. Also apart from first few weeks we have carried on with B12 for patients who wanted to come in. As have most of the practices around here.

the red covid site was all face to face appointments .

The only local GP that hasn’t been doing face to face has had recent cancer treatment but clearly her patients don’t know this. She hired an ANP to support seeing the patients face to face because she was shielded and no GPS available. She was doing all the triage and paperwork etc from home The comments on the practices website were vile about how lazy she was and work shy GPS are to the point that she seriously considered having to tell patients why and leaving GP

Yep, here too. I think you can get face to face if they deem it urgent but no idea what actually counts as they refused to see either child when ill.

I also have a long standing problem. GP would only do phone app - which I would say is pretty useless for diagnosis of a physical joint problem. At my insistence sent for an xray. No effort to communicate results of xray or act on them. At my insistence referred to another dept, turns out that they aren't doing face to face either. So at the moment I'm stuck because unless someone will actually physically examine it, I can't get proper treatment. Meanwhile I'm the heaviest I've ever been because severe pain for a year prevents me exercising, even walking is really painful.
I feel really really let down.

Oh yes, and the GP discussed prescribing me a particular medication for a different issue. Said I'd need a blood pressure check first. I said no problem, should I call the receptionist to book that?
Response completely floored me. "oh no, we aren't doing any blood pressure checks because of covid, you ll have do it yourself and phone with the result."

I’ve just had a mole check with GP “over the phone” last year, which was a battle to get. I have a history of dysplastic moles and have had several removed previously. The GP decided it was “ okay for now”.
I went private via health insurance, was seen and had it removed within 3 weeks. Sure enough, another severely dysplastic one. I am far more at risk of dying of skin cancer than covid, yet covid seems to take precedence.
The dermatology nurse couldn’t believe they’d left it and said it could easily have become cancerous quite quickly. Not everyone is so lucky to be able to go private. I dread to think the health conditions that have been ignored.

"What is the the problem with face to face? They have presumably all been vaccinated!"
Not all patients, that you want to attend the surgery have been vaccinated...