To think everything else getting back to normal, why not GPS.

[smittenkittten]

Got so many different health issues but just can’t get an appointment to see doctor. Will it ever get better?

YANBU, seems a bit strange I can see my dentist, go for hospital appointments with sometimes close physical contact but not see a GP. They don't even do video call, how much can they diagnose someone accurately with just a telephone call.

I called this morning because I discovered a lump on my neck. I was in a face to face appt at 12.
I think it depends what's wrong with you.

Do you not have eConsult? I think it's a godsend, provided you are a competent typist and can explain yourself adequately. You get a phone call back in 48 hours and (a) a consultation (b) request to come into surgery if needed (c) a prescription to pick up if needed (d) a referral to the local hospital if needed.

I can't fault the service. I've had 2 investigative procedures and an operation since Christmas. One or two marginal issues with the receptionist, but I'd get that if I were standing in front of her

YANBU.
Had to make an appointment for my DS as I think his hyper mobility is getting worse and one of his ankles is turning in. Spoke to doctor and his reaction was well can’t diagnose him over the phone. Well no shit Sherlock he needs to be seen in person. He agreed to see him Wednesday afternoon.

I think it's very much down to individual Practices. Everyone seems to be getting a different level of service. I'm home counties and pre covid we were lucky to get a non emergency appointment within 6 weeks. Now its impossible. My practice only has 2 fulltime GPs and they cover an area of 10,000 homes (new build galore).

It’s going to put a strain on hospitals isn’t it.

My GP surgery is very good if you can get through to them but eConsult here doesn’t result in a phone call, it’s usually a text message with a prescription being sent to the pharmacy. Last time I used eConsult was for severe diarrhoea which had caused grade 4 thrombosed piles. I got a text message from the GP prescribing a laxative. I REALLY didn’t need a laxative! The only way to actually get through to the surgery by phone is to wait until 5pm (by which time, all appointments for the week have gone).

I agree. Though to be utterly frank. My GP practice was distinctly hostile to being seen beforehand.

It will not get better as there are not enough GPs per head of population (see PP re new homes with no investment to primary care). This is a political issue and not the fault of the healthcare providers (just getting that in before this thread descends into individual GP bashing like every other thread on here recently!).

Because "normal" didn't work well. A majority of issues people consult GPs about do not require a physical examination. My experience has been that the new way of working is much better.

At my GP, we can put in an online request, get a phone call from a doctor the same day. Get a prescription sent straight to your chosen pharmacy. If you need a face to face appointment or a referral then you get one. I had a face to face go appointment, chest x-ray, and consultant appointment all within a short period of one following an online request. I've also had blood tests, a pelvic exam and an ultrasound recently.

So much better than the old "normal" involving sitting in a waiting room full of sick people for hours or queuing on the phone to get an appointment. Doctors can get through 30 phone consultations in the time they could see 10 patients.

My Tom Tom and Waze have worked fine through all lockdowns. Same for Google Maps.

YABU

Do you not have eConsult? I think it's a godsend, provided you are a competent typist and can explain yourself adequately. You get a phone call back in 48 hours and (a) a consultation (b) request to come into surgery if needed (c) a prescription to pick up if needed (d) a referral to the local hospital if needed.

My surgery isn’t signed up to this, I wish it was!

Not everything is getting "back to normal"

Employment tribunals will remain remote in the most part post-COVID for example. Many previously office based roles will continue to WFH or WFH significantly more.

Also - remote GP access works really well for some people. It would be far easier for me to have a remote appointment. Clearly some conditions need to be seen and some people may not have access to remote technology and therefore some face to face appointments are required but where it is more efficient for both GP and patient why should GPs not continue to offer remote appointments?

Literally just came on Mumsnet to start the same thread. I called 32 times this morning before I got through, I'll get a phonecall on Wednesday evening to see if I need to then make a phonecall appointment with a Doctor.

I love e-consult, but having a doctor ring you back at a random time really doesn't work for those who can't answer the phone at work.