To think gps need to unlock the doors/open properly

[Nousernameforme]

Theres an article on the bbc about childrens a&e being overwhelmed by visits that aren't needed. Aibu to think that these people would have taken their children to the gp had they been able to? I know that they say a lot of them wouldn't have needed to see a gp but the viruses right now are horrible, probably due to everyones immune system being protected for a year, so it's harder to tell what needs help and what will get better on it's own.
My youngest has just got over the most awful virus which if it had not turned a corner when it did I would have got him medical assistance and if I can't get it from a gp I would have had to take him to a&e.

Our gp surgery is locked up the phone lines are only for those who have no internet and if you do get through all they do is put a request through on the ask my gp thing. I or members of my family have tried to see the dr for about 9 things this past year and got in once. 4 times we were prescribed antibiotics having not seen a dr.
Can we not have an official unlocking of the gp surgerys now please.

[RidingMyBike]

Our GP surgery has been excellent - far better than pre-pandemic. Twice I've had a long running cough (not Covid), been offered a phone consultation within 48 hours. That's far more convenient with work than physically having to go to the surgery. They've given me a 3 hour window for those calls but have followed my instructions to avoid school run/commute times. Both times they then wanted to listen to my chest, so I was booked in for early evening slots at local primary care hub the same day. Hub is next to late night pharmacy so got prescription both times far faster than I would have done pre-Covid and far more conveniently.

They've also been exemplary when dealing with DH who became CEV during the pandemic, then developed further health problems. He has been to GP surgery once for a check and twice to the hospital, but everything else on phone (which was fine - 10 minute phone update far preferable to sitting for hours waiting in a hospital clinic as would have happened before). Absolutely amazing service

[PurpleFlower1983]

I can’t complain about ours, as much as they’re ‘shut up’ from the outside we can always get through and they have seen my DD 3 times face to face without question over the last few months and given antibiotics. They gave me antibiotics over the phone and said they would seen me in person if I was uncomfortable with that. My 90 year old Aunt needed routine injections and they let me go in with her. Half of the staff have been working all hours at the vaccination centres. They’re doing what they can. We’re lucky though, I know some on here have had much worse care.

[RedToothBrush]

@DaisiesandButtercups

The receptionist at my surgery is strictly gatekeeping so I couldn’t even get an appointment to speak with the doctor. She suggested the e consult which she had to talk me through, not user friendly, a total waste of time. I spent ages typing, describing the problem in detail and then again in a second box and a third and then finally it just said call 111, I went back and tweaked answers and it still said call 111. So I tried that but surprise, surprise the recorded message says they are experiencing exceptionally high call volume and then there are an excessive number of questions about covid and we can text you information press 1 or 2 to continue etc. In the end I gave up and drove 25 minutes to the minor injuries/urgent treatment unit (GP is walking distance from home). Minor injuries said GP should have seen her, try again, she needs to be seen by GP for the appropriate tests and diagnosis and complain to the CCG. While I was there I overheard a man at reception apologise for being there and say he also had tried to get an appointment with his GP but had been told to take his daughter to minor injuries. I still haven’t got around to driving to the specialist pharmacist 4-5 miles away for the other issue.

Total waste of everyone’s time. I thought that GP’s were supposed to be our first port of call.

Incident for someone I know last weekend.

They called 111. Waited. And waited.

Then messaged a relative who is an A&E doctor in frustration. Relative said A&E now.

111 did call back.
4 hours later.

111 are a fucking huge waste of time and money. And actively may be endangering lives.