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.

@letsallscreamatthesistene

My point which you have willfully missed is people banging on about funding how is it more expensive to be rang by a gp at home anytime than rang at a set time we all work and not all of us can take a day off for a phone appointment or take a phone call at any time

And yes its her dog she apologised for it

I've cried over trying to see a GP recently, it's impossible. You have to call at 8am exactly and join a queue that lasts over half an hour. If you're lucky enough to get through the fucking receptionist expects me to explain my problems to her. Then they want me to have a telephone consultation which is of no use to my condition. It's ridiculous and I just want to see a doctor.

Perhaps A&Es are busy with genuine cases that are emergencies, as people have left it and left it, not being able to get a GP appointment or not wanting to bother the GP in a pandemic. So what could have been minor has become serious and urgent.

Re the mention of GPs leaving in droves due to inadequate compensation - I understood that GPs were rather well paid for what is now mostly a 9-5 job?

It does seem to be different in each surgery. I have no complaints with my GP surgery. My DD was diagnosed with Coeliacs Disease very swiftly this year and I have been referred for ADHD assessment. My DS also had to be tested for Coeliac, and again this was done quickly. Prescription requests are placed online as usual and phone calls are promptly made by the GPs after completing the online request form. I am in the South West though and I do appreciate that other areas have been hit harder by Covid than we have.

[quote confused1974]@Letsallscreamatthesistene I have a professional job that is considered extremely stressful (also extremely well compensated, probably more than GPs but I work 80 hours a week - think banking or finance). And if I can't finish everything in 80 hours then I work 90 hours.

Instead unfortunately GPs have a public sector mentality. We close at 6 and at 1759 all is shut. I am lucky that I have private insurance and all the money I need to see private doctors when I want, but think about those who don't have the resources (whether the tenacity or financial) to do that.

Sorry but I hope more and more choose online GPs like Babylon and lots of practices close (some in my areas have already closed and no, I haven't shed any tears) [/quote]
So if you hope more and more close, then how do expect things to get better? Will you think about those who dont have the funds for private medicine in that instance?

I dont care about your work ethic, it sounds like you're very well compensated for it. Good for you.

I can also assure you that GPs do overtime and dont get paid as well as you.

The lead GP in my practice was found banging a lady locum on his examination table.
He is always the one you will see in an emergency as no one will ask to see him.’
The wife kicked him out but took him back 🙄

@ginghamstarfish

Re the mention of GPs leaving in droves due to inadequate compensation - I understood that GPs were rather well paid for what is now mostly a 9-5 job?

Lol

[quote Theunamedcat]@letsallscreamatthesistene

My point which you have willfully missed is people banging on about funding how is it more expensive to be rang by a gp at home anytime than rang at a set time we all work and not all of us can take a day off for a phone appointment or take a phone call at any time

And yes its her dog she apologised for it[/quote]
Where the phone call is made is neither here nor there. The expense comes in staffing.

Ive explained the discrepancy in apptment times in my last post.

The service here has been fine, sort of. When DS who is 2 had an ear infection, I was seen the same day - but I had to drive half an hour to that day's designated in-person surgery.

However I do agree that the receptions should be open. The reception used to provide a service to the elderly who wanted to book in and were hard of hearing so partly lip-read, or don't have the internet. I have some forms to drop off and I'm not allowed in the building. You're not even allowed to go in for sample pots so no idea what they're doing for urine infection testing.

@Letsallscreamatthesistene and sorry it's Friday today, how comes you're mumsnetting? I am but also I will catch up later tonight or at the weekend. Surely you won't be calling patients at midnight or at the weekend. Hope I (and my fellow taxpayers) aren't paying you for your time spent mumsnetting.

@mam0918

I have had no issue seeing a GP, probably seen them more since covid than any other time and there no wait times now were booked in same day.

Also how does unlocking doors help, cramming loads of virus ridden people especially children together in a small waiting room is clearly not the better option .

People need to utilise the systems properly and accept advice, just because you dont get what you want doesnt mean you should take it further. A lot of the problems are people who refuse to accept they arent as deathly sick as they think they are so waste hospital time after wasting GP triage time.

I'm loving the 'havent had any trouble at all' posts that then go on to tell everyone else off for being a timewaster.

Talk about I'm alright jack

It must totally depend on your individual GP.

I see my GP probably monthly for a certain minor procedure. It's not super urgent or an emergency but it would be uncomfortable for me without it. They have continued to do it on time throughout the whole pandemic, I've found them really great. I've also seen them about my son too a couple of times during the course of the last year.

DH has been a GP for nearly 20 years. Always full time but if a GP wants to work part time why shouldn’t they.
I wish he only worked 9-5 - can’t remember the last time he was home before 8pm.

[quote confused1974]@Letsallscreamatthesistene and sorry it's Friday today, how comes you're mumsnetting? I am but also I will catch up later tonight or at the weekend. Surely you won't be calling patients at midnight or at the weekend. Hope I (and my fellow taxpayers) aren't paying you for your time spent mumsnetting. [/quote]
Hold on to yourself.....I work part time.

And no, GP work isnt just calling patients. Once again showed you dont really have a grasp on the work. Theres a lot more to it, some of which can be done at midnight.

I wish the GPs here would explain why, if it's all down to lack of funding and timewasting patients, some practices are clearly managing so much better than others.

Take @spacefrog35 experience above, where she has been trying for weeks to book a smear test (which she has been asked to book!)

By contrast this was my experience last month: call the practice, get put on hold but the recording says I'm 4th in the queue so I know how long I will have to wait. Speak to the receptionist, book an appointment for the following week. Attend the appointment, in and out quickly.

This is a very busy London GP btw. There is another GP down the road, same area and similar patient numbers, but apparently impossible to get through to or make an appointment.

I'm not questioning the medical abilities of GPs but is it simply that some are better organised? more proactive? willing to invest more in systems to help manage the huge demand?

My Nanna who is in her 90s was made to wait outside, when it was snowing, for an appointment the doctor was running late for and wasn't offered so much as a chair.

I understand it's hard but you would expect a little common sense and compassion, not 'computer says no'

I did email a complaint to the practice manager only to be met with 'unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions....'

My GP is open and has been for ages. You have to ring up, wait for a GP to ring you back and then they'll decide whether or not to see you in surgery.
Bit of a faff but they say it's easier (not sure how they can diagnose over a phone but there you are).
Been easy enough booking blood tests etc and they don't lock the door anymore.

I’m about to see my 6th patient of the morning. I’ve also done 4 telephone triages and will deal with the econsults after that. We’re not closed, you just need to access in a different way.

If you were important enough snd needed enough and said part time or goodbye ... then what ?

I have been trying to see a GP since March. It is impossible. I have had severe joint pains since having my first vaccine in late February. On both triage phone calls they simply told me to take painkillers. I had a full blood test in April - they lost the results. I had another full blood test in May. I picked up the results from the surgery and the surgery was completely empty. I still have not seen a GP face to face.

@dreamingbohemian

I wish the GPs here would explain why, if it's all down to lack of funding and timewasting patients, some practices are clearly managing so much better than others.

Take @spacefrog35 experience above, where she has been trying for weeks to book a smear test (which she has been asked to book!)

By contrast this was my experience last month: call the practice, get put on hold but the recording says I'm 4th in the queue so I know how long I will have to wait. Speak to the receptionist, book an appointment for the following week. Attend the appointment, in and out quickly.

This is a very busy London GP btw. There is another GP down the road, same area and similar patient numbers, but apparently impossible to get through to or make an appointment.

I'm not questioning the medical abilities of GPs but is it simply that some are better organised? more proactive? willing to invest more in systems to help manage the huge demand?

I think its not all funding, although that accounts for a fair whack of the issues. Its the organisation and management of the practice too. Like most things, its a mix. I have a real problem with people arguing that 'all GPs are shit and lazy', because thats not the case and its impossible to have a productive debate.

but is it simply that some are better organised?

I think this is the case. Our GP has always shut for 90 minutes for lunch. Completely shut. It's a big surgery, brand new, the result of a merger of 3 smaller ones. I can only assume this was a decision by the Practice Manager.