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.

ha ha 9 to 5 job. Wonder what DH has been doing at night time and weekends.
As someone elses DH coming home at 8 pm, to eat and then carry on with admin work, looking therough patinets' results and deal with it accordingly, completing assessments for trainees etc

@wherewildflowersgrow

They are obviously seeing people, but the phone and email appointments are screening in the necessary patients. The rest get advice.

Utter bilge given what is turning up at A&E these days - all those people who were given "advice"

So would your preference be only full time GPs allowed? Which would get rid of more staff, thus making the problem worse?

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?

Recently 1 yo DS had a temperature and cough - we got a COVID test done but he got worse while were waiting for the results. I assumed the GP wouldn't see him without a negative test so called 111, half expecting to end up in A&E. But 111 spoke to our GP surgery who were perfectly happy to see DS in a special room for patients with possible COVID (we had to go in through a side door!).

I expect that like me, other people assume GPs wont see their children with fever etc when in fact they should have procedures in place to do so, its just not publicised.

I totally agree. We were one of the unnecessary in A and E this week. GP explained that a coughing, wheezing child couldn't come into the surgery. But agreed that someone needed to see our child and suggested a Covid treatment center 30 miles away in 8 hours time with A and E as a fall back. Of course, we didn't last that long with an asthmatic child and no desire to visit a Covid treatment center. We also had no guarantee that we wouldn't just be referred to A and E when we got there, facing a further wait when our child was struggling there and then. It wasn't in their interests to drive 60 miles in that condition after a day of wheezing. Why do none of the stories mention the very obvious reason parents are finding themselves obliged to head to A and E?

If it takes 30min to get through on the phone then why would it be quicker in person?

I rang up for an urgent prescription for DD (she was home for the weekend, lockdown happened, her care home refused to have her back). After 35 minutes in the telephone queue, they told me she had to register her as a temporary patient, which I could do online. One of the first questions was “What is the GP practice ID?”. This was nowhere on the website. I had to ring up again, to ask for the GP ID? The receptionist told me, they still had some paper forms and I could pop down and get one.

So, it took me 2 hours and still a trip to the surgery, when it could have been done in 5 minutes face to face in the first place, seeing as the prescription was vital.

Our GP has been excellent, we have never, through the entire pandemic, not been able to talk to a doctor same day on the phone if needed (and I've had a very nasty asthma flare and chest infection over the winter so I have needed my doc a few times)

Remember they are trying to keep you safe by having telephone/zoom appointments, not just themselves!

My GP service actually seems to work better now. I’ve called this morning because I’m depressed. Spoke to the receptionist, was texted the relevant questionnaires to do for the depression / anxiety scale. They would have gone through it with me on the phone but gave me the choice. I was quite embarrassed so filling it out myself was better for me. Because I’ve been depressed I’ve also stopped taking my blood pressure medicine and should have known better... so I’m very, very embarrassed to admit that. Especially as I work in mental health. Which is why I’ve been putting off calling them.

I’m now waiting for a clinical pharmacist to call to start me on antidepressants, and to review the medicine I stopped. That’s very new. I don’t think they had that service prior to Covid.

I’m not sure how I feel about it except relieved to be getting some help. It does feel odd that it’s not the GP but I trust that their knowledge that this is obviously the correct route for me.

All in all, except for my embarrassment I think this mornings experience was pretty good.

I’m on a waiting list (3 month) before i even get an appointment to see an endocrinologist. That’s not so good. That department closed down because of Covid hence the waiting list. My doctors surgery has never closed down. Some things have moved online or to telephone consultations but I have nothing but positive things to say about them.

SaveFerris1

You're on MN between appointments?!

Weird.

You can go to a football/cricket match but can't go to see a GP?

@lollipoprainbow

Yes I think it's bloody ridiculous !! Even Collecting a prescription from my GP surgery is like trying to get into Fort Knox, everyone looking worried to death just get on and open up properly.

You’re obviously computer literate so why don’t you order your prescription online? It’s so much easier!

I haven't RTFT but when I opened the article this morning, the first thing that occurred to me was that 111 are responsible for telling people with children to go to A&E. There was no mention of that in there, just blaming the public for turning up. My friends and I have been sent ambulances for our children on numerous occasions by 111 when it probably wasn't necessary. I understand they need to be cautious but that should be reflected in the way this is reported instead of acting like everyone abuses A&E.

How very stressful your life must be!

Thanks @Letsallscreamatthesistene

I definitely don't think GPs are lazy but it does seem like some of them are managing the situation much better than others. Is there anything that can be done about this?

If you look at GPs that are managing well, is there a way to make their systems and approaches standard for everyone?

Again, my GP is not in some wealthy and low population area, it is a very densely populated mixed London neighbourhood. But they just seem really well organised.

@sparemonitor A lot of GP practices are open and doing an excellent job, yes. I appreciate everything that you and your colleagues are doing. But we can't minimise the fact that many still aren't seeing patients over a year after the initial lockdown. There are people who cannot switch surgeries due to there not being enough services (the fault of successive government underfunding, not GPs), and they are not getting the help they need. My GP is excellent and I have thanked them for their hard work. My friend's has been abysmal and her 3-year-old has been unable to get an appointment despite a long-term autoimmune condition for over a year...she has needed to use A&E, which is completely unacceptable.

To be honest anyone who voted Tory is now enjoying the rewards of their vote - unless rich enough to have private healthcare.

The vitriol towards GPs on this thread disgusts and depresses me. Shout out to the GPs, shout out to the GP spouses / families. Keep going, head down and push through. Your efforts are seen by many.

@dreamingbohemian

Thanks *@Letsallscreamatthesistene*

I definitely don't think GPs are lazy but it does seem like some of them are managing the situation much better than others. Is there anything that can be done about this?

If you look at GPs that are managing well, is there a way to make their systems and approaches standard for everyone?

Again, my GP is not in some wealthy and low population area, it is a very densely populated mixed London neighbourhood. But they just seem really well organised.

I think its down to practice managers and lead partners. Its up to them how they run their day to day practice unflrtunately. Itd be interested to compare surgeries who are doing well around you, and the one thats doing badly. I think the onus woild be on the practice manager to review and compare, and then test and adjust. It also comes down to change management, which also has its challenges. Im defo not making excuses though, that bit is often personality driven.

@Oblomov21

Our Gp practice is seeing people, I've been offered twice, but haven't needed to.

Ours is great.
I go online. Leave a message. Gp rings me back the same day talk about it, I am referred to the hospital as I've requested, or if it's just a prescription I wanted, it's agreed and I go to collect prescription. Fabulous.

Good for you. BUT, our GP surgery don't do online appointment requests. The ONLY way to get an appointment is to phone up. That means 30-60 minutes in queue in the morning, only to be told "sorry, all gone, try again tomorrow".

The big problem here is fragmentation and lack of control over GP surgeries, There should be central/consistent standards across all GP surgeries. It shouldn't be a post code lottery or a matter of luck that your GP surgery have set up an online appointment or e-consult system - it should be a basic requirement of their NHS contract to do that.

I agree, but I think the problem is more with lack of funding for GPs than with the GPs themselves.

I agree @badbadbunny. Im pleased the debates moved on.

@Nousernameforme

I'm not bashing gps I'm saying that right now it seems that a majority of them aren't doing very much and patients would benefit from them all opening up properly. Perhaps the overstretched gps need to have a word with those who aren't instead of having a go at the people who have a valid complaint.

No. You've got it the wrong way round. There are probaby a small minority of GPs who are taking the mickey. I have heard some stories locally that sound very plausible. But there are bad apples in any group of professionals. The vast majority of us are doing our absolute best and struggling.

That's interesting @Letsallscreamatthesistene I have been wondering the same in my sector (academia). Despite being under similar pressures across the university, some of our departments have done rather well the last year, some have been really shit, and from what I can tell a big part of that difference is leadership.

• SmidgenofaPigeon

I am awaiting the whooping cough vaccine I mentioned earlier so am in my local GP now. There’s an elderly woman begging to be seen, saying she’s weak and shaking, and can’t get through on the phone, she’s literally begging to be seen, and the receptionist is not even letting her through the door and saying WAIT ON THE PHONES WE HAVE TO PROTECT EVERYONE FROM COVID. LEAVE THE SURGERY. The woman is in tears.

It’s a bloody travesty.*

Please see if she can get to A&E? @SmidgenofaPigeon

This is shocking.

Yes- nhs is underfunded and disorganised in some ways. Some GPs are working hard in difficult circumstances. But we all need access to a GP and this needs to be happening in every practice- otherwise there’ll be horrendous consequences.