Page 2 | To think the difficulty in seeing a GP is a plan to erode NHS treatment by stealth

DuckyMcDuck · 2021-08-03T17:06:58+00:00

It is still impossible to get an appointment at our GPs so over the last couple of weeks we have had to pay for appointment to a) check my ears for ear wax and b) to pay a podiatrist to sort out of DS's ingrowing toenail (as he was in a lot of pain and they said it would be at least a months wait for a referral) Both cost us over £100, now we are lucky we can pay for it but AIBU to think these are treatments that should have been sorted by a GPs visit.

Wishes2020 · 03/08/2021 20:26

NiceGerbil · 03/08/2021 20:28

You haven't been able to get a gp appt anything near easily for years here.

Nurse appt first.
If need go then like 3 weeks.
And they've been preferring phone consultation from way before covid.

8dpwoah · 03/08/2021 20:28

I don't know how my GP surgery manages it then as it was always possible to get a phone appointment same day, face to face if required the following day, no change as far as I know during covid. I rang up a few weeks ago with something non-urgent and said as much, but the receptionist insisted I go on the afternoon call list rather than waiting. Prescription at pharmacy an hour after the call. How is it possible for my GP surgery to consistently deliver a great service (including the nurse practitioners too, I and DD have both had plenty of jabs during the pandemic) when others have been so poor? Is it because they were pioneering phone triage way before covid and the patients are all used to it? It's a genuine question- I'd love to know how their model is so successful and if it could be rolled out to others?

gamerchick · 03/08/2021 20:28

Yes? Thats fairly normal as your dissuaded from using cotton buds your not allowed private microsuction in my area without being seen by a medical practitioner first realistically who else is going to look in your ears and see its an ear wax issue as opposed to a spider setting up home or a lost earing or blue tac (thanks ds)

It's really really not normal to go to the GP to check for earwax.

8dpwoah · 03/08/2021 20:29

Also the reception and admin staff are unfailingly cheerful, polite and helpful, maybe my surgery really is a one-off?

NiceGerbil · 03/08/2021 20:29

GPs don't do ear wax anymore I don't think.

I mean you know you've got earwax prob. Why does the GP need to check?! Yes. Earwax.

NiceGerbil · 03/08/2021 20:30

www.nhs.uk/conditions/earwax-build-up/

NHS advice.

Try to sort it yourself
Pharmacist
Nurse at GP

You seem to have missed those steps.

ActonSquirrel · 03/08/2021 20:36

I think this is half the problem with access to GPs

The thread was started by someone wanting a GP for earwax.

Another poster was outraged by having to pay for iron tablets and vitamins herself for anaemia.

I thought I was going to hear stories of people not getting support with long term illness, acute problems, etc

spinningspaniels · 03/08/2021 20:38

I'd happily pay to go privately to a GP, but the options locally are for "there and then" treatment only, not ongoing conditions. So I can see a GP same day for a UTI but I can't see one if my diabetes meds are ripping my stomach lining to shreds...... as happens regularly.

My GP still isn't doing reviews let alone appointments. I'm T2 diabetic, take BP medication and haven't had a blood test or appointment for 2 years. So where do I go? I'm getting seriously pissed off with this Covid only healthcare.

NiceGerbil · 03/08/2021 20:39

It's a bad idea to go private for long term/ chronic conditions tbh for loads of reasons.

Even if you have loads of money probably.

NiceGerbil · 03/08/2021 20:40

I mean unless you're the Queen or something!

Purplewithred · 03/08/2021 20:41

“your not allowed private microsuction in my area without being seen by a medical practitioner first”

Really? You can in mine, never been a problem.

GP time is far too valuable to ‘check for earwax’. And an ingrown toenail is not a life threatening emergency, the NHS is always going to make you wait.

My GPs are great. If your GP is genuinely crap then complain to NHS England and your local CCG.

HmmmmmmInteresting · 03/08/2021 20:46

@gamerchick

You wanted to see a doctor for earwax?

Why is everyone acting all shocked at this? Lots of people with blocked ears go to the GP to have their ears checked every day (well, pre-covid). How do you know if it's wax, eustachian tube dysfunction or a foreign body without someone examining you?

ActonSquirrel · 03/08/2021 20:47

My GP still isn't doing reviews let alone appointments. I'm T2 diabetic, take BP medication and haven't had a blood test or appointment for 2 years. So where do I go? I'm getting seriously pissed off with this Covid only healthcare.

That is outrageous. Diabetes can have serious complications and it needs monitoring.

The others can go and pay £1.50 for iron tablets or £4.29 for ear wax drops and they just don't want to

Marcee · 03/08/2021 20:52

Its unlikely it's just due to the pandemic.

Where I work. We are down 2 GP's .

We have been unable to recruit after one retired, then then one left.

So weare ri
Running on locums- this makes the practice less attractive for anyone looking for a GP job.

Even with locums we aren't able to get enough doctors in to cover the vacancies. There aren't any locums either.

So low on appointments everyday.

There is a GP shortage. Any GP who gets a chance is leaving the country. The job prospects are getting worse and worse every day. Any GP that can is planning for early retirement. And any that aren't are looking into cutting down their hours and finding different roles.
Because the actual job has become impossible.

gamerchick · 03/08/2021 20:55

Why is everyone acting all shocked at this? Lots of people with blocked ears go to the GP to have their ears checked every day (well, pre-covid). How do you know if it's wax, eustachian tube dysfunction or a foreign body without someone examining you?

If I get a blocked ear, a GP isn't my first thought.

Personally I think the OP is yanking our puddings here with those reasons tbh. Hand grenade and watch it roll.

Kendodd · 03/08/2021 21:03

The state of our health service is 100% our own fault.
We get what we vote for.
If we (as a nation, not individuals posters) wanted a better funded health service we wouldn't repeatedly vote in politicians that allow it to wither.

Kendodd · 03/08/2021 21:05

Anyone popped up to blame immigrants yet?

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 03/08/2021 21:08

@OhWhyNot

No I don’t think it is

But we will be seeing more fees and insurance being involved

We could have a much better service and I think we shall go more of the way of other European countries

We won’t change to an American system. It won’t have the support we have very different attitudes towards health care to how many American (even liberal Americans) have

Do you really think we’ll be asked?

Artus · 03/08/2021 21:08

Much of this is down to a shortage of GPs. The NHS has been aware for years that this would happen as the current GPs retire and fewer doctors are attracted to general practice. There have been recruitment issues for many years, the workload is unsustainable, and the public perception of GPS has become worse, as can be seen by the many threads running them down. No wonder people don't choose this as a career.

I think the current general practice model will disappear and be replaced with a salaried gatekeeping service.

HmmmmmmInteresting · 03/08/2021 21:10

@gamerchick

Why is everyone acting all shocked at this? Lots of people with blocked ears go to the GP to have their ears checked every day (well, pre-covid). How do you know if it's wax, eustachian tube dysfunction or a foreign body without someone examining you?

If I get a blocked ear, a GP isn't my first thought.

Personally I think the OP is yanking our puddings here with those reasons tbh. Hand grenade and watch it roll.

Well, yeah, I don't for a second believe someone charged £100 to look in their ear, and the podiatrist scenario was nothing to do with not being able to see a GP and everything to do with the waiting list for podiatry.

A lot of NHS threads lately

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 03/08/2021 21:14

I have to ring my dr at 8am to book a same day appointment for a medical review

Together with everyone else who may actually need a same day appointment

Its a shite system as far as i can see…and i know when i finally manage to get a telephone appointment they are going to tell me to ring back and book a blood test and a blood pressure test, and then ring at 8am for a few days to get another same day appointment to discuss the results

Its taking an ave

RufustheBadgeringReindeer · 03/08/2021 21:15

Well, yeah, I don't for a second believe someone charged £100 to look in their ear

Why not? Private dr is about that much

Justanotherlurker · 03/08/2021 21:28

We’re sleepwalking into a US style system in which the fortunate get the best care — albeit with hefty premiums and co-pays — and the unfortunate are bankrupted or can’t afford their insulin.

The tories threatening to privatise the NHS has been a meme since the 70's, those still using it needs to use their apparent critical thinking skills that they like to openly profess.

Apart from getting into the lockdown narrative, whats needed is maybe actually following up what the 'online left' have been trying to promote for years and we follow the nordic model of healthcare which does require some privatisation/insurance and paying for GP visits etc, as in we need a proper discussion instead of flogging a dead horse that assumes any kind of reform of the NHS is automitically assumed to be going down the US route, and no bring up a certain book doesn't prove that you are right.

NiceGerbil · 03/08/2021 21:35

The NHS is massive. I think it's - s couple of years ago was- the 3rd biggest employer in the world.

I mean it's a massive complicated thing.

The actual or accused attacks on the NHS have been going on for decades.

I think that oh the GPs are not seeing patients because of wanting to fuck up the NHS is... Random and superficial.

Apart from anything else.

GPs are self employed