To think that if I can work..

[ButtonRose]

Surrounded by the British public every day and "be safe", there is simply no reason why I have to have a telephone appointment before I can see a real human being for heath care?

no maybe YOU can but what about the OTHER person?

Depends if you want to risk that human being getting covid and then being unable to provide your health care

This is the new way get used to it because it’s not going to change

My mum abroad had doctors appointments as normal since last summer. Only time they don't see people is when people have covid symptoms. Oh. And dentists functioned normally since last summer too 🙄

Sometimes a telephone appointment is much better. Don’t have to worry about taking time off work, finding a space, waiting in the waiting room just to be told to go away.

Obviously if you have a telephone appointment and then still need the doctor after it’s a bit annoying but it’s not the end of the world to speak on the phone first.
Think about how many more patients they can get through on the phone than face to face.

I did an econsult the other day, sent a detailed description and photos of the complaint. To get a phone call trying to book me in for a phone appointment between 0800 and 1700 in 10 days time. What's the point of doing the econsult? The system in its current state is not fit for purpose and is wasting everyone's time.

Ah, so it's OK for my health to be at risk every day at work, but not OK for anyone in health care. Understood.

There is much less time wasting if people are triaged by telephone initially. I've been given a face to face appointment if it was needed.

Depends if you want to risk that human being getting covid and then being unable to provide your health care

Yet the rest of the population are being told to get back to the office, go to work as normal.

The HCPs I know want to get back to f2f appointments. Physiotherapy, even dementia care by phone is not what they trained for!

@Lotsofwishes

A telephone consultation is not appropriate for me. I need a physical examination in order to get the help I need.

I've been given a face to face appointment if it was needed.

"I'm alright Jack."

But it’s not like you can’t have one at all. You can have a face to face if you need one, you’re just offered telephone ones first

They will establish in the telephone call that you need a physical appointment then. The person on the telephone is also "a real human being"(wtf).

Op, I recognise your frustration. I've been very poorly for several months. I've spoken to a gp about six times and been asked to see them three additional times. I've seen someone when needed but have had to speak to them first.

I've felt very uncared for. But at the same time, it's been functional

I'm struggling at work with my health issue. Who knows how long I will have to wait for a face to face appointment. An unnecessary telephone appointment, and it's completely inappropriate for my condition, is simply wasting time I might not have before my condition deteriorates. It's nonsensical in this case, and I will probably end up in A and E needing more help than I would have needed if I could have seen someone in a timely manner.

Yes. But you will get the serial excuse makers falling over themselves to find a reason to argue against the obvious.

The person on the telephone is also "a real human being"(wtf).

I too am a human being, and in close contact with more people per day than any GP. I am not given a choice about taking that risk, assuming I want to pay my bills. Am I less human than the person on the phone, who has the luxury of distance until they decide otherwise?

Do they offer same day in person appointments if needed? If not maybe change surgery if you can?

If you need a physical appointment, you'll get one after the telephone one.

@ButtonRose

The person on the telephone is also "a real human being"(wtf).

I too am a human being, and in close contact with more people per day than any GP. I am not given a choice about taking that risk, assuming I want to pay my bills. Am I less human than the person on the phone, who has the luxury of distance until they decide otherwise?

There aren't enough GPs as it is without giving them COVID

why aren't you safe at work

@gardeninggirl68

why aren't you safe at work

Most people working with public aren't. Retail, hospitality, transport etc

Because I am in close contact with people all day long who don't keep their distance, wear their masks under their chins, and worse things than that., etc etc

I'm not in the UK and GPs have been back to normal face to face appointments for months now (unless there are COVID symptoms).

It must be so frustrating not to be able to see a GP - there was a thread here not long ago where the telephone consultation advised the poster to attend her pharmacist, not her doctor. The complaint was a rash on her chest but she wasn't allowed out of her car at the pharmacy so faced either removing her top in the carpark or taking a photo for the pharmacist. Lots of people advised to take a photo but things can look very different on phone cameras; I wouldn't have been happy with either of those options.

@SchrodingersImmigrant

My mum abroad had doctors appointments as normal since last summer. Only time they don't see people is when people have covid symptoms. Oh. And dentists functioned normally since last summer too 🙄

Same here. I'm so glad I can see a doctor when needed.

I'm with you, OP.