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?

Given how many are out and about with covid as refuse to test or say it’s a cold/hayfever etc it’s hardly surprising that GPS are being careful. They see numerous vulnerable people a day so are doing phone calls first then face to face after.

I did an econsult to see my GP, had a text to say they’d email with a response. Had an email next day, and a phone consult a week later, as it was non-urgent. Once I’d explained, the GP booked me a F2F appointment as she wanted to lay hands on me. I’ve now seen her, ultrasound booked and X ray this week. Easier than trying to get through on the phone for over an hour. I’m happy with this.
However, my practice won’t give a time, which is not helpful in this day and age. My own patients are given time slot on the phone, for a 45 minute appointment and we’re never more than 5 minutes later. Video also available.
We are seeing patients face to face if necessary, but as my patients are vulnerable (cancer), it’s on a case by case basis.

I completely agree, Namenic

The danger is though that precisely because they are so understaffed, GPs understandably latch onto telephone appointments as a solution - and I've no doubt it really does have huge benefits in terms of numbers that can be "seen" - but that quality of care drops as GPs chase numbers and people drop through the cracks as a result of this system.

Trust the public and give us an option of phone or f2f appointment. In a previous job, phone appointments would have been eminently doable and preferable to slogging to the surgery, but I (and many others, for a variety of reasons) just cannot access care if it's a case of "we'll call back at some time today, don't know when, to decide if you deserve an actual f2f appointment."

My own patients are given time slot on the phone, for a 45 minute appointment and we’re never more than 5 minutes later. Video also available.

This would make such a difference to many people and patient experience and accessibility would be vastly improved.