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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To show support for my GP practice?

32 replies

SmellyOldOwls · 22/09/2021 19:28

I've just been reading about the GPs and the abuse they are facing about not being able to offer face to face appointments, I knew it was going on - I see it all the time on Facebook, people complaining about GPs not being open.

My GP surgery have been really good and they have seen my children a few times in the last few weeks. They've prescribed a few things for my baby too when I've just left a voicemail on the prescription line explaining the problem (eg eye drops). I'm actually finding it a lot easier when the kids are ill now than before (appreciate the system isn't working for many people though)

I kind of feel like I want to say thanks just for a bit of moral support for them - is that a bit weird Confused and how? If I take chocolates or anything I'll have to stand outside and shout into the intercom and explain what I'm doing and they might not let me in Blush post a card through the letterbox maybe? Or just mind my business and stay out of the road?

OP posts:
chinateapot · 22/09/2021 19:29

Oh please do this. I’m a GP and morale has never been lower. A patient said something nice to me today and I nearly cried there and then. It meant so much and made my day.

MrsHookey · 22/09/2021 19:30

I feel they are being hounded by the right wing, who would love to demolish the NHS. I have put some feedback in that they have been fantastic recently.

INeed2P · 22/09/2021 19:30

I'd 100% pop a card in!! I sent one to my GP recently as he was an absolute support during an appointment and made all the difference (couldn't have been kinder or more helpful).

chinateapot · 22/09/2021 19:31

Any support will work. Chocolates if you feel the urge, a card will mean the world, a review on nhs choices, phone the practice manager.

Thank you for thinking of this. I’m really glad you’ve had a good experience and sorry for those who haven’t - and I know they’re out there too. GPs are honestly trying to do our best.

RandomMess · 22/09/2021 19:32

I'd be happy with any appointment, we get even get the engaged tone at ours!! It's been a huge issue for the last few months.

kimlo · 22/09/2021 19:32

mine have been fantastic, I much prefer the system now.

I would send them an email but they don't seem to have a publicly avaliable email. I can't really send an e-consult.

I could walk in to mine though and hand over a card.

Merryoldgoat · 22/09/2021 19:36

I will also do this OP.

Mine have always been exemplary and I couldn’t imagine a better set of doctors. I’ve seen all of the doctors there are various points and they’re all superb.

ShinyMe · 22/09/2021 19:40

As well as doing that, I think I'd also be taking every opportunity to describe how fab they've been publicly - whether on facebook or in conversation. Especially if you can have some rebuttal against the complainers.

TheCatInTheChat · 22/09/2021 19:42

Please do it will be hugely appreciated.

ThirstyMeeples · 22/09/2021 19:43

They would live this I'm sure. I'm a GP, we're all on our knees and it's hard to escape what feels like a barrage of abuse. I've nearly been in tears after yet another stupidly busy on call day and yet, can't go off sick as that would only make the problem worse for everyone else. Any show of kindness would be much appreciated I'm sure.

Original poster
SmellyOldOwls · 22/09/2021 19:50

I think maybe just a card then or possibly a letter to the practice manager? Or maybe both? I don't think what I have to say will fit in a card really unless I just be very brief and say thanks to everyone for your ongoing care? I do have a tendency to gush a bit once I get started Blush

OP posts:
Seedlipvshendricks · 22/09/2021 19:53

That’s a lovely idea. I’m a doctor but not a GP, they have also been working so hard and getting a crap time in the press.
My surgery have been great. A card and review on their website would be so thoughtful.

Seedlipvshendricks · 22/09/2021 19:53

*all not also. Oh for an edit function!

Runrigdan · 22/09/2021 19:54

Id do a nice card, and maybe a letter to the practice manager too if you have lots to say.

I work in a hospital, not GP surgery but we really do get a little boost from nice thank you cards.

myheartskippedabeat · 22/09/2021 19:55

My GP surgery are amazing and have belled all my family so I sent some artisan doughnotts in for the staff

Rosesareyellow · 22/09/2021 19:57

My gp has been fine too. I quite like a phone appointment - saves me driving there 🤷‍♀️ And for things that need a physical examination they’ve always been available for a face to face appointment. Takes a while as always but I think that’s out of their hands - too many people, not enough medical centres.

Georgewontsleepnow · 22/09/2021 20:01

Lovely idea. I'm married to a GP who comes home verbally abused often. It's a hideous and almost impossible job.

wonkylegs · 22/09/2021 20:06

My DH is a dr (not gp) and cards and letters are always appreciated especially when things are very stressed.

OnwardsAndSideways1 · 22/09/2021 20:15

My GP's surgery is also fantastic, they had face to face appointments for urgent things same day all the way through the pandemic, and the telephone service is great for things that aren't so essential to see anyone. Waiting times are for 5-10 min to get through and they always squeeze you in if you need to see someone, same day if urgent or a few days later if not.

I know there are problems with telephone services for people who are hard of hearing, have cognitive problems, I don't think it's perfect for everyone but it's worked well for us, and it's left more face to face time when we need it.

Gingerkittykat · 22/09/2021 20:16

My GP surgery has been exceptional the whole way through the pandemic, in fact it's easier to get an appointment now than it was before.

In the past three weeks I have had a nurse practitioner and GP appointment f2f and 2 phone appointments, yesterdays appointment was within an hour of emailing the form to them. All the staff, including the receptionists, have treated me with respect and listened to me.

I don't know if sharing chocolates would be a good idea as they might not want to all touch the same box but this thread has definitely made me want to do something to say thanks.

I've seen people whining on their facebook page about not being allowed to go into the surgery to make appointments or being asked to park considerately and it really annoys me.

TheWickerWoman · 22/09/2021 20:21

It’s a lovely idea and it will do down well.

I work in a GP surgery and our lovely patients have dropped in so many cards and treats recently. It really means a lot to us.

ContadoraExplorer · 22/09/2021 20:39

I recently posted a sizeable positive comment about ours on a local councillors page. She had moaned about getting back to face to face appointments and I commented that our GPs had been great throughout the pandemic.

Their triage is working for us at least - minor issues (but which require a prescription) being dealt with quickly with scripts being sent directly to the local pharmacy who then text when it's ready, but with something more serious, I got a face go face appointment no problem. I'm WFH and will likely be for the foreseeable but even a telephone appointment was much less hassle and meant I wasn't waiting weeks for an appointment t that didn't cause too much disruption with work nor was I sitting in the waiting room to be seen for ages because earlier appointments had overrun.

I completely understand that some people may need more face to face but I hope that by me, and others like me, not taking up those spaces, those people that need it are being seen.

hollyivysaurus · 22/09/2021 20:39

That’s such a lovely idea, I’m going to do it too! My GP have been wonderful, my little boy needed to be seen quite urgently at one point, he had a cough (and negative covid test) and I wasn’t sure if they’d be happy seeing him - they were fab, did an urgent prescription, saw him really quickly and referred to hospital when we needed to.

They’ve also previously fitted us in at exceptionally short notice, once my toddler DD had a nasty chest infection and went downhill really quickly as kids sometimes do. The GPs was closing for training, but they said to just bring her down and they’d see her anyway. I’m always so grateful for how they’ve found us a slot when it’s been needed despite being busy, I could go on and on about them!!

Vickim03 · 22/09/2021 20:44

Our are good but I do feel they should see kids face to face first time. My youngest had an ear infection, I phoned and gp phoned back. Was told it sounded like it was getting better as had popped, they did say I could have an appt if it got worse, i made sure this was on her notes. Well a few hours later it had got worse, the receptionist was Adament she couldn’t make an appt and I’d have to wait for the gp to ring me again. I pointed her in direction of her notes (glad I made sure it was noted) and then was given an appt. gp looked and agreed it was a really bad infection. Had we had an appt in the morning and seen she could of had a days worth of antibiotics. Rather than wasting a day getting seen.

Floralnomad · 22/09/2021 20:46

I really rate our GPs usually and I don’t mind having to ring for a telephone call appt but I really don’t see why they aren’t open for pre booked face to face appts . At our Gp you can’t request a time for the call so it’s impossible for people who work in places where you can’t just answer a call and also as someone who has several lifelong health problems it’s nice to sit face to face occasionally and bounce a few ideas , personally I don’t feel comfortable doing that on a phone .