To think that people don't realise...

[OhNoHelloSnow]

That there's way more healthcare professionals who can help them other than just the "GP or A and E NOW " options?

Seen so many threads recently where people haven't been able to get an appointment with a GP so think A and E is the only option left but are unwilling to try GP Nurses, Nurses Practitioners, Pharmacists, Rapid Response Care Teams (where available and if applicable), Self Referrals to services like Podiatry, or Physio, or IAPT (where applicable), 111, Out of Hours Hub GPs etc.

Just feeling like this all contributes to our over stretched GPs and A and E departments at the moment.

No, people don't know or are just selfish by going to A&E for a cold rather than the chemist.
However I do think that if you contact the GP but can't get an appointment, then why don't the receptionists direct you to someone who can rather than just saying 'computer says no'.

As a HCP I am horrified at some of the advice I’ve seen posted here lately-one in particular about calling an ambulance for straightforward labour, and another advising someone to go to A&E immediately, both spring to mind. The nhs is on its knees and inappropriate use of services like this doesn’t help.

@Youdoyoutoday makes a good point; I wonder how many people are being signposted to pharmacies, WICs etc. This would help.

I worked with someone who was pissed off with people asking for prescriptions for paracetamol that cost 28p, so I can see your point

Someone needs to develop an app that takes people through their symptoms and clearly signposts which service they need: pharmacist, GP, hospital, physio, give it a week and see if it improves, etc

It can be difficult to find what you need, especially when ill or injured (and not always thinking logically and clearly).

Not only that, services can vary by area and also the availability of these things isn't always made clear.

I don’t think blaming people for the state of the bus is fair. Maybe the government could just properly fund the NHS so people can get a GP appointment when they need it.

How are people suppose to know about these services?
We used to have walk in minor injuries and a walk in OOH service in my town but now we don’t, so you are largely out of options for anything urgent. If you want a go appointment you have to phone 100+ times just to get though and probably still won’t get one.

I think there is a mixture - not all services are available in all areas, and people aren't aware of what is available in their area. It would be helpful if there were local information campaigns about what is available. 111 also doesn't help as they seem to tell you to go to A&E every time.

1: sign posting to appropriate services is poor ir even non existent.
2: accessing these “other services” isn’t necessarily easy either! They are also busy and under resourced.
3: can we please stop blaming patients for the state of the NHS, let’s put the blame where it belongs- with the Government.

I think it’s a combination of not knowing what’s available, but also, even if you know what’s available, not knowing what is most suitable at that time. I have no health training, I can probably say reasonably accurately what requires A&E, but for more minor things I really don’t know what requires a GP, and what could be dealt with by a nurse, for example. If I ring my surgery for an appointment, I’m happy for the receptionist to say a nurse appointment will be suitable and give me that, but that’s never happened. Maybe I’ve just never called up with an issue that could be dealt with by a nurse, I don’t know. But I’ve always just been given a GP appointment (even if I’ve just asked for “an appointment” not even specifying Dr), or been told there’s none available.

Where I live the Pharmacies all shut at 5pm (I think the 'late' one on rota might be open until 6pm). The MIU is only open 9-5 Monday to Friday. The nearest supermarket with a pharmacy is 15 miles away . So it's not really surprising that people don't use resources other than GPs or A&E. I also held on for 20 mins the other day to my GP surgery just to make an appointment for me & DH to have our flu jabs - I rang between 4 & 5 which is what they say is their quiet time, so goodness knows what it's like at busy times! No idea what the response time is on 111 as I haven't used it recently.

I have used the Pharmacist for advice (which was you need to see a GP today!) and have used private physio for me and private podiatrist for DS (the latter resulting in needing an op on the NHS), but we are lucky enough to be able to afford to pay. I know plenty of people who ring the GP for every little thing and the number of ambulances I've seen in our street that leave without taking a patient or the patient walks unaided to the ambulance when there's a car on the drive and a driver in the house never ceases to amaze me.

@SentDeliveredRead

I worked with someone who was pissed off with people asking for prescriptions for paracetamol that cost 28p, so I can see your point

Completely agree with that. I've often turned down prescriptions for simple things like paracetamol because it's so cheap to buy rather than have the NHS pay for it and aren't prescription fees around £10 now??

Completely agree with that. I've often turned down prescriptions for simple things like paracetamol because it's so cheap to buy rather than have the NHS pay for it and aren't prescription fees around £10 now??

I’d assume anyone who used a prescription for that got free prescriptions, because otherwise you’re right, it makes no sense to pay nearly £10 for something you can get for under a £1.

My surgery actually has a sign in the waiting room with names and numbers of where you should call/go, depending on what is wrong with you. All very helpful, however, actually finding a day when the surgery is open, and then actually getting an appointment, so you would be sat in the waiting room to see it, is virtually impossible.

My GP has changed its messaging to say basically don't contact with any problems with your eyes, teeth or feet.
OK, sure some problems can be dealt with by opticians and dentists, but these areas are also key areas for cancer, infections requiring prescription medication, emergent diabetes etc.
So even more life-threatening conditions going undiagnosed and untreated....
Just do your job GP. You are highly trained and highly paid.

It's great in theory but that's about it. I've just spent so much money on pointless products from the pharmacy because I couldn't get an appointment with anyone at my GP practice.

And it's not like the dentists are at a loose end either - mine says it will take 18 months to clear waiting list and not taking on any new patients. Obviously if it's toothache, I'll go to the dentist. But if I have a growth or serious infection, this is something I would expect a GP to help with. Ditto eyes and feet.

Yanbu but people also need to take a lot more responsibility over their own health. As a society we are far too unhealthy and constantly rely on 'easy fixes' - pharma, 'diets' etc. Eat less processed food and move more would be a good start.

basically feels like GP is saying please go away and find someone else, I am not interested.

This came through my door recently. .its brilliant. ,details all local services. I learnt about cues...community urgent eye care services. ...already used it bypass gp and a&e....seen very quickly too.

Also in the UK we have been conditioned to think that the GP is the gateway (or rather gatekeeper) to all other health.
In other countries, you book appointments directly with gynaecologist, paediatrician etc. In the UK you have to have GP agreement and referral.
Hence the NHS and GPs have created this situation by years of wanting GPs to control all access to all healthcare.
Now they are bored and tired and feel overworked and despite earning more than almost anyone else in the NHS they want patients to find their own way to healthcare and medication.

I've been looking for information about other services in my area but not had much luck in finding out via google etc so will probably have to call the GP Surgery and speak to the receptionist to find out! I have an ingrowing toenail, my mum used to fix it for me as she was a registered chiropodist but sadly due to her health she can't do it any more. I'm on ESA and can't even afford my bills let alone £30 odd for a private chiropodist and I don't know if this is something that can be seen to on the NHS or not!

Not around here you don’t. It’s GP or A&E. 111 are no more help than Google and the pharmacist won’t look at certain things.
What’s needed is a walk in centre for everything open 24/7 and staffed by doctors and other HCPs. They could then refer people to the right pathway. Most people don’t need ongoing GP care just somewhere to go with acute illnesses and minor injuries.

@SentDeliveredRead Some people don't have 28 pence room in their budget. Especially with the cost of living soaring and the government cutting UC. There's a facebook group called 'food surviving on 50p a day' for a reason.

GP Nurses - via GP surgery
Nurses Practitioners - via GP surgery
Pharmacists - I use these as often as possible
Rapid Response Care Teams - not available
Podiatry - no self referral, referral via GP
Physio - no self referral, referral via GP
IAPT - not available
111 - I use where necessary, typically out of GP hours.
Out of Hours - appointment must be made via 111 or GP
Hub GPs - not available.

Not everyone has access to the same services, in the same way as you.

Yes, some people misuse the NHS in general, and the GP service more specifically, but there is also a breakdown in communication between people and services.

A few months ago, I contacted 111 after my daughter was suffering from an accident she had a few days earlier. The pre-recorded message said if it wasn't an emergency to call GP. I called the GP surgery who said it was a Minor Injuries Unit thing. I asked if I needed to get an appointment via 111 for that, and the receptionist said no, it's just drop in, 24 hours a day. I got there to find out that it's appointment only - can be made via 111 or GP - no walk ins, and they are only open set hours. Thankfully they weren't busy so were able to see DC, but they were very irritated with the incorrect advice being given out.

[quote lovecamealong]@SentDeliveredRead Some people don't have 28 pence room in their budget. Especially with the cost of living soaring and the government cutting UC. There's a facebook group called 'food surviving on 50p a day' for a reason.[/quote]
I was waiting for a comment like this. My answer was in relation to the OPs question. It costs the NHS money for prescriptions, more than 28p. That was my point 🙄
I have every sympathy for people who are struggling