AIBU to just want to see a Doctor face to face?

[Trixiefirecracker]

It has seemingly become nigh impossible to see a Doctor at our clinic. Don’t get me wrong, I hardly go normally anyway but have recently wanted to chat about HRT and get some prescribed. I know it’s probably not life-threatening but it would have been nice to sit down one in one and discuss my options, maybe even had my weight and blood pressure taken ( which they haven’t done in years) and actually talk me through any medication/treatment options. I really would like GP practises to go back to normal but AIBU to think this is it now and they never will be the same again? My options here are full out a form online or text my condition to a phone number before I can be seen.

So you can be seen you just need to fill in an econsult first?

YABU because you can see a GP in person and the forms help them triage and prioritise when they are currently under resourced and overwhelmed.

Normally you’d have to make a call to see a GP anyway so not sure why you don’t just fill in the form…. 🤨

As you say in your last two lines - fill in the form, outline your issues and you can be seen.

This is an non-issue, you just don't want to follow the process to get the appointment.

Ds has a sudden case of possibly psoriasis
. Uploaded the photos as the receptionist advised... Got a phone appointment next week. Why? To talk about the rash? Ended up taking ds to a local chemist who thinks it is psoriasis.. Can't be sure. Not sure how the GP can be sure by taking about it!?
Bonkers... What a waste of a phone call that MAY have been of some use to another patient!!

I find the current GP situation unacceptable and have concerns that people are not able to access the healthcare they need. However you want to see a doctor to be weighed and have your blood pressure taken? Weigh yourself! Buy a little blood pressure machine even

Presumably if you took your DS to the doctors with the rash then the doctor would also ask you some questions and talk to you about how to treat it? So I guess that’s why they’ve suggested a phone call. Would you prefer a prescription with no explanation of how to use it?

You can take your weight at home, put it on the econsult form and the staff can fill it in.

Surgeries often have BP machines in reception. So if yours has this you can go in, take a reading and let reception know.

Chats can be done over the phone.

I know it’s probably not life-threatening

Not sure if you’re being sarcastic?

You can weight yourself and check your BP at home. You can buy a machine for a few quid off Amazon.

I completely agree the face to face provision should be much much better but I don’t think a phone consultation in this situation is unreasonable or inappropriate. You don’t need to be in the same room to discuss side effects.

You’re lucky you can do anything online. A lot of surgeries have embraced digital but mine hasn’t at all.

I’m happy to be called unreasonable for just wanting a face to face chat but my GO has no idea if I’m overweight, have high blood pressure or am a good candidate for this kind of medication. My Grumble is really about not being able to see a GP face to face anymore. I haven’t had any discussion with her about anything to do with this medication, so over the phone or via text!

*GP

@Letsallscreamatthesistene I don’t have any of these options but my point is I haven’t been even asked for this, on the medication it clearly states there are risks involved if you are very overweight but they have no idea if I am or not as I haven’t been to the surgery for over 2 years.

@justabigdisco but that is what I have ended up with.

Except they are giving you a phone call so that’s your opportunity to talk it through. Not sure why you feel that would be a waste of a phone appointment.

FFS fill out the form requesting the appointment.

If you can't be bothered to do that, then you won't be seen.

At our GP I would ask for a phone appt. Dr phones at the agreed time and we have a nice unhurried private chat in the privacy of my home.
If, following the chat, any physical tests/ checks measurements are required they will say so and arrange a live face to face appt at the practice.

You need to get with the new way of doing things. Popping along for a wee chat with a GP isn't on the cards any more. They're only seeing urgent cases face to face. You can easily discuss routine things over the phone. Weighing yourself and doing your own BP is easy and straightforward. Take some responsibility for your health.

I really just want to know if it’s ever going to go back to normal again or is this it from now on? Can’t believe that people are getting so rude about it, I mean we all pay for a service, it’s not free.

@bestcattoyintheworld I guess so, I haven’t been for so long I’m wasn’t sure what to expect but not really expecting this. I haven’t had a chat to my GP about anything, I requested HRT snd have just got it but all been through the receptionist. I don’t have scales or BP monitor at home snd even if I did, am I supposed to just phone it through? I think the routine checks you get at the GPs are useful and I wouldn’t know what to fo with the results or if they meant anything that would mess with my perscription, that’s not my job, it’s the Doctors surely.

*fo=do

The days of popping in for a chat with your GP are over. It's never going back to how it was. If you need a physical examination they will arrange for you to come in.

@Trixiefirecracker

I really just want to know if it’s ever going to go back to normal again or is this it from now on? Can’t believe that people are getting so rude about it, I mean we all pay for a service, it’s not free.

That’s not really what came across from your OP.

Most primary health trusts now have a menopause clinic and they explore the options before referring you to one. My friend has been trying to get to the bottom of her debilitating symptoms for about three years and has only just got a telephone appointment with the menopause clinic today.

No one can tell you whether this is how GP services will remain of whether they’ll go back to pre-pandemic services, so there’s no point asking really.

Wait, what... they just prescribed HRT without discussing it with you?

Hang on, you say the medication states there are risks if you are overweight, I thought you hadn’t been able to see the GP to get medication yet?

Honestly just fill out the form and ask for an appointment, it’s not difficult. GPs are so short staffed, it makes sense for them to triage rather than see everyone face to face and have them risk catching covid in the waiting room.

@GreenLunchBox yes, I fear you are right but am sad about it as I think they will miss things. I understand it was abused by many though and wasted time.

@GreenLunchBox yep. I got it through today.