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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

91 replies

Trixiefirecracker · 15/11/2021 14:05

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.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 15/11/2021 17:24

If btw it is difficult you could probably make an appointment at the surgery or the chemist's for someone to do these measurements.

Agreed, but it wouldnt be with a Dr. It'd be with a nurse or a HCA.

Im a nurse/nurse practitioner and if you had an appt with me for that id defo try to enable you to do it yourself. I dont think its an unreasonable thing to do yourself.

MadeOfStarStuff · 15/11/2021 17:25

YABU

Fill out the form, it’s not that hard!

theres no reason you couldn’t chat through the options by phone anyway.

Runnerduck34 · 15/11/2021 17:27

I find the whole econsult form a complete pita.
Pages long, asks irrelevant questions, lots of repetition, high chance of it telling you to go to a and e or even phone 999 for something like indigestion. When you finally submit it, it says surgery will be in contact within 2 days. But I found out that 2 day time frame is only too acknowledgement receipt of the form, then it's another 2 days for a GP to phone back and guess what, the haven't even read the form to know why you want to speak to them.
It's just a delay tactic / fobbing off tactic imo.

Original poster
Trixiefirecracker · 15/11/2021 17:28

@Letsallscreamatthesistene I think the issue I have is I haven’t been asked to do either. If I had spoken to a Doctor they might have said ‘it’s a good idea to get your BP and weight checked before we give you this prescription and you will need to do that yourself using these possible methods…chemist or at home etc’ then okay ( still not great for elderly people or non-drivers) but no one has mentioned that I need to do this but surely that should be the case if they are giving out prescriptions that are not safe to take with high BP or obesity. I think I’m finding it concerning I was not asked any questions before given these drugs, also not really explained how or when to take them.

OP posts:
MaryMcCarthy · 15/11/2021 17:28

YABU

Bottom line is we've elected governments who've systematically reduced capacity in primary care, driving thousands of GPs out of the profession, leaving significant gaps in provision.

We have fewer doctors and GPs than most comparable countries and issues like yours are the unfortunate consequence of that.

Fifilafrog · 15/11/2021 17:31

All boils down to a woeful lack of funding I'm afraid. I see this being the norm until the nhs is better funded and medicine becomes a more attractive career for young people. 😞

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 15/11/2021 17:31

[quote Trixiefirecracker]@Letsallscreamatthesistene I think the issue I have is I haven’t been asked to do either. If I had spoken to a Doctor they might have said ‘it’s a good idea to get your BP and weight checked before we give you this prescription and you will need to do that yourself using these possible methods…chemist or at home etc’ then okay ( still not great for elderly people or non-drivers) but no one has mentioned that I need to do this but surely that should be the case if they are giving out prescriptions that are not safe to take with high BP or obesity. I think I’m finding it concerning I was not asked any questions before given these drugs, also not really explained how or when to take them.[/quote]
Ok so theres the crux of the issue, and you're concerns are perfectly reasonable.

The answer is still the same though and frankly, econsults are perfect for this. Fill it in and ask for a medication review/say you have some questions. You should get a call back where you can discuss these things.

Wiredforsound · 15/11/2021 17:33

I think that we all have to accept that a chat with the GP is a ‘nice to have’ in most cases rather that a ‘need to have’, and if something can be dealt with via a phone call or message than it should be. After all, we are all paying for a service that has expanded WAY beyond it was ever designed to do, and our expectations for our health and longevity are way in excess of what was expected 50 years ago, including for things like HRT. The simple answers are that we all start paying a lot more into it, or it starts cutting back on what it can offer, or finds a way to offer current services more cheaply - and that’s what it’s doing in your case.

dementedpixie · 15/11/2021 17:33

Do the ecoconsult and they will decide whether you need to be seen
Dh, dd and I have all used it for our GP and have all ended up with face to face appointments

TastesLikeFeet · 15/11/2021 17:45

Can you pay privately OP.

That’s what we did in the end for my partner and one of our kids. It’s some of the best money we’ve ever spent.
Same day/next day appointment, not rushed, everything clearly explained, letter that was needed produced there and then as well as a prescription given. The prescription cost a bit more but he did offer to write to our GP to prescribe through the NHS if we had wanted that.

If its affordable to you, I’d recommend. I find the process of getting through to the surgery and jumping through hoops to even get the response of, ‘doctor may call you’ just too bloody stressful.

Our surgery was awful before covid but it’s got worse. My family in another part of the country can see their GP face to face, so there seems to be varying approaches depending on area. Our surgery is locked, no patients get in. Apparently the ‘lucky few’ get sent to another surgery in the group but it’s a fair distance from where we live. I’ve just given up.

Original poster
Trixiefirecracker · 15/11/2021 17:50

I think it does vary massively. I might look in to changing GPs, was never very happy with them in the first place. Thanks for all the advice and views everyone!

OP posts:
theemmadilemma · 15/11/2021 18:06

I phoned my GP at 8.30am and was seen by a Sister who could prescribe by 11.30. I've been through the phone consult process as well and that works well. I've been seen the same day or next as needed after the initial call (visible confirmation of issue was required).

On the screens in the surgery today was messaging about which service to use for what. GP's are now for more complex cases. And announcing the receptionists are now trained care signposters. The system has changed, it's not all straight to the GP for a chat, but as long as you can navigate the changes, the services are there.

GreenLunchBox · 15/11/2021 18:58

[quote Trixiefirecracker]@Letsallscreamatthesistene I think the issue I have is I haven’t been asked to do either. If I had spoken to a Doctor they might have said ‘it’s a good idea to get your BP and weight checked before we give you this prescription and you will need to do that yourself using these possible methods…chemist or at home etc’ then okay ( still not great for elderly people or non-drivers) but no one has mentioned that I need to do this but surely that should be the case if they are giving out prescriptions that are not safe to take with high BP or obesity. I think I’m finding it concerning I was not asked any questions before given these drugs, also not really explained how or when to take them.[/quote]
I agree with you, OP, this is poor care. The people saying YABU have been brainwashed into accepting poor care.

If you don't need a consultation before receiving the medication why can't it be bought off the shelf in Tesco? Because a doctor needs to go through your symptoms and history and see if it is appropriate for you. And you are correct your BP should be monitored.

YANBU at all

GreenLunchBox · 15/11/2021 19:00

@TastesLikeFeet

Can you pay privately OP.

That’s what we did in the end for my partner and one of our kids. It’s some of the best money we’ve ever spent.
Same day/next day appointment, not rushed, everything clearly explained, letter that was needed produced there and then as well as a prescription given. The prescription cost a bit more but he did offer to write to our GP to prescribe through the NHS if we had wanted that.

If its affordable to you, I’d recommend. I find the process of getting through to the surgery and jumping through hoops to even get the response of, ‘doctor may call you’ just too bloody stressful.

Our surgery was awful before covid but it’s got worse. My family in another part of the country can see their GP face to face, so there seems to be varying approaches depending on area. Our surgery is locked, no patients get in. Apparently the ‘lucky few’ get sent to another surgery in the group but it’s a fair distance from where we live. I’ve just given up.

Where did you find your private GP?
GreenLunchBox · 15/11/2021 19:01

@Fifilafrog

All boils down to a woeful lack of funding I'm afraid. I see this being the norm until the nhs is better funded and medicine becomes a more attractive career for young people. 😞
This is bollocks. It's a very attractive career for young people. It's very difficult to get a place at med school because the places are capped.
YourBonesAreWet · 15/11/2021 19:03

I phoned to discuss upping my antidepressants today thinking it would be another phone appointment but apparently mine are only doing face to face appointments now.

They are still operating on same day only though so I got seen this evening which felt like a massive waste of the GPs time. I didn’t need to physically be there. No tests were done.

GreenLunchBox · 15/11/2021 19:31

@YourBonesAreWet

I phoned to discuss upping my antidepressants today thinking it would be another phone appointment but apparently mine are only doing face to face appointments now.

They are still operating on same day only though so I got seen this evening which felt like a massive waste of the GPs time. I didn’t need to physically be there. No tests were done.

Really?!Shock
GreenLunchBox · 15/11/2021 19:32

Waste of your time too- travelling, etc.

JunoMcDuff · 15/11/2021 19:33

I've loved the increase in telephone appointments. A blood pressure check can be done at a pharmacy, as can your weight.

user1471453601 · 15/11/2021 19:34

While I completely agree that this government is hell bent on destroying the NHS, I have to also agree with those who prefer the current system.

For example, I have recurrent chest infections because of an underlying health condition. I know better than any HCP what I need -a specific antibiotics and steriods. My surgery trusts my my judgment now, and are content to prescribe these with just a phone call consultation with a nurse.

On the other hand, I recently fell while on holiday abroad and hit my head quite badly. Following a CT scan, I was told I had a small tumour on my brain. Obviously, when I returned to the UK I phoned my surgery and told the receptionist. Within the hour I had a face to face appointment with my GP, within the week I had an appointment with a hospital consultant, three days later I had a scan, and four days later I had the results.

So despite this government s best attempt some parts of the nhs are working just fine.

I'm ok, by the way. It was a very small cyst that shouldn't give me any trouble.

TheFairyCaravan · 15/11/2021 19:41

YANBU

I have seen my GP face to face through the pandemic because I’ve developed a heart problem so they’ve been good with that, however for anything else it’s been a joke.

I’ve got a new lesion on my ear and I’ve got burning eyes, which I’ve seen the optician 3 times for. They made me a phone appointment with the nurse practitioner, had to wait a month and I had it last Friday, she told me to buy some hydrocortisone cream and ask the pharmacist for some eye drops. I spoke to the pharmacist on Saturday, showed him my ear, he said hydrocortisone won’t clear it up, it needs looking at by a doctor. He gave me some eye drops which made my eyes burn worse.

I phoned the surgery this morning to be told to ring back tomorrow and they will get me a phone appointment with the doctor. It’s ridiculous.

TastesLikeFeet · 15/11/2021 19:44

Where did you find your private GP?

A friend of ours recommended them. He’d had a covid antibody test from them and a GP appointment and said they were great. I don’t know if we’re allowed to put links on or names of things like this?? I can message you the name if you like. It’s in the Midlands.

YourBonesAreWet · 15/11/2021 19:46

@GreenLunchBox Yes. It’s crazy.

At my GP you have to call at 8am for a morning apt. and 2pm for an afternoon apt. which works well for me. I hope they at least go back to a mix of phone and in person appointments though.

NanaPorsche · 15/11/2021 20:18

I got HRT without a problem about three weeks ago OP. I can't believe you didn't have the basic checks done. Does this mean you can buy whatever you want from the internet because GPs aren't bothered who they dole it out to? Surely a HCA or nurse could have performed these two checks and passed the information to your GP?

I filled out the form and was contacted the same day with an appointment to see a prescribing nurse.

She weighed me and took my blood pressure and gave me the lowest strength of HRT patches.

I filled out another form last Friday to say I wanted to discuss the first three weeks of treatment. Was told to put this information on a form - which was like writing an essay and took ages. Was contacted today to say my HRT strength has been doubled and an appointment for a telephone consultation with a GP who specialises in HRT has been made for two weeks time to discuss this new prescription.

I don't feel 'abandoned' by the GP service - it's just getting used to a different approach. My daughter has no problem whatsoever getting her young children seen on the same day. Her daughter was sent to a children's ward last week straight from the GP as she had become quite poorly after having a stomach bug virus.

I think this prioritising/screening patients is a good thing. It ensures that GPs are working more efficiently.

GreenLunchBox · 15/11/2021 20:24

Yes please @TastesLikeFeet