I don't like the sound of this at all!!

[Pinkfluffyunicornsandrainbows]

So GPs are being told they should concentrate on giving booster shots rather than monitoring and checking peoples health, including those with diabetes and heart problems. The article in The Guardian says -
Ministers have given GPs inEnglandthe green light to provide less care to millions of patients for the next four months so they can join the “national mission” to urgently deliver Covid booster jabs.

Family doctors will spend less time monitoring people with conditions such as diabetes and heart problems, do fewer health checks on the over-75s and stop performing minor surgery until April.

Sajid Javid, the health secretary, and NHS bosses have approved the controversial changes so that GPs and practice nurses can join the drive to administer top-up shots as quickly as possible.
AIBU to think this is dangerous and could mean more people ending up very poorly?

Funny that, because my GP has been told they’re not allowed to do boosters and people have to go to vaccination hubs so the GP can focus on primary care. That’s a decision from the local CCG for all GPs in the area. Maybe it differs by area?

Very dangerous people have been struggling to be seen as it is, so many missed cancers etc.
Highly irresponsible but I bet the GPS are loving it more excuses not to do their jobs properly.
I have neurological problems and I had to BEG for my GP to see me down the phone they said I sounded fine on the phone but of course I would you can't see neurological problems over the phone. Eventually weeks later a different GP agreed to see me and was horrified that I was made to wait.
Makes me furious, all that money they get paid not to do their job!

Hugely concerning.

It's crazy to have GP surgeries providing this service. I had my booster at a hub and my flu vaccine at Boots, for free as I'm over 50.

I do think it's ridiculous that people are having to wait two weeks for a GP 'appointment' that's actually just a phone call. What the hell is going on? Are they working less, or are there fewer GPs because of retirements or Brexit? Whatever is happening it's not fit for purpose.

I also think people should be able to deal with minor things on their own or via the pharmacist, though.

I heard this on BBC1 this morning, very concerning. I had a scan last week and still haven’t heard anything from my surgery. A previous conversation with a GP resulted in an emergency scan and told if I had severe pain again to go straight to A&E.
Not sure what to do about it and have stayed in for the time my GP usually does phone calls.
Sister waited ages during lockdown last year to be diagnosed with cancer. Over six months but once diagnosed the Consultant had her in a week later and has been marvellous since. That wait may cost her her life! I am sure there are many others like her.

I think GPS will be working hard and would much rather be seeing patients face to face. A lot of them will have gone into this area of work because they prefer the personal 1:1 aspect of their job.

Although I think it is important do we really need to use GP this way. I had a medical student give me my first jab. I had to wait the 15 minutes due to a history of allergies and did have a reaction of sorts and he immediately checked with a doctor within the set up.

What annoys me is the people that book then don’t turn up. The waste of vaccine, people’s time, keeping others waiting for appointments. I had my text yesterday for my booster. I am 64 and have asthma and allergies yet have had to wait.

The government say alot of things without any of the practicalities thought through on the ground. Fingers crossed that decent CCGs have things in hand depending on local pressures.

It's almost impossible to get an appointment as it is.
This is very concerning.

I booked a GP appointment a few days ago - the first appointment they could give me was 5 WEEKS later. A 5 week wait to see a GP! - it's ridiculous. The NHS seems broken to me and pulling back on the service further will leave us with nothing at all.

@Kitfish that's ter

@Kitfish sorry i pressed post by accident 🤦🏼‍♀️
That's terrible you have to wait 5 weeks to see your GP, most people who make an appointment probably need to be seen within a few days. To wait 5 weeks is totally unacceptable! I agree the NHS does seem broken and i don't know how things will change.

@Timeforabiscuit let's hope so!
@FindingMeno agreed, it could have dire consequences for some people. Particularly the elderly and vulnerable

@Pinksloth yes minor things that can be dealt with without bothering a GP should be, none of us want to waste a GP's time and take up an appointment that could have gone to someone who desperately needs it. I haven't got a clue what's going on, very worrying and i hope things can get sorted ASAP.

@Delphinna yes maybe it does, although i think the government have only just made those decision so things could possibly change at ur GP surgery in the coming weeks. I think the GP's should be left to deal with their usual workload and keep the vaccines being done elsewhere, it's worked up to now and the main thing is the most vulnerable and elderly getting their booster.

@RoastPotatoQueen I'm so sorry you had to go through that, it is awful. I'm glad u got seen eventually, but having to fight to see a GP is wrong, things need to change!

Covid is the new tool to change everything about the way we live.

But surely nothing matters but covid these days?? 🙄🙄🙄

@Redsquirrel5
I'm so very sorry to hear about your dear sister, that 6 months wait must have been agonising for her and your family. I hope your sister is responding well to treatment and can go on to live a full life. I understand about the scan results, i waited 4 months for scan results recently and that was with phoning up regularly to ask why i hadn't received them. I hope you hear back soon and everything is ok.
If i was a GP i would definitely rather see and treat my patients as you say that's what they train for and want to do as their job. I don't think GP's should be used to give the vaccines when it's taking away from important patient care. Yes there are people who book and don't turn up or cancel which is also unhelpful and leading others to wait longer. People need to be more considerate and cancel if they can't attend an appointment, it's basic manners.

@sst1234 @MrsArchchancellorRidcully
It seems that way doesn't it.
Surely covid should be used to change things for the better though, not to make things worse

@Pinksloth

It's crazy to have GP surgeries providing this service. I had my booster at a hub and my flu vaccine at Boots, for free as I'm over 50.

I do think it's ridiculous that people are having to wait two weeks for a GP 'appointment' that's actually just a phone call. What the hell is going on? Are they working less, or are there fewer GPs because of retirements or Brexit? Whatever is happening it's not fit for purpose.

I also think people should be able to deal with minor things on their own or via the pharmacist, though.

"wait two weeks for an appointment that's actually "just" a phonecall"

Do phonecalls not use up time??? That's strange I spend a couple of hours doing about 15 phonecalls...a phone call actually takes longer as you have to ask far more as you can't see the patient.

Then you may have to bring them in to examine them.

We went back to 80,% face to face a couple of weeks ago and it is so much better for us and the patients... but this Omicron variant means we may have to change things again. I'm not sure I can cope with this so may end up off with stress. So fewer GPs....it's a horrible time at the moment.

Thank you Pinkand fluffy I pray for her. We are 300 miles apart but I hope to go and see her again after Christmas. She is certainly in a better place than this time last year. One of my other sisters is 5 minutes walk away. We lost our dad to cancer at 57 she was the same age but has now had another birthday. Here’s hoping. I have just sent her a lovely present well I hope she thinks so to keep her warm. She loves the autumn and winter.