That GPs do not have endless capacity

[memorial]

The number of threads slating GPs for not seeing or doing this or that is saddening.
They may say they don't blame "GPs" but that's very much how it feels.
There are less GPs doing far more work day on day. Secondary care is almost at a standstill and we are picking up a lot of that slack. Add the can't be too careful/rather safe than sorry, the aging multimorbid population and the deluge of mental health problems....
GPs are retiring and leaving in their droves, it is near impossible to recruit and locums are expensive and do much less.
Other HCP can help but a recent study has shown they don't actually reduce workload or pressure.
We are seeing many FTF but in order to manage the demand we do have to do some kind of triage.
Those of us left are working 14/15 hr days and yes I know other professionals do as well. But do you want to be the 50th contact of the day, the 200th prescription, the 100th blood result of a tired stressed doctor. Would you be happy their decision making is on point. Pilots who make safety critical decisions have enforced time and rest periods. GP are expected to provide immediate access for everyone but also not allowed to miss anything/make a mistake/be short....
I ask those who are demanding to be seen what they think the solution is? What is the priority?
I am ill after a week of seeing numerous ill kids strep or otherwise. I probably shouldn't be working tomorrow but we have one GP on well earned leave and one who has a family emergency. I can absolutely guarantee that we will have numerous complaints and abusive behaviour tomorrow. What do you suggest we do?

Surely the solution is a significant increase in GPs?

The solution is not immediate, but it is that we all pay more tax.

You are not being unreasonable OP but at the same time I also think its fair for people to raise the issue when they can't get access to healthcare. If we don't talk about the problem then the needed resources won't be diverted. I disagree with the government just requiring GPs to work in a certain way, I don't think that is helpful. But I heard that demand for GP appointments has massively increased and at the same time GP numbers have gone down, so clearly that is the problem and not the working practices of existing GPs.

If you are ill, feeling unable to work tomorrow, you should not work, same as anyone else.

Of course. It takes at least 5 years to train a GP from finishing med school. Most newly qualified GPs will not work as us old timers do (rightly so IMO) or dont work as GPs or leave the country. Most newly qualified doctors don't want to be GPs. There is no secret supply of GPs.

I try not to blame, and thank when possible, received great care recently , especially over urgent neurologist app.
have Parkinson’s and no complaints

I don’t agree - I think the NHS is like a big colander and needs a big overhaul. I’m not sure that throwing money at it would help. It needs a serious re-structure. IMO it could do with a business mind going in, not just medical
staff. From what I have witnessed you have some depts working well over capacity whilst others under utilised.

In answer to OP’s question I’d like to see some more privatisation of healthcare, or better, more accessible private provision.

Not so. I am a partner so it's my business. I will be the only partner available tomorrow. If we can't provide a service we will be in breach. Like many self employed businesses I can't just be sick.

Something needs to be done but like you say it's difficult when there is no-one left to recruit. I work with older people and every day hear them complain that they have given up trying to see a Dr. Some have not seen a doctor face to face since before lockdown and then things reach crisis point. Adult social care is in crisis also, older people are not getting the support they need. It is worrying.

No, I'd like to there to be more GPs and I'd like a government that cares enough for its populace and that is competent enough to arrange for that.

When people are saying that they don't blame GPs then please just believe them. The problem is not individual GPs but the system. I've found that in the UK criticism of the NHS seems to be seen as criticism against people working there and it shouldn't be. The NHS can be absolutely failing in its purpose but still be an amazing conceot staffed by amazing concept (that I believe

Yes I agree with you . Individual GPs are working harder than ever. Surely people don’t want to see a doctor that’s been working 13 hours without a break? But people think if they can’t get an appointment it’s because doctors are twiddling their thumbs. Many reasons for this of course .
If it was such easy job for such amazing money surely medical students would be flocking to the job rather than Gps leaving .

Immigration, more tax.

I think people get annoyed because it feels like things were ok pre COVID and then nothing ever went back to normal with gp services. Certainly at my GP I can't work out why we aren't allowed to see them anymore, I've enquired, they have the same number of GPs as before, so why do they refuse to see us? We've had to go private with DC now which I hate doing for moral rather than financial reasons.

It absolutely needs talking about and GP partners spend a lot of time raising these issues. It's the blaming GPs and the massive abuse, demand and vicious complaints we are facing that is my AIBU

You would have thought so, but that's going to take 8-9 years to happen.

In the mean time, the frozen rates of pay and pensions tax inaction mean that remuneration is declining while the workload is simultaneously increasing...

.. Its almost like the tories want it to fail... .... ....

I don’t know what the answer is OP but know this - you are greatly appreciated. The voice of discontent can be the loudest but it isn’t in a majority.

Making medical training more accessible wouldn't go amiss either. When the medical schools are saying you need to demonstrate extra curricular activity, DoE etc it's hardly inclusive of people who come from working class background and may not have the time or money to be able to facilitate the extra activities that make a 'good' application.

As a fellow NHS employee I really don't know the answer anymore. The NHS has been destroyed, as the Tories wanted. My GP apologised to me last week as I had waited 2 weeks for a telephone consultation, but what can you do? You can only see so many patient's. You can't do more with less.

I will be honest though, I don't fully understand what has happened to get it to this point. I work on a surgical and it's the same for us, so many patient's and they are really sick.

What is the answer? How do we get more GP's? How long before the ones we do have are off sick with stress? The conditions in the NHS are dreadful. I and many others don't blame the GP's, I know you are still all working so hard.

This!

weve had a rough time health wise as a household over the last few years and when we’ve crossed the line and got to front care staff they’ve been amazing. Sometimes it’s just getting there that’s difficult!!!

Have you sight of their appt systems? Can you categorically state with fact that they are not seeing anyone?? Just because you haven't been seen FTF it doesn't mean they aren't seeing many others of their thousands of patients FTF.
Demand has skyrocketed post covid. Things we very far from fine pre covid. Things have got worse. Secondary care waits are in the years, many of these are being managed in primary care. How is that OK?

@PeppermintChoc interesting you feel some departments have performed well whilst under resourced and others less well with more resources. Could you share some examples?

Can I ask what you want people to do? People need to be angry about this situation and kick up a fuss (although obviously not take it out on those working at the practice). The situation s not acceptable, I know it's difficult but you really shouldn't take it personally. You know you're doing your best but currently people are not getting the care they need. If you could suggest how people could raise their concerns in a more constructive way that would be helpful.

Of course I don't blame individual GPs. But when you have to wait eg 7 weeks for a GP appointment (non urgent is not the same as not important) it can make you feel quite frightened and powerless as a patient.

I have a friend whose cancer was only picked up because her sister is a HCP and made her go back to the surgery and insist on being seen sooner. I'm sure there are others with similar stories. It's shit for everyone. I increasingly think a sort of European type insurance system is what's needed (NOT the same as the US one).

Lol @PeppermintChoc the NHS is full of corporate types and has been for about 10 years. Private provision in the NHS is generally no better and often fails because it is not profitable enough.

Bring in a £15 fee for a GP visit, to be paid upfront and you lose it if you fail to attend or are late. Reduce NI accordingly.

This!