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?

Such bollocks. UK doctors are some of the best trained in the world (especially GPs) BTW I am not UK trained. Its the government and system at fault and doctors and other staff trying their best in a broken system are being scapegoated. You are a fool if you believe otherwise.

Receptionists ara whole other thread and wrongly denigrated and abused.

They are not nosy, they don't give a shit about your issues. They are doing what they are trained for. They are training in care navigation. The need information to allow the doctors to safely prioritise and triage. Jeez you give 999, pharmacists even bankers more information. They are badly paid and badly treated for what they do and I couldn't run my practice without them. Go do it for a day if it's so easy to do eh

Early in my working life I worked in customer facing role where confidentially was crucial.

As @memorial says, the receptionists have less than zero interest in your personal details. Their sole goal is attempting to ensure you are, for example, not demanding to book a GP appointment when an appointment with a nurse would be more appropriate.

Of course, some people are so far up their own arses, they spit the dummy and become an in-office joke. That's the joke which will be shared with 'the boss' who will roll their eyes whenever their name is mentioned.

Whereas customers who treated us with respect and decency were the same customers for whom we would bend over backwards to assist.

Bad attitude, particularly arrogance/unwarranted superiority complexes, can be instantly identified and responded to even by those is 'lesser' jobs.

I don't imagine that has changed in 40+ years.🙂

Umm...who decides their pay? Whose fault is it that they are badly paid? I'm genuinely asking by their way as I thought that GP surgeries are run by GPs.

I don't mind giving them medical information as I know that they have been asked to ask for it so I don't blame.them for it. I just wish they were a bit friendlier. My elderly father always gets me to call them because he's so scared of them. They don't understand his accent and get very angry or put down the phone.

Anyway, obviously none of this is the GPs fault. The fault lies with the system. It's very, very important that people feel they can complain about the system without risking offending GPs or others in the NHS otherwise how will things change? You are just playing into the hands of the government by conflating complaints about the NHS with complaints about the people working in it.

This is something that politicians do as well. On purpose of course. You and your patients are on the same side. We all want the same. An NHS that gives reasonably efficient and effective care.

I read somewhere that for 30 newly qualified midwives, only 1 starts working for NHS. Is this the same case with GPs?

The Government has to fund training for NHS clinicians. They have not been funding enough training places #ToryBritain

Umm...who decides their pay? Whose fault is it that they are badly paid? I'm genuinely asking by their way as I thought that GP surgeries are run by GPs.

Quite! Receptionists are also treated badly by their employers (GPs). Part of my job is delivering specific MH training to GPs, police, 3rd sector etc. We also deliver specifically for GP Receptionists.

Without fail every time they tell us how grateful they are for this training as they are always overlooked, never offered training they feel would be helpful. They also don’t receive supervision or reflective practice, or the opportunity to discuss difficult cases or incidents with anyone, even when they ask for it. All of which would make them feel more supported, more valued members of the practice, more informed and have the knock on effect of better service for patients.

But no, it’s all the patients fault (again).

Absolute rubbish

I’m really struggling to empathise with you OP when you are constantly undermining posters contributions to this thread.

I have the utmost respect for NHS GP’s. I can’t imagine the pressure, stress and caseloads you’re all under. The abuse you receive. The shit pay. Little to no recognition. Some people abuse and misuse the service. Everyday people don’t have the answers. Everyday people can’t make solutions. I get how frustrating that must feel. Totally I do.

But stop trying to goad posters who are offering their personal experiences. Every practice and Trust is different. Everyone on this thread who are HCP and NHS staff will experience things different to you. We are all in the same sinking ship. So what exactly are you trying to get from this?

It’s true that GP partners decide the pay of their employees including receptionists. But if you looked at the accounts of the average GP practice there really isn’t a lot of money to spare to pay them more unless you want to stop being able to attract other members of staff, including new GP partners. They really aren’t all paid that much.

I’m a GP who turned down partnership in order to stay a salaried GP because it looked an even more horrendously pressured job than being a salaried GP without much in the way of rewards. And I did get to see the accounts (of a relatively high earning dispensing practice) before I made my decision.

Our receptionists are lovely ditto the pharmacy staff. During lockdown when we had to talk through a speaker. One big ugly guy said he'd come for a scrip for his missus. Reception asked him to wait. The abuse she got was awful, he stormed off back to his car and roared off in his souped up vehicle. His poor partner probably needed that medicine.

In Wales the government have a running mantra use the pharmacy. Pre covid I'd known the staff for years. Now so many have left the newbies are struggling with it. They offer delivery. Nursing homes meds fill box after box.

Our neighbours hale and hearty walk the dog twice a day, have lunch out most days. But refuse to wait for the prescription. They're both retired NHS staff 🙄

So quick to dismiss others but you want us to accept everything YOU say at face value?

How arrogant to assume your own experiences are the only POSSIBLE experiences - that everyone else is clearly just making it up.

Please do elaborate on which part of my post you felt was absolute rubbish?

Well presumably they could not miss their appointments?

@DeepDown12 you sure they didn’t say she had a URTI?

Upper respiratory tract infection.

Usually established by examining the upper respiratory tract eg throat, and often the ears and presenting with cough, sore throat and fever.

Being the parent of a Uni student I was so surprised to see how competitive it is to get a place on a medicine degree. Which I assume is a lack of places due to a lack of doctors to train etc. I personally like the fact there are phone call appointments too. Makes it easier many times and when I found a breast lump earlier this year I was seen by my GP the next working day, and within 48hrs had been seen at the hospital and had a mammogram and thankfully given the all clear. I’ve also had many medical frustrations with a long term pancreas disease but I appreciate that the NHS is restricted by funds. I also see what it’s like on the other side of the Atlantic in health groups and I know what I’d prefer.

Struggling to find my empathy when this local GP is advertised at £64 per hour! Let's be honest, most GP's are glorified signposters, referring us on to other services

@Tessabelle74 - if it’s that easy why are so many GP’s leaving? Why haven’t you applied for the job?

How are they supposed to pay for their appointments? No income apart from pip , no means tested benefits to entitle them to free appointments?
You don't have a fucking clue do you how people with complex health conditions live?

@Parker231 many are retiring, mainly because they've made an absolute fortune working for the NHS. Lack of medical school places are causing the lack of GP's, not shit pay as some posters claim

No one said shit pay. Demand respect working conditions. You could not pay me enough to work more sessions. And we cannot recruit for love or money. It's too late for money to solve this.

Is anyone else here thinking that this person, whoever they are, should be reported? If this is real (which I am now doubting it is), then I have never known a doctor to conduct themselves in this manner. I am sure they are breaking their code of practice they have signed! So unprofessional on every level.

Well since we still have a semblance of free speech, in this country who do you want to report it to?

@justasking111 Yes we do have 'free speech' but people in certain professions have to watch what they say whether they are on duty or not. It comes with the job. My daughter (who acts professionally) would be reported to the trust if she behaved in this manner.

@memorial actually @FlissyPaps did so please stop trying to make out you're always right. My husband is a nurse, forgive me if I don't fetch my violin for you all sitting on the phone I your cosy surgeries, then driving your cars home that are probably worth what my house is. Oh and please don't say I'm talking rubbish, as like I said, I know a partner in the practice whose advert I shared and they have 4 cars worth more than every car I've ever owned!

Oh the self righteous daily mail readers have arrived. No wonder no bright young people want to be doctors. Who can blame them with people like you around? Report me? 4 cars? Jeezus. Beyond pathetic.

Well we can all be priggish. Les Dawson made a good living out of Cissie and Ada.