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?

Many young bright people see that there’s not enough money in medicine and chose alternatives. For someone who is very dedicated, hard working and smart, the pay and conditions are not good enough in this country.

I think perhaps you need to take a break. From general practice and even this thread.

I get that it’s tough. I have been messaging my GP friends this week as I know how awful it must be with the Strep A situation. I sympathise with how unfair media coverage of GPs has been. It’s not easy in secondary care either and mutual understanding helps.

But you are being incredibly rude and dismissive to people. Not believing their stories. Ignoring the fact that most people here are saying it’s the system that’s broken. Of course there are shit and rude and incompetent GPs and receptionists. As there are hospital consultants, lawyers, electricians, retail staff and restaurant managers. Why you are defending all GPs is beyond me. Patients should complain if the service is poor. I would not discourage them from doing so.

Perhaps consider a referral to the Practitioner Health Programme if you are struggling. I mean that in good faith. This level of anger and resentment will affect your health and relationships with colleagues and patients. I am sure you don’t want that.

If I was at the point of counting down the days until I left a job I no longer enjoyed or just waiting for my retirement pot to mature, I would be in the wrong job for the wrong reasons.

Thankfully my GP does not feel this way, acts professional at all times. I can not imagine them ever moaning on Mumsnet nor referring to patients as 'daily Mail readers'. That is stereotyping an entire group of people. Yes, people are entitled to moan about their job but you have to know your audience. You never know who is on here or what they are reading and may recognize.

I am not a doctor but can recognize that the poster must have poor mental health to be posting as they are doing on here. I hope they get the help they need.

Unless this is a wind-up, which I sincerely hope it is , I am horrified by the contempt and scorn this very angry doctor appears to feel towards her service users . Who would feel safe and cared for by a GP who feels so at odds and worn down with their work and the people who create that work ? Who are often vulnerable and frightened, unwell , in need of reassurance? Please please if you're truly this unhappy with what your job has become ,for everyone's sake , leave the profession and do something,anything, that doesn't make you feel this miserable and disenchanted. Surely your patients must pick up on your vibes ?

Yes my doctor friends don’t talk about patients this way. Not in this blanket way with this level of contempt. It’s worrying behaviour.

The first half is funny the second half illuminating

110k a year is high imo.
Let's be honest not many jobs pay 300k

GPs imo were seen as an easy specialist where you didn't want to be a surgeon or hospital doctor.

Or a specialist consultant eg dermatologist etc

Many young bright people see that there’s not enough money in medicine and chose alternatives. For someone who is very dedicated, hard working and smart, the pay and conditions are not good enough in this country.

So, what are they all going to do instead? Say, we take all the young would be doctors, lawyers and accountants, who think their pay, hours and stress are not good enough for them? There aren’t that many jobs in the City?

I ask those who are demanding to be seen what they think the solution is? What is the priority?

You know what would make supply match demand for GP services virtually overnight? If GP's worked only the hours they felt like working, and charged the appointments they did work at the highest rate the market would bear. There would be no people complaining they couldn't get appointments, instead they would be complaining they couldn't afford them. In the long-term, the increased revenue / better working conditions would eliminate the GP shortage, and the price of appointments would come back down.

What we are experiencing now is a classic case of a centrally planned system failing, due to central planning being inherently inferior compared to market forces.

(Although I think central planning does a better job with non-GP services, where demand is regulated by GP gatekeepers. It's the ungoverned demand for GP services that would benefit most from market forces. For various reasons I would keep the system we have, in areas other than GP services.)

Brats??!

Such bollocks. UK doctors are some of the best trained in the world (especially GPs) BTW I am not UK trained.

Excuse me? My post said the doctors are excellent, it was a complaint about receptionists. Did you respond to the wrong post?

They are not nosy, they don't give a shit about your issues. They are doing what they are trained for.

I didn't say they are nosy. It's also very apparent they don't give a shit about anyone's issues. And no, them attempting to triage medical issues that it's patently obvious from their questions that they don't understand is completely inappropriate. They are not HCPs so have not been trained sufficiently to do that properly. It isn't safe.

Receptionists aren't meant to triage but they need to take enough information for the doctor to be able to triage you appropriately.

God OP I really hope I never have the misfortune to come across you as my doctor. You realise these patients are PEOPLE right? And probably feeling worried and vulnerable or why else would they want a doctors appointment?

I get the feeling face to face appointments will only be for cancer scares soon, which is a shame.
Whats wrong with going in for minor issues.

Pharmacists deal with minor ailments, nurses deal with routine matters - smears/bloods etc., to free up GP time.

Going to a GP about, say, hayfever is preventing someone who actually needs a diagnosis or referred to a consultant from having an appointment.

I don't believe people.go to the doctor about something like hay-fever. Sorry. Severe allergies, sure. Mild ones, no. Especially not given how much work.it is to get an appointment at all.

I agree, I just don't think face to face should always be when your really scared you have a very serious condition.
Sometimes a face to face can lead to another issue and medication that you did not realize, or trying to get a answer why you can no longer easily get a prescription.
Avoiding GP always and just going private isn't always great either, (cost)

In Wales prescription free so yes folks would go for hayfever.

My GP is great. DD has had a bad cough for a few weeks now that appears to be getting worse. No other symptoms. Just wanted someone to listen to her chest to check for infection. Filled in a website form with all the details at 8am. Got a text at 9.30 with an appointment for that morning. Because I’d been so thorough on the form, we were in and out in 5 mins. Similar experience with DS a few months ago. Maybe my GP is unusually efficient, or I’m a good patient, but no problems at all here.

@Sidge very sure. They said 'urinary infection'.

@DeepDown12 how strange, well I have no explanation!

@Sidge - agreed and I even asked if they were sure. The response is 'I don't see what else can be, she seems fine otherwise'.

I informed the practice of this 'diagnosis' and the actual diagnosis (And tests results) we did privately after this but have heard nothing back.