To wonder what my GP Surgery is actually doing?

[bloodymosquito]

Since Covid my surgery has been very evasive about booking appointments, but now they say they will only talk to emergencies. Isn't that what A&E is for? I have a very ill family member with cancer and needs help but apparently it isn't classed as an emergency

Sorry to hear this OP. We had similar twenty years ago with my dad. The GP wasn't able to help and my Mum couldn't cope. The hospice was fantastic - but might not be right for your situation.

The state or role of GP surgeries is a separate question and there are many factors in play. Too many people, (they are building 1000 houses in the field opposite me - No new GP surgery, no school, no more roads - nothing.)

New and increased demands on the GP including sick notes, MH services. preventative programmes, budgets and tenders.

Change in the way GPs are treated by their patients, (less respect, more complaints and demands - whether justified or not is not the question at the moment but the impact on the service GPs offer is evident).

GPs don't want to do it any more - it's pretty thankless.

So for the OP - she's had some good advice, (and I really hope she gets help or maybe respite care where the symptoms can be managed properly, because what she's going through is hell).

The wider issue about GPs needs a total rethink - but that's not going to come any time soon.

Actually no we can't. We can't expect an ever shrinking number of GP's to keep up a high standard of care for an ever increasing, ever ageing, ever sicker population. Its just not possible. And it's not "offering excuses " to say that it's not possible.

Don’t be so ridiculous and demanding.

Don’t you know there’s thumbs to be twiddled?!

@mathsgirl12 he did have a specialist nurse, and we did try to contact the her recently but we were told that he had been discharged and we could only go via the GP now. I don't understand how he isn't having scans as he isn't in remission and was told that it was terminal. How don't we know that it hasn't spread further as he isn't having treatment?

mommatoone · Today 23:16
I just feel for those vulnerable people out there who have no family or support network to fight their corner. Those poor people who ring up at 8am every day, until they give up because theres no appointments left etc. What happens to them?

This made me feel so sad - you are of course completely right. and it's heartbreaking. I agree completely that it's absolutely shameful - but I cannot see how it's going to change

So no one is allowed to complain or call out shit service from their GP, like, ever. Got it 🙄

Not really, just ill people getting desperate for the care to which they are entitled.

worth looking for an alternative GP practice?
TBH, I've not had any issues with getting appointments, but very aware it varies between health authorities and often different providers within that.
Talk to local friends and neighbours about the practice they use, and see if you can find better.

Obviously I am no expert in your father's case but as I understand it scans stop when a patient is terminal because there is generally no need for them. I believe at the point treatment ceases because it is not working, it is accepted that the cancer will spread. The aim then is to ameliorate symptoms and keep the patient as comfortable and pain free as possible. Scans are only offered if there is some further treatment option linked to them.

OP i must go to bed but linked your thread in life limiting illness so hopefully someone might have practical advice

re the scans, my dad actually cried when they tried to do more scans, his cancer was clearly terminal and he was in pain being moved from the bed. In the end, it made no difference to what palliative treatment was needed so that might not matter.

the main thing is to get him comfort care and help with food.

as I say, hopefully someone will be able to give practical advice.
all good wishes to you and yours

Why are valuable, highly trained doctors being bogged down with administration and paperwork?

imadeitnice so what ARE they doing? I’m not bashing them but it baffles me that they’re not doing regular appointments. I would think they’re still getting their regular salary so why won’t they see patients. Can it be a lot of them have gone part time to pick up locum work which pays better? Because some of them have.
could that be the reason A&E departments are full to bursting?

@Untitledsquatboulder no one has actually communicated that to us, so as awful as it is, thank you

Ahhh, I'm so sorry you're going through this @bloodymosquito it must be torture!! 💐

I can't help with the GP thing (we moved surgeries about 18mo ago, and our new one is bloody fantastic) but have you contacted Macmillan? They may be able to offer some support. You could also maybe call the oncology department for some advice, see what they say? It's worth knocking on some doors surely? Could you ask to speak with a nurse practitioner at your surgery, they could make some referrals for you, or at least wangle you an appointment with a GP.

Is moving GP surgeries an option, they're not all bad.

Can you self refer back to palliative care? Where we are when a person has been known to them they take self referrals. The whole point of the service is that people will eventually deteriorate even if they have been stable for a long time.

Call the closest hospice in their area and ask to speak to them about what they can do to help. Explain that you have not been able to get a hold of a GP. Give then your dad's details and they may be able to send the practice a message. Hopefully they will be able to access some information relating to his care.

Also find out if you can do an online consultation and detail what's been going on. This at least means that the Surgery have something in writing they need to act on.

@EmmaAgain22 thank you so much for taking the time to post and I'm so sorry for what you went through with your dad

Please don't regret posting @bloodymosquito there are plenty of people who do support you here. I can understand how frustrating and upsetting it must feel as I've seen both sides in this. I have cancer but have been able to speak to my GP whenever I have needed to, yet my dad who is registered with a different GP practice and also has cancer which is terminal hasn't been able to speak to his GP since diagnosis. He has had contact with his cancer team but not his GP. It's so upsetting listening to my mum when she's upset over the situation with my dad so I can imagine how upsetting it is for you too.

I'm working harder than I ever have in 30 years of being a GP we are seeing 99% patients face to face. Demand is relentless and unsafe. We have recruited more GPs and still can't keep up. It's horrendous and unsafe the way we are working. I'm retiring in 244 days and can't wait. I feel sorry for my colleagues who have 20 years to go but my parents and in laws are 90/95 and 97 and we need to look after them

I wonder if it is regional?
I had severe vomiting {Worst I've had in many years} lasting 13.5 hrs and terrible dizziness caused by inner ear issue after heavy cold and phoned GP surgery the day before Christmas Eve..and amazingly had a phone consultation and meds.

Hugely grateful.

Someone with cancer really ought to get a consultation.

@bloodymosquito I am struggling to see why your GP won't assess your Dad. There maybe a non cancer related reason for his symptoms. If it is related to cancer, there might be a treatment option. Unfortunately, the UK system is that the GP is a gate keeper to hospital care. If the oncologist, palliative care team don't allow you to be taken back under their care without a new referral, the only option you have is via the GP or A+E (I believe very busy in most places). I honestly am out of options. Take care, thinking of you.

Our surgery seems to have phone consultations, if a patient is able to accurately describe symptoms, and answer questions, phone consultations seem pretty effective.

They also take less time [?] , and of course help stop spread of infection to practice staff and other patients in waiting room.

My GP surgery seems ok thankfully. I rang at 8am Tuesday morning with what I felt was a chest infection, I was seen face to face at 8:55, turns out I've got pneumonia 🥲

GP was amazing. Maybe it is a regional thing? X

@Coucous think you need to read the whole thread.

@bloodymosquito Could a Hospice possibly help with symptoms?
they are Charities, and effectively ''Nursing homes'' and receive no funding via govt or NHS, but Hospices can help support families, and have home care nurses.

Hospices are very good at sorting out pain and nausea, in fact, that is likely their absolute skill.