GP won't see DS without a covid test

[justasking111]

DS adult has been really poorly with something which has gone to his chest, when his little boy had it wound up on antibiotics and steroids.

My DIL tried to make an appointment for him but the receptionist said GP wouldn't see him without a covid test. So she went to the in-house pharmacy for a covid test kit who said we don't carry those you'll have to order elsewhere online.

Is it reasonable for GPs to still insist on covid tests when their own pharmacy doesn't carry them?

Presumably they think because it's chesty that it might be possible it's Covid and therefore don't need an appointment. I doubt it's because the GP is scared of Covid.

You can buy them at boots or online with next day delivery. I think it's fair enough COVID is rife at the moment and for some people still lethal. There are likely to be vulnerable people in the surgery

Very normal, dd had to be tested for covid and flu before staff could have contact with her for a respiratory illness. The doctor had a system for doing it onsite though since the flu tests aren’t available as at-home versions.

That was my assumption too. Or he may still need the appointment depending on how long he's had it, but taking a simple diagnostic test first makes sense.

Surely the obvious solution here though is for cases that could potentially be covid you just put precautions in place whether or not it’s confirmed.

so both Gp and patient masked, anti bac gel, distance maintained where possible other than at examination.

unless the Gp was planning on refusing to see him if there was a positive test then surely this would cover the bases “just in case”

Given we have a massive shortage of GP’s and doctors in general I’d probably just indulge them for the sake of medical assistance. As a population we’re not really in a position to screech ‘if you don’t like it, leave’ at hcp’s.

Its more a case of; if you don’t like it pay for a private GP consultation and prescription 🤷‍♀️

I was hospitalised and had a high temp.. I wasn't tested for covid nor asked if I had taken a test.. none of the health professionals wore masks.

Given your sons symptoms tho I'd do a covid test as I'd be querying if that's what it was!

Conspiracy theorists are out in force today 🤔

If they require tests, they should provide tests. There shouldn't be any kind of financial barrier to getting a GP appointment.

@Duckskitbank hopefully the GP has a better grasp of statistics than you. COVID is more deadly than flu. Please see attached stats from England, US and Australia.

GP is right to request a test. COVID is far more contagious than flu, so if the OP's husband has COVID the appropriate precautions can be taken before seeing the doctor (though in an ideal world these would be taken 100% of the time in the surgery: ventilation, HEPA filters, masking in N95s).

I had Pneumonia last month (though didn't realise it at the time) I was on my own with a young baby as DH had gone away with work. I've never felt so ill in my life and was getting seriously worried for both myself and my poor baby who was in my sole care.

I rang the GP to request an appointment as I knew something was wrong with me, the receptionist asked if I'd done a Covid test, I said no. She said I had to do a Covid test before the Dr would see me. I said I was on my own, incredibly ill with a young baby, I live rurally, how on earth was I going to be able to get a Covid test. I pretty much broke down sobbing and begged them to see me, she reluctantly agreed but said I had to stay outside in the car park and they would come out to me.

I was blue lighted to the hospital where an hour later I was throwing up and passing out! I dread to think what would have happened if they hadn't seen me.

So YANBU, it's ridiculous, there's so many strains of flu/ covid around nowadays, asking people to test before they agree to see is just insane. Especially if they're not willing to provide people with tests.

@Duckskitbank you make a compelling argument.

I’d assumed it was to rule out specific illnesses and help with what to prescribe rather than to refuse to see him.

This was exactly my thoughts too!

They can't expect you to pay for a test in order to make an appointment. Not for an NHS GP. As then healthcare isn't universal and free at the point of delivery.

If they provide them for free to you then it would be an unusual policy but not ridiculous.

@Duckskitbank what a charming person you are!

So you think you know better than government statistics? Are you going to make the ridiculous "with COVID not from COVID" argument? Are you going to discount all the long term health problems that Covid brings if (like most people) the initial infection doesn't kill you?

COVID is bad news. Avoid infection at all costs.

Right. Because the GP may be a pregnant woman or an immunocompromised individual. Such a wimp not wanting to die or put their child at risk.

Exactly this.

So you would prefer no GP to one who asks for a COVID test in order to protect themself, staff and other patients?

People complain about not being able to get a gp appt, and yet here is a GP trying to reduce their chances of catching covid and needing to take time off sick, and still people are unhappy. That's just not logical.

I go to a hospital clinic every 6 months. A covid test beforehand is completely routine. Order them online and keep a pack for such eventualities.

Seems obvious to me, and basic good manners.

I'm sorry but your son is an adult. He should take a test and get on with it instead of calling his mother to have a cry about it.

Totally fair enough that the GP wants to reduce their chances of getting Covid themselves or having it thrown about like confetti in their waiting room to their vulnerable patients.

Just buy a box of tests and keep them in the medicine cabinet. Then continue benefiting from free first world medical care while taking it for granted and carrying on like an entitled tit.

FFS. Imagine sulking about such a solvable problem.

As a result of this thread I bought two covid tests from Boots yesterday to keep just in case.

What if it’s positive, will they refuse to see you?

Who owns the in-house pharmacy? Is it owned by the GPs (very rare) or is it an independent business that rents space in the building?

I would email the practice manager and ask to see their most up to date Covid policy and/or Health board Standard Operating Procedures ( SOPs).
It would be my opinion ( working in healthcare) that these tests are no longer required and that the gp is being unreasonable to request this