Anyone else fed up with their GP surgery system?

[MamaDuckling]

DS woke up this morning with a rash, from his chin to his tummy. Itchy, red, totally unusual. Slight fever too.

I completed the surgery’s online triage form at 8am and requested an appointment. I’d like a doctor to look at the rash.

I popped into the surgery at 9.30am as it’s not far from home to see whether the appointment was likely to be morning or afternoon, so that I could plan my work day, but they couldn’t tell me because the form hadn’t been triaged yet. What would speed up the process, they said, is to send a photo of the rash (DS was standing right with me), as that would be what the triage team would ask for next in any case.

So I stand there, in the surgery reception, sending them a photo of the rash, of the child who is standing right next to me.

I know I’m having a rant here but I just can’t understand how this is a more efficient process than just booking a 10 minute appointment. It is more surgery time and more time for patients and guardians to fill in endless forms and assess photos. Not to mention the fact that I have now simply been told that the doctor will PHONE me this afternoon.

Is anyone else facing similar arduous processes (sure someone will be along to tell me it’s better this way) and how do you manage? Has anyone managed to move to a surgery that operate in a pre covid way??

Our surgery operated a telephone triage system for urgent appointments pre covid and it works very well. You call on the day, are put onto the telephone triage list, doctor will call and if they need to see you in person they ask you to come down. It's efficient (the doctor calling will not take the same 10 mins as a FTF appt does) and often means I don't have to take my sick child to the surgery (more comfortable for him and less infection risk for others).

The NHS as a whole and GPs in particular are under huge pressure. There is unprecedented demand and understaffing (they can't recruit GPs). They are having to use innovative ways to provide a service to as many people as possible.

Telephone/online triage is here to stay.

And no, I'm not telling you it's better this way. It probably isn't for many people including GPs. But it's the reality of what can be provided with the resources available

Try being a Receptionist.

We use econsult and tbh never had any issues, but I do always upload photos aswell to save some time.
I'm always called back the same day and giving an app if needed, sometimes they just send meds straight to pharmacy.

Can't say I blame them for not triaging yet 930 on a Monday, it will be hectic for surgeries