NHS directive to close all GP surgeries to non emergencies!

[CherieBabySpliffUp]

After spending 40 minutes on hold waiting to make an appointment with my GP the receptionist told me that NHS over the weekend has sent a directive out to all GP surgeries to only hold phone consultations unless it's an emergency.
Also that they have to screen anyone wanting to enter the building (if they wanted to avoid the queue on the phone and book in person.)
Surely this would be all over the news?!?
AIBU to think this is a load of bollocks and not the case?
Can I ask if anyone else has had the same experience this morning?

Just booked a gp appointment, have what I think is a sinus and chest infection, was asked some questions. I didn't actually think I'd be seen so was surprised. Been ill for a few weeks so very very unlikely to be coronavirus

My surgery has finally put a post on FB saying that although they aren't accepting online bookings all existing appointments will be honoured. It's a shame they didn't bother doing that in the first message, it would have probably cut down the calls!

@PinkSparklyPussyCat are you able to make appointments over the phone? Here they triage first, I'm guessing with an online app they don't have the chance to do that? And it could mean someone coming in who shouldn't be?

You can and I understand why although I hope the triaging is done by someone who knows what they are talking about! My complaint is that they didn't let people know that appointments would be honoured and then seemed surprised that people were calling!

I'm not looking forward to trying to get an appointment for my pill check. It has to be with a GP rather than a nurse and I've had problems getting an appointment in the past. At least with online booking I don't have to have that conversation!

Yeah that does seem silly! Here a doctor phones you back, so the receptionists as nice as they are aren't the gatekeepers anymore which works much better. Hope you manage to make an appointment without any issues.

This letter went out to all GP practices on 5 March, encouraging them to triage patients asking for appointments, which tbh is good practice anyway. Perhaps your receptionist was misinterpreting what it says? You can read the NHS advice to GPs yourself in this letter.

All the NHS coronavirus advice to primary care is published here.

Mine just says we are preparing for an outbreak of a new virus covid 19. And to stay up to date.

On news night it seems that some surgeries are choosing to do this.