Would you go to gp for any reason at all at the moment?

[Gatorgator]

I’ve got an abscess, which I’ve had before 😬.
Previously I’ve had antibiotics to get rid of it but I’m just using salt water at the moment and hoping it won’t get worse.
I’m reluctant to either go to the gp or take up any of their time when they are so busy.

I've contacted my GP once this week and ince the week before last. Explained my problem to the receptionist, emailed photos and the GP rang mr back within 2 hours. Prescription then faxed to my local pharmacy for me to collect the same day. Can't fault them to be honest. Please do not ration your insulin supplies.

Yes of course, if I needed a doctor, or A&E I’d go.

Our surgery uses 'askmygp' app. I messaged at 9.20am with photos (daughters acne, previous treatment not worked) - stressed it was non urgent and to ignore me if too busy. GP replied very warmly at 10.30 and a prescription sent to pharmacy by 10.45. Never had such a great experience, preferred it to face to face!

My Husband had to have a telephone appointment, he is waiting for knee surgery and as he is 71 has been self isolating and not exercising so he has been in a lot of pain, no problems and was prescribed painkillers. My best friend contacted her GP about an infected dog bite on her hand and is currently in hospital having just had an operation to have the wound cut and cleaned she nearly lost her hand

I cannot remember the last time I saw a GP. My surgery tends to get the duty Dr to ring. No continuity of care here! I suspect for me, Covid won’t have changed anything. Right now I don’t expect to go anywhere for an appointment and that’s no change. I would expect a phone call as usual though.

I had to contact the gp on Monday for my 7 year old as she had a rash. We tried the pharmacy first but he said it required a doctors visit.
Best service from GP surgery - rang at lunch, dr rang me back in the afternoon and did a video consultation.
I certainly wouldn’t hesitate in ringing them again.

Our gps are watching training videos to pass the time. They really are quiet. My friend had a nasty abscess telephone consultation, collect prescription in an hour, done and dusted.

Yes called my gp as smear test was overdue and was surprised to find the nurse was still doing them so went earlier this week. I was the only person in what is usually a very busy surgery and in and out in record time. I do worry about the aftermath of lots of serious illnesses going unchecked and developing during this time through this sense of fear/guilt of accessing health services (arguably encouraged by some sections of media/gov) for anything other than CV.

We've had to phone the GP every day this week for my 80 year old mother who was previously fit and healthy but has been very poorly this week, with anaemia, head aches, fatigue, etc. She literally can't get out of bed. The GPs are useless - they won't come out to look at her or take a blood test. Every single one has asked about Covid symptoms and when they hear she doesn't have them, they lose interest. What else can you do when they're not willing to come out and not willing for her to go in for blood tests etc? Basically, until she collapses and is a 999 ambulance case, they've abandoned her.

My mother’s GPs have effectively washed their hands of the elderly who are normally well. They don’t get check ups and certainly no gp would ever visit. They would just get you to hospital after a phone call. My mother is 96 and she had a problem with her kidneys and the hospital said a 6th month review should always be carried out. The GPs have said once a year. I guess she doesn’t form part of their targets for funding.

Ive needed my GP a few times recently post birth of my baby. It’s been far easier than usual to get through! I had mastitis and had a delightful video call to show my symptoms , then my stitches got infected so I had to go in. The GP was wearing full PPE & said they are so quiet that they are a bit worried! I also took my newborn yesterday for a reflux follow up. Again, got through very quickly & had an appointment within an hour so I assume they are still quiet!

My GP is running a system where you buzz the intercom & wait outside to br collected by your doctor. They check your temp before being allowed through the door!

Online form for go then I had a call from nurse and prescription whizzed direct to pharmacy. All quite straightforward.

My 5yo has been screaming and crying in pain over night with earache. I called my go surgery in the morning (got through straight away which never happens). The doctor called me back within 15 minutes explained why I was calling and she asked us to come in at 10.30 where he’s now been given antibiotics and steroid spray for his ear and feeling much better than he was. I e never had such an efficient experience at the gp surgery. Which does mean people are probably suffering if they don’t need to. My friend told me off for going and said earache gets better on its own but I’m glad to not be seeing him screaming and crying in pain.

No. It doesn’t get better on its own in all cases because it’s an infection and can cause lasting damage. You did the right thing.

I would expect children to be a priority.
It could be that the worried well are staying away of course. Or check ups are being delayed so those who cannot wait are seen?

The appearance of coronavirus does not mean that all other illnesses requiring medical attention have disappeared. The GP is there to treat people who need it. If you have a medical issue that you would normally see the GP for, phone your GP.

The point is that people haven’t been doing this. A&E is very quiet by all accounts. People are putting up with ailments because the message has sounded as if the nhs is only open for Covid and all resources are poured into that. I suspect no one thinks they are clapping for the GPs who they won’t get to actually see.

My GP is doing online messaging, telephone appointments and video appointments in the first instance. If you need a prescription they then send it directly to the pharmacy for you to collect. So yes, get in touch. They can likely give you treatment without needing to see you. Silly to let it get worse and ending up needing something worse that places more strain on services, like IV antibiotics.

What are the stats like though? Are people doing this in the same numbers as usual? Most reports say people are not. Of course they should contact the GP but the emphasis has been in saving “our” NHS and that subliminally suggests people stay away. The message was too simple but as the government thinks we now only obey 3 word messages, the nuanced approach has been ditched. The end result will be more deaths in the longer term.