What are GPs actually doing during all this time ?

[VivaMiltonKeynes]

We were discussing this . In our surgery they have e consult online and you get a call back . On the couple of times this has occurred it's not even a doctor at our practice - it sounds like a service they use and it is really appalling . They don't even seem to have read your notes . The nurses are run off their feet doing the usual blood tests, flu shots etc but what are all the GPs doing ?

My local GP's are doing as little as they can get away with apparently; heard this from receptionists (one notable loudmouth) who are being told to repel as many potential patients seeking an appointment as possible. 'Call backs' are taking 3 weeks to arrange.
The GP surgery itself is 'cordoned off' with tape.
To even request a repeat prescription it is done by posting a paper request into a post box ( home made albeit padlocked) just outside the cordon....not a good look whichever way its viewed

In some ways it’s actually been easier - yesterday I realized I needed to get my prescription refilled and as it’s antidepressants I need to speak to the GP to do that. I called at 9:30 (they open at 8:30), got through in a couple of minutes and had a GP call me back in the afternoon. I’d never have been able to get a same day appointment of any kind at my surgery pre-Covid, especially not calling that late.

However...that might be because fewer people are calling and I have to wonder why that is. Also would it be that hard to give timed phone appointments? I am in and out of (virtual) meetings all day, in fact I was in one when the GP called but was able to mute and take the call, luckily. I know it might be harder to get people off the phone after their ten minutes, but just saying you’ll be contacted between say 1 and 5pm isn’t good enough when people are working, picking up kids from school etc.

I quite like it. You phone up and they triage you. The doctor phones you back and if necessary can give you an appointment to go in. I think its far more efficient. It was way harder to get an appointment before.

@Claricethecat45

My local GP's are doing as little as they can get away with apparently; heard this from receptionists (one notable loudmouth) who are being told to repel as many potential patients seeking an appointment as possible. 'Call backs' are taking 3 weeks to arrange. The GP surgery itself is 'cordoned off' with tape. To even request a repeat prescription it is done by posting a paper request into a post box ( home made albeit padlocked) just outside the cordon....not a good look whichever way its viewed

But this will be because they are short staffed and having to manage too high caseload, not because they are doing their Christmas shopping online or something.

They're not doing as little as possible, they are drowning in work presumably!

Of course there'll be a tiny number of lazy GPs but most are seriously overworked.

@Fortherosesjoni70

I quite like it. You phone up and they triage you. The doctor phones you back and if necessary can give you an appointment to go in. I think its far more efficient. It was way harder to get an appointment before.

I agree with this too.

My GP has been fantastic throughout the pandemic. Easy to get an appointment (including face to face and blood tests), telephone appointments at convenient times, online booking. My previous surgery was terrible with the rudest receptionists ever - and that was before Covid.

GP surgeries are private businesses. The NHS contracts them. As independent organisations, each one operates differently. Quality of care and practice management varies significantly.

I'm so envious of the people whose GPs are "fantastic". I've finally got through to my surgery to find my son's blood tests are abnormal and more need doing. No one called to tell us. I've been trying to get through for days. Anyway, more blood needs taking but we aren't allowed to make an appointment for that until we've been phoned by the doctor - and that can't happen because there aren't any slots for the foreseeable future. I mean, what the fucking fuck? I can't see how this is remotely reasonable or anything to do with Covid. I really have no idea what we do now.

It's really shit having a poor GP @ConquestEmpireHungerPlague
It's actually put me off moving home. It was such a relief to find a good one and I don't want to change ever again!
Do you have the option to go elsewhere? It's hard if you only have one in your catchment area.

How do catchment areas work these days?

My GP has been dealing with my chronic condition which suddenly worsened three weeks ago. Phoned in, got a call back that afternoon, face to face and tests the next day, medication adjusted, further tests a week later, further medication prescribed, discussion of possible treatment pathways, referral to consultant same day. Just don’t know how long I will have to wait for the hospital appointment.
A different condition last year was managed OK by the GP but hospital appointments were changed multiple times by the hospital, who then wrongly accused me of missing them.

This is a regular thread title. I'm suspecting a political agenda.