I can see a dentist, an osteopath and have an x ray. Why can't I see my GP face to face?

[pinkprosseco]

Where I am Registered the GP only does telephone triage and almost never invited anyone in for face to face appointment whether that's a persistent cough (not Covid), abdominal pains or potential arthritis, a ? Lesion on the skin etc etc. I feel that long after other key workers have gone back to normal, GPS who we depend on as a first line of advice and diagnosis, are shirking responsibility. Surely the missed diagnosis the BBC and other current affairs websites are referring to are only going to get worse. Why isn't there a mandate they return to work properly. Anyone else?

@cptartapp

Understaffing and hospital notes are different arguments. My point was that in the majority if cases it is not unreasonable during a global pandemic to expect people to drop in home BP readings rather than have a monthly appointment to get it checked. However, you seem to have other issues going on.

If it was just my BP or something like a blood sugar I would have no issue.

It's much more complicated. I don't want to put anything too identifying on here. But my Gp lack of action has landed me with a bigger problem. And they need to take responsibility for it.

Just totally agree; some conditions need face to face as do repeated / unsolved issues. I've just solved an issue I've had since July by making my own referrals to check for cancer (which I can do as have previously had cancer) and then eventually paying to see an osteopath. Who I see unmasked (at our choice) as we are both vaccinated. So a GP should have seen me masked at least!!

I do know from my surgery though that the volume of requests is out of control . Phone is quicker . But some have to be face to face .

1. Where do sick people go - GP
2. Where do vulnerably ill patients go regularly - GP

Put the two and two together. Jesus.

My practice is currently triaging patients over the phone and then if needed will arrange a f2f to minimise all risk to other patients.

We are still running blood clinics, all nurse appointments. That's a lot of patients to put at risk because you don't want to talk on the phone to a GP first.

I don't know what the solution is. GPs are overwhelmed. But I realised after about 6 months that I had no chance of my shoulder injury being fixed through the NHS. I was just lucky that I could afford to pay for private treatment and it wasn't serious (so the GPs were correct not to prioritise me, but it was a long time being in pain).

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57229848.amp

The practice where DH is a GP has a three week wait for f2f appointments as so many people want an appointment and there are no where near enough GP’s.

Well, the obvious answer to original post, is because the GPs don't have to.
They still get paid regardless (think they are paid per number of patients, plus extras for flu jabs, etc).
However, dentist and osteopath paid for treatment.
So they will see you!