The reason for my post, is just that, from experience nowadays "see the GP" is not always a straightforward option (particularly if she doesn't want to).
They seem determined to continue working remotely (think they have all gone skiing, tbh) and see patients only when necessary- in their view...
But, when you take a sample with a note of symptoms, you are moving the responsibility from the patient to the GP. And they won't ignore it, if they are unsure.
Some people are more likely to attend an appointment, if the GP has requested it, than to ask for one themselves.