Will G P Surgeries Ever Return To Normal?

[naomi24]

Disillusionment with the recently adopted and utterly hopeless system is an understatement!

Is anyone aware of an organisation that is campaigning to get GP surgeries working as they were pre-Covid? I want to join!

[elliemay1]

I honestly don't think that they ever will. It's the same situation in Northern Ireland, very depressing

[bookbinder]

Well, now, what is/was normal? My wife and I were married almost 60 years ago. Our local GP's surgery was a short walk away. When he had his consulting evenings, every patient simply walked into the waiting room and sat on a bench, awaiting their turn. There was none of this modern 'make an appointment in a couple of days' stuff. That's what I call 'normal!

[choux]

I know what you mean, naomi. Nothing has come to my attention but can you imagine the acronym such am organisation would have?!

[choux]

book-binder, someone wrote here today of a month's wait (cannot remember who it was, apologies).

[MargoTester]

Our surgery is almost back to normal, still have to wear masks. Sometimes have to have a phone consultation but that usually happens the same day and the doctor will book you an appointment to see them. The most frustrating thing is having to ring at 8.30 and 12.30 to get an appointment, which can result in a queue of 30 people and all appointments already gone. You cannot pre-book for a couple of days in advance for a non urgent visit

[choux]

naomi, please ignore this question if you would rather but I keep thinking of your situation and wonder if the radiotherapy has started?

[MargoTester]

Choux,it was ladybirder on Caran's thread OH's holiday

[choux]

So it was, thanks, Margo.

[MargoTester]

Just happened to read it 5 mins ago :-)

[Buenchico]

While I would hope that patients of those GP practices who currently have to wait ages to have any contact (by whatever means) with a doctor will see a massive reduction in waiting times, I sincerely hope that we won't move away from online consultations in the first instance, followed (where necessary) by a telephone call from any doctor at the surgery and then (again, if really necessary) a face-to-face appointment. The system is vastly more efficient and any idea of a patient having their 'own' GP (rather than being dealt with by whichever GP from the practice is available) should have been done away with decades ago.

[jourdain2]

Buenchico, face-to-face consultations matter. OH's yearly MOT began being over the phone when Covid hit and it has stayed like that. But when he was sent to see a dermatology specialist earlier this year - about an unhealing leg in case it was a carcinoma - the specialist had a dickey-fit about the state of OH's head! His skin cancer had spiralled well out of control and it was all very anxious for some time. If a doctor had actually SEEN him, it would have been stopped in its tracks.

[choux]

jourdain, I totally concur. What we have lost is the ability to be seen quickly/immediately which can be crucial if not life-saving. I cannot complain because I have worked my way around the system and when I get in touch with my surgery about OH when I am truly concerned we are seen the same day.

[naomi24]

Choux, I wrote here about waiting over a month for a telephone appointment. That’s happened twice in recent months (the last time I had no option but to go to a private GP) and I’ve waited three weeks for today’s telephone appointment. Arranged for early afternoon, at the time of posting this, I was still waiting. I phoned reception to say that I’d been waiting a few hours and to ask if someone would phone today only to be told that ‘times are not given’. Yes … they are! I had an appointment! I think the lie made me even madder!

[choux]

Why would they even think they could get away with a lie, naomi?
That would be red rag to a bull if I experienced the same. x

[naomi24]

No idea, choux. If she’d said ‘the doctor’s running late’, I’d have said ‘ok’, but treating people like idiots is adding insult to injury.

I’ve no objection to telephone consultations when that’s all that’s needed - but it would be good not to have to wait a month.

[ToraToraTora]

Not unless they are forced. They've got to like it very much like it is now.

[jourdain2]

My daughter (under pressure from me - I'm v. worried about her) tried to get a telephone appointment a few weeks ago. She was told between 4 & 5 p.m. in a few days. She ensured her phone was on and on the table and began preparing dinner. She did not hear a ring. When she checked at 5.10 p.m. it said 'missed call'. She checked and it had connected for 2 seconds.
Back to trying to ring the surgery at 8 a.m.. No luck for several days. When she did get through she was told that she was held to have missed the appointment and would have to start the process again! She was too depressed to tell me, until I asked what was gong on.
I encouraged her to try again, complain and be more specific about her symptoms & the need for an appt. ---- she has a face-to-face appointment booked for the 13th.

It's not good is it?

[naomi24]

Surely there must be a campaign to stop this? How can anyone have faith in the system as it is? It scares the hell out of me.

[naomi24]

I also waited a month for a blood test. Before Covid I walked in, took a numbered ticket and sat and waited my turn. What’s happened to that? It seemed to work well enough. Another blood test has been ordered - I’ll let you know when that will be. Hopefully before Christmas!
Bet you can tell I’m not happy. :o)

[Canary42]

Bookbinder's first post here reminds me of when I was a kid - just walk in, sit down in the waiting room, and take your turn. Why can't we generate enough doctors to continue that scenario ?

And don't get me started about the dumbos and dragons they now employ as "receptionists".