GOING TO THE DOCTORS

I can see that it works well in some cases in well run GP practices, however in cases where some GPS are reluctant ( I have worked with some) to see patients then I can see some people slipping through the net, particularly the elderly and those with mental illness. I think the changes have made it a lot more difficult for the most vulnerable in our society to access health care

I have just come back from A&E as I fell off my bike nearly 3 weeks ok, I was only sitting on it trying out my new saddle. Anyway I tried to speak to a Dr but rang up on 2 different days only to be told nothing available. So I googled my injuries and did as it said. The pain still hasn't gone away and my breathing is difficult so I tried the Dr again, no joy, so I just took myself off to A&E. where they asked me if I had spoken with my Dr, said no because I couldn't get an appointment so here I auto see you. Broken rib was the verdict. In future any such medical needs I shall turn up at A&E I am sure someone will see you, can't see how ringing 111 will work. Just another government useless idea.

To be honest, I prefer the current system which has been operating at our GPs surgery for a while.

Getting an appointment used to be a nightmare. You had to ring at 8.30am but you were in a long queue even if you could get through. Or you could go in person, but people turned up earlier and earlier and the queue was enormous. Either way, the appointments were usually gone when you managed to speak to a receptionist.

Now you write out your problem and say whether you want a response by email, phone or face to face - except you don't get the latter during Covid, unless it's vital. I prefer a chat on the phone in my own house rather than sitting for ages in a waiting room, just to say something I could have said on the phone. Obviously, if you have something which has to be felt, like a lump, then it's different.

I don't worry about privacy. The surgery staff have access to all your records anyway if they are interested, but I am sure they are not. As for one's nearest and dearest, I often have to go with DH to appointments because he doesn't tell them half of the relevant stuff or ask any questions. When he has a phone consultation, I can prompt him in the background.

I had a hospital phone consultation recently and it was brilliant. 10 minutes discussion and then done, instead of spending ages trekking to hospital and sitting around.

We can’t even speak directly to the surgery, so I don’t know if they are actually seeing anyone. We have to email a central nhs unit, saying which practice we belong to, what the problem is, and if we need to speak to a specific doctor.
I emailed to ask if my long overdue cortisone injection into my knee could be done, and was brusquely informed that they are not doing them because of Covid. “Keep on limping” in other words.
My friend received a letter to say that her annual heart check-up was due. She had to phone the hospital to make a blood test appointment, and fill in a form for eight days with her blood pressure details. Oh, and she would have to buy her own blood pressure machine, because they are not lending them out, due to Covid! Once they had the results, her consultation would be done over the phone by the practice nurse
Someone else I know has died from cancer, seemingly mainly due to delays in treatment, due to Covid.
How many more are being adversely affected because doctors are not seeing their patients?

It strikes me that most of us who post on here are competent and articulate and not unduly shy or anxious, and so are generally ok about phone /video calls with GPS. But as just one or two people have commented on this thread, it may be a wrong assumption that this is the case for the whole population . Many people do not have the words or experience to describe their symptoms, worries and how they are feeling and need to be able to relax so that the GP can slow the pace, observe body language, make sympathetic eye contact, pass the tissues etc..... Phone and video contact tends to be brisk and efficient, which is totally appropriate, time saving etc for run of the mill appointments with articulate patients but may exclude the understanding and exchange of information which is vital foe good diagnosis in more complex cases. It is recognised that many people are becoming lonelier and more marginalised and I think this will be a contributing factor.

Not so good if you are at work! Our GP has done this for over 10 years now and you didn’t know what time they would ring. I worked as a classroom assistant at secondary level so impossible to take a call from mobile phone, much less have a conversation! Not possible to find a quiet spot out of the room either.
System better now as they have an appointment system so you can choose doctor and time usually on same day! Brilliant.

I had a telephone consultation with my usual GP. I made notes of the issues I wanted to raise with him and didn't get side-tracked as I often did in face-to-face consultations. I would like a face-to-face consultation with one of his partners who is an expert on dermatology. It's difficult to raise a skin issue without contact.

I found the telephone call with my mother's doctor's - brilliant as he had such a reassuring voice. As my motheris a 100 - I knew it would be her age but I was wonderful to be reassured
Her pain medication will be increased.

Leolady73. If you scroll down this page (or up to the top) you will see a line where you can click to be directed to
Active / I’m on / Watching /.........Acronyms
Click on acronyms and all will be revealed.
At first it is highly irritating but you will soon be used to it.

Had a phone appointment with GP who then wanted me to go to surgery. I told him details of car, he came out to car park which due to reduction in patients was basically empty and then escorted me in. He was in full PPE. Think it will be the new system. Do hope the proposed A&E system cones on stream. May reduce all those who turn up with problems about two weeks old or that just needs a bit common sense to sort out. The system has been abused for far too long.

This morning I have had to take photos of DH's face for a consult by phone tomorrow. So I have used e-mail as I am not really adept with filming on a mobile phone. I find it does add to the stress if you are speaking for another person ( DH has speech difficulties after a stroke ).
So I understand the need for phone consultations but would hate to lose face to face consultations altogether.

What do all these abbreviations mean please? ABIU, DH ???

I like the telephone appointments and have even done video calls with two Doctors. Hubby's bedridden and has dementia so quite often I have to ring for advice or to change medication etc. Imagine how difficult it would be getting him anywhere, the last time a new Doctor wanted to see him on the phone so we just set it up and she could ask him questions. It's a safe way too without having to go into the surgery.

Yes, the receptionist wants to know the health issue/problem which can be a bit personal as my husband after he had a pacemaker fitted in March then developed problems and had to had a catheter fitted as got urine retention and know its on the computer system but its been a bit embarrassing for him, plus I was in agony a few weeks ago and left it until the Monday to phone the surgery who when the doctor rang me back said to come and see her and she first thought it was my appendix but i knew it was my hernia that had popped out so ended up in A+E and now on a waiting list to have the job done. But my husband did have some back pain and they did a video call to his mobile and I had to hold the mobile to the area in question which could have been a kidney infection but it was muscle stain and he was prescribed painkillers, whereas my old press button Nokia phone doesnt have this video facility. Oh well. Life I guess right now.

Good morning all. I had a phone appointment last week. I filled in the form on Wednesday morning. Got an email saying I would have a phone call on Thursday, but they couldn't give me a time. It was with a doctor I hadn't seen before. I waited by the phone literally all day and got the call at 5.30! My problem is an itchy back. Obviously I can't see it, but DH says there is no rash or redness. I suffer from severe health anxiety and am going through an attack for the past few weeks. I could have done with the reassurance of having a professional actually looking at my back. I had Googled my symptoms (yes, I know I shouldn't!) Avoiding anything to do with the Big C. The doctor agreed that what I found was a possibility. But I did miss feeling that everything possible had been done and feel really anxious that something important had been missed. My anxiety levels are sky high!

At least if we now have a 'one-to-one' phone consultation we won't get the annoying habit of the doc taking a call while I'm sat there when its MY 5 minutes.

Urmstongran- its not always the patients fault- theres a sign in our g.p's surgery says about missed appts- but on occasions in the past when ive needed to cancel i HAVE tried to ring & let them know- but can you get through?? Can you hell as like!! They should have a different line for just cancellations only.

I prefer phone consultations - seems to be focused and works for me.

I've had two telephone appointments [for the same thing]
Not a success at all
Nothing was explained properly to me, they seem to assume a knowledge that I don't have. Everything was done in a hurry

We've been having telephone consultations for years now. In fact, even before they happened I would ask whether it was possible for a quick phone call rather than having to trek to the Dr's, sit for (what felt like) hours in an infectious waiting room and then feel rushed through the appointment.
I long for the day when I can email stuff to the GP, particularly if it is stuff like DLA claim forms so they can see what you have said which saves them time ringing me to find out why I am claiming. They often look at the fact that I am diabetic (for which I need nothing!) but completely forget the stuff I haven't seen them for years about because it has been treated as far as it can be but still leaves me in considerable pain.

My OH went onto dialysis just as lockdown started and has now developed pruritus (constant itching) and bullous perphigoid (huge blisters on arms and chest). He is in a bad way. The telephone appointment was really useful as we were able to send photos of the lesions, taken between changes of dressings, rather than having to go in, remove dressings and re-do them, (all painful and stressful).
I think telephone appts are the way forward, (for most things and most people (though not all - the elderly for example would probably be happier seeing someone), BUT, I think GP's should have a 6 mth "well person" clinic for every registered patient, so that stuff we aren't aware of (like the mole noticed whilst using stethescope mentioned above) may be picked up.
It worked for dentistry so why not for general practice?
Would this be a good moment in time to bring about such a change?

Could you ask them if, for privacy, you could have a face to face appointment? They wouldn’t expect you to talk in the garden and if your landline phone can’t be moved to another room, there really isn’t an option is there. Hopefully they’ll understand, as you are entitled to confidentiality (even from your husband) and you could remind them of this, if they aren’t cooperative.

Where my Mum lives in Yorkshire, the GP Surgeries aren't even open! Getting even a phone appointment seems difficult .... mine in Wiltshire has been open all along - yes we do have phone consultations which are fine for some things, but if I feel the need to go and see my lovely GP he will see me, I have had injections, smears, the lot since lock down and all has been absolutely fine!

Fine when it works but we have not been offered any kind of video call, not even from the physiotherapist! Surely they would have more effect by video? I have an appointment tomorrow with an endocrinologist but only on the phone. Not much point if he is only going to tell me blood test results, he can't see my symptoms.

Why can I just turn up at the hospital for a blood test but DH can't go to the surgery for an injection he needs?

What are all the medics doing with the time they used to spend with patients?

A very dear friend, already undergoing treatment for cancer (and that put on hold became of the pandemic), has now developed additional symptoms. She has had to go through the rigmarole of sending pictures, when really what is needed are physical tests/biopsy, has now ended up in hospital because of the delay. She had also had to repeatedly phone the admin in relation to her cancer treatment, because of non response to her calls. In the end she only got a response because she left a voicemail asking if she was being ignored because they were hoping she'd die and they wouldn't have to bother with her. She is well aware her cancer is not curable and the treatment is a means of slowing its progress, so I fear she is probably right in her assumption.