WAITING Times for GP andNurse Appointments

To be fair I must say that I was seen quickly and referred to a hospital clinic when I had a breast problem.

I am being treated via telephone appointment by a yoga instructor who used to be a GP. I googled her.

It does seem strange that there is so much difficulty. I asked when my surgery was going to get back to pre covid practices and was told that they didn't know as there had been a rise in covid figures. I did point out that my dentist had been seeing people since the beginning of the year,.

My DIL saw her GP yesterday!! Couldn’t believe it. I asked her if she had to carry out a risk assessment first!?

As I have reported on another thread, on Monday of last week I thought I detected signs of a previous problem which had landed me in hospital, and at 0800 on Tuesday morning I rang my GP practice. I got through after only 10 minutes (typical of pre-pandemic service) and the receptionist promised that a doctor would ring me back during the morning. This he did at 1010, and I was in his surgery being examined at 1135. He rang the local hospital while I was there, and by 1230 I was in A&E. Full marks to the GP practice.

The triage system seems to work at our surgery. You may have to wait for a doctor to phone you back but on the two occasions I have needed them recently I have been called in on the same day. I phoned last Friday morning and by lunchtime I was in a hospital bed with an operation on the Saturday. I really can’t fault that.
the younger generation seem less fussed about only seeing a nurse or talking to a GP on the phone. We have become accustomed to open access which the NHS can no longer afford. Also, sad to say, we aren’t always the best judge of what is urgent. I also wonder if they are looking at people’s records and judging them by how often they contact the surgery,

I've phoned on five occasions to get a phone consultation re my medications only to be told all that day's appointments are gone - by 8.10 am. Am then offered a phone consultation in three weeks time. What on earth would happen if I had an infection that needed antibiotics or anything else urgent?

This is not a complaint. I worked for the NHS for 17 years until Covid struck and I retired. That great organisation was under strain before Covid and I have great admiration for the way they have coped through this seemingly, never-ending pandemic. However, what is happening to GP appointments? My surgery makes it very clear that they do not want anyone with a Covid related issue to either phone or call in person. Why, then are patients with the usual ailments not being seen face-to-face and within a reasonable amount of time? Recently, after 2 telephone consultations that did nothing to address my concerns, I asked if I could see my GP at the surgery. After a discussion with the duty doctor, the receptionist made an appointment for yesterday afternoon. When I was called in to the GP's room it was to find that a paramedic practitioner was going to see me, not a doctor. To be fair he was very thorough and has made an appointment for me to have an x-ray and, oh goody, an endoscopy. I just worry that this present system may result in people's conditions worsening with dire results in some cases.

Throughout the pandemic we have received excellent support from our practice. Doctors call back within the hour and if necessary an appointment within 24 hours or referral.
If you request a particular doctor e.g. male doctor for male complaints you might have to accept an appointment within the week.
The NHS has been working brilliantly for us.

Yes I saw that redhaired GP on Vine Channel5stating that 3 out of 5 GPs are seeing patients face to face..where??

What on earth is going on? I've heard and read about so many people being unable to access their GP and yet again on tv this morning there was a GP saying how hard they're all working, so what on earth are they doing?

I share your frustration and the feeling that insanity is looming Bea

meant to say telephone triage with GP next Monday after 8:30 a.m.