Annual health review?

DH and I always get annual reviews, one for medication, one for blood pressure check and blood tests and one for an asthma review. Apart from the blood pressure and blood test one this year these have been telephone appointments. The asthma review was by telephone as you can’t do the blow test because of Covid. We have a measuring thingy ourselves so gave the reading over the telephone.
We have had these tests for years. I thought they were the norm.

Growing0ldDisgracefully

Mamacaz, yes it is mystifying!

I did an Internet search on the wording, and there was a link to the surgery's Facebook page (I had no idea there was such a thing). After a great deal of trawling through it, there was a post about 'inviting' people for reviews so I put a comment about my surprise at receiving such. I have now got a comment back asking me to phone the surgery and they will explain. Quite apart from the very long winded recorded message and difficulties in getting through on the phone, why couldn't the original text have explained, instead of the tortuous route and time this is taking?! No wonder locally our surgery is not well thought of!

I think I will give this a miss, got too much going on atm, husband in hospital but hopefully out today or tomorrow then I'll convalescent running around stuff to do.

It sounds like you gave a lot on your plate at the moment.

My annual asthma review this year and last, has been by text message. A questionnaire with various boxes to complete "Do you think you're managing your asthma very well - reasonably well - fairly well - not well at all?" etc etc

About 10 questions of self-assessment, plus a link to a video showing how to use my inhaler if I didn't already know, then a message saying a doctor will review my answers within a few weeks. No mention of my peak flow numbers.

As I am controlling my asthma very well, I would prefer this to having to present myself at the surgery, but maybe not good for others not managing so well.

There has been a great deal of discontent expressed in the last day or so on our local Nextdoor forum, regarding the inability to get through to our surgery, unavailability of appointments and worries about the diagnosis over the phone for sick children. One lady did add a link to a radio interviewe with a GP, putting their side of the extreme pressure they are under, which was disturbing to hear. I am also reliably informed by a family member working in the NHS, that surgeries are paid a fee for the type of 'review' in question. I feel that, given I have had no dealings with the surgery for years, other than one flu jab (the impending one has had to be booked at Boots as the surgery cancelled the appt), a phone consultation a couple of months ago resulting in a prescription for HRT pessaries, so as I have never been diagnosed with any of the conditions their Facebook post specified and am in disgustingly good health apart from cranky knees (which has never been raised with the GP) , that the priority for their time should be with those who have more pressing needs, albeit the surgery won't get a fee for that. I shall therefore, not be contacting them as instructed to make an appointment.