GP Service

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macliam
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GP Service

Post by macliam » Sun Nov 14 2021 12:30pm

On my return to the UK, I found that the "new" GP to whom I had been assigned when my own GP "retired" (he still works as a locum...) had only stayed a few months and that I've been bounced to one of the other partners.... who I've seen before and would not ask for again (nuff said).

Whilst I was in quarantine, and starting to come up against issues in getting my first vax (now done), I rang the surgery to arrange a catch-up. I was asked what needed to be discussed and I said I was under post-op monitoring, needed to re-evaluate prescriptions, had a recent issue to discuss (and have recorded) and needed to discuss Covid and flu jabs, etc. "OK", I was told, "but we can't give you an appointment for call-back in the next 2 weeks, you'd best call at 0800 and get on the "daily list".

So, I tried this on 3 successive mornings, continually redialling for 10-15 minutes without getting through (they have an odd system, firstly you get the engaged tone, then, if you get through you are treated to a 3 minute useless mumble from the practice lead, then you are asked to indicate what you want, then you get a ringing tone and, eventually you get through) Finally, last Friday fortnight, I went online to book (as a backup) - there was NOTHING available!! I tried again on the Monday and got an appointment with a named doctor the following Friday week (last Friday). I checked the practice website and the named doctor is not listed......

Anyway, last Friday I got my callback, later than arranged, but hey! The voice at the other end introduced himself and asked why I had requested a call? Not a good start, if he hadn't read the reasons provided, what were the chances he's looked at my records? Well that was quickly answered - he had no idea about my previous history. So I told him about my post-op follow-up and that I had found on the website a letter from the hospital about my treatment that had not been delivered to me. "Oh dear", he said. I asked if the practice had answered the follow-up and he said he had no indication of this (i.e. NO) - and helpfully suggested I ring the Hospital to check (I'd never have thought of that!).

Then I said I had an outdated request from the Hospital for a blood-test and also presumed that "he" would also want one to check my medication after so long (18 months)... and he asked what type of blood-test I needed! Then he said to go to a website to book one - and this turns out to be a central NHS outpatient clinic 8 miles away!

Next I told him about the issues getting a first Covid jab - and the need to arrange a follow-up - "We don't do that, call 119". End. Then I asked about a flu jab and suddenly I was told to come to the surgery - and when I asked whether the flu jab could be given before the fill Covid vaccination has been completed, I got no answer - 3 times. You'd almost think they were being paid extra to do the Flu vaccination!!

I didn't even bother to discuss the latest issue with him, there seemed little point, I might as well ask Google. I accept that for some things a callback will suffice - but God help you if you have a problem and can't explain to the caller what you need...... because there's not a chance in Hell that they'll be able to diagnose anything unless you use the correct keywords. I'm also fairly certain that the caller has just been employed to provide callbacks and is NOT part of the surgery team or based in the area.

So I came away from this call with nothing concrete - links to NHS websites, no advice and no indication of any care about my previous history - I might as well have spoken to Alexa (and I think that's only a matter of time.... ) I later went online and renewed my prescription (as the block had been removed after 18 months without a check-up). Totally useless and worthless.

Since I now know nobody at that practice that I would wish to see and it is inconvenient for me (no parking nearby and obviously far too busy), I'm going to request a move to another surgery in a village the same distance away. I bet that'll be an uphill struggle!!
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blythburgh
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Re: GP Service

Post by blythburgh » Sun Nov 14 2021 5:32pm

I feel your pain and frustration. Phone up our surgery and you are number 12 in the queue. This was around 4:00p.m. so you would think it was not a busy time. Got there in the end and discover it is a call centre not our surgery.

You can get in touch via the website but so many elderly people (most likely to need to see a GP) do not have access to the internet.

Last surgery I was at: "Why do you keep on about hormone issues. You had poly cystic ovary syndrome". I replied because the surgeon who removed my 2nd ovary told me I had problems with my pituary gland and gave me 6 months of drugs to sort it". (Yes I should have had a follow up but I did not get it and my personal life was such at the time it never crossed my mind. Health was low down on my priorities for various reasons.) GP just glared at me angrily and made it plain she wanted me out of the room. Saw another GP and sent to hospital. Saw a general Consultant, one blood test and an MRI scan. But my hormones had calmed down by the time I got to see him.

About the same time a friend at a different hospital was told "I am sorry Mr X but I am at a loss. Do not think it is a hormonal problem but will send you to the hospital. He saw the specialist I should have seen had some special blood tests as well as an MRI." Nothing found. It was not until after his death I found out why he kept going to see the GP complaining about feeling ill. All his tables (about 13 or 14) were put in a box by the pharmacist every month. Which meant he could not remove the epilepsy one which he did not really need. Only ever had one epileptic fit but the GP and Consultant said he should take them. But he had been told they worked against a tablet he did need, hence the near daily migraines. After his death years worth of tablets were found stored in his home.

Now in a better surgery but so hard to get through to the surgery if you need to.
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Re: GP Service

Post by expressman33 » Mon Nov 15 2021 10:53am

England’s GPs to get £250m boost if they see more patients face-to-face -- https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... ce-to-face. Isn't that what they are already paid for ? Salaried general practitioners (GPs) earn £58,808 to £88,744 depending on the length of service and experience
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macliam
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Re: GP Service

Post by macliam » Mon Nov 15 2021 11:19am

As you will recall, I am a passionate supporter of the NHS and those who work within it, having had my life saved on at least two occasions. However, I do not believe it is perfect or that the conditions under which it was established are still relevant today. The problem is, with so much political interference over the past decades and the short-termism of governments, it is difficult to see who could be trusted to reform the organization without doing so to further their own interests.

The position of front-line services has always been a point of friction. Most GPs are contracted to the NHS, not emplooyed by it, as are most dentists and opthamologists. Even consultants are allowed to work privately - and often have interests in private clinics, etc. This has led to a meltdown in NHS dental provision (the two founders of my clinic have recently announced they are ending NHS work) and now the provision of font-line GP services is broken. This puts greater pressure on central A&E resources, just as the failure to fund social care has done - because the emergency facilities are the backstop for medical provision..... a backstop that has no control over demand on it's services and constraints on its ability to deliver... this situation is untenable.

To concentrate on GP services, there is a huge need for reform - but the cynic in me says that the current crisis is being orchestrated to "make a point". There is no denying that there was pressure on GP services before Covid, but nobody would have suggested direct action to force a change. Covid has provided "cover" for this, the changes instituted to protect the services during the first periods of infection have now become "baked-in" and are being defended as a symptom of the problems that GPs face. How can this be? Why was it possible, if not easy, to get a face-to-face meeting with your named GP before Covid, yet now virtually impossible to get any attention at all?

Who is actually going to do something to the benefit of the patients?
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macliam
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Re: GP Service

Post by macliam » Mon Nov 15 2021 1:37pm

PS, I have now reported this through the NHS complaints process three times. Each time, after several days, I get a "resolution" suggesting I call 119 - which is one of my complaints!! Each time, to reject this "resolution" my email is treated as a new complaint, with a different reference number.....

Another case where they hope you'll just give up.........
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