GP Services Seem Almost Nonexistent

littlerock

Couple of comments. I had a major op start of this year  and found myself unexpectedly discharged at 7:30 pm two days  later. (Op was successful and they needed the bed,)  Trouble was  hospital was best part of an hour and half's journey home by three difference changes on public transport. I could only just walk and had internal stitches. Only family member was working some distance away and not reachable by phone, as had been expecting to pick me up next day. I solved it by getting an Uber.

Recently OH  needed a CT scan and it was outsourced to local private hospital.  I took him there and on wall in waiting room was big notice saying their private GP service had reseumed. Ok you have to pay but GP appointments were available. 

[Deleted User]

If you can stretch to a private GP its an option but not all of us can.  I don't use Uber because its a bit of a risk and well, 20 miles in a taxi is probably going to cost rather a lot.  But fortunately it was all sorted locally.  I'm not sure a private GP would know anymore about local eye clinics anyway.  But it is an option if you can run to that kind of thing.

Awful that you had to make your own way home from the hospital.  I had to do the same a few hours after an angioplasty.  Fortunately it was a local hospital but will never forget the bus journey home lol.  But no harm done, I did arrive home.

Hopefully now I know about SMILE, travelling won't be such a problem.

Thank goodness, the eye drops seem to be working.  Eye feels a bit better and no waking in pain since lol.

sillyvixen

My dad rang the gp surgery line to try and book a flu vaccination only to find during lockdown the number was no longer in use, he went to the surgery to find a note outside advising him of the new number (dad had an on the day appointment the day before lockdown) during lockdown the surgery has changed the phone number and e-mailed patients. Dad does not have a computer so no attempt was made to let him know of a change of number!! He could not enter the surgery so phoned from outside, he booked his jab that is taking place in a church hall, as they are not doing face to face at the surgery - he was also advised that the blood test he had before lockdown needed to be repeated (he knew this as he recieved a letter) but they are not doing appointments at the moment so they can't do it - but it should be done!!! 
Also he had a sight test early March and was referred as an  emergency for a retinal bleed - due to covid this emergency it has been cancelled and rebooked 3 times - he has heard nothing for the last 3 months!!  Thankfully I work in optometry and have discussed this with my optom who did the test, the fact that I have been ringing every other day and getting him to look at the grid for distortion and he has not had a problem would suggest that the problem has has resolved, but he could have lost sight in that eye. His drs surgery just say they referred him as an emergency and there is nothing more they can do! 
Dr's need to get back to work like everyone else ..
I am not in my in my place of work but have volentered to redeploy as a covid 19 tester - i am front line - why arnt surgeries opening for face to face appointments??

[Deleted User]

I think the theory is that doctors are finding they can deal with more patients via telephone than they can face to face.  However, 1) the difficulty getting even a triage appt for a telephone appt with a GP tells me there are still huge problems dealing with patients 2) I should imagine GP surgeries still feel its safer minimising patient contact.., no one in the NHS seems to be thinking of the lives being lost because of cancellations of surgeries, and clinic appointments.  It does make you wonder whether the NHS is an NHS anymore. Or is it that the Government isn't giving any direction to the mess?  I don't know.

Undervalued

sillyvixen said:

My dad rang the gp surgery line to try and book a flu vaccination only to find during lockdown the number was no longer in use, he went to the surgery to find a note outside advising him of the new number (dad had an on the day appointment the day before lockdown) during lockdown the surgery has changed the phone number and e-mailed patients. Dad does not have a computer so no attempt was made to let him know of a change of number!! He could not enter the surgery so phoned from outside, he booked his jab that is taking place in a church hall, as they are not doing face to face at the surgery - he was also advised that the blood test he had before lockdown needed to be repeated (he knew this as he recieved a letter) but they are not doing appointments at the moment so they can't do it - but it should be done!!! 
Also he had a sight test early March and was referred as an  emergency for a retinal bleed - due to covid this emergency it has been cancelled and rebooked 3 times - he has heard nothing for the last 3 months!!  Thankfully I work in optometry and have discussed this with my optom who did the test, the fact that I have been ringing every other day and getting him to look at the grid for distortion and he has not had a problem would suggest that the problem has has resolved, but he could have lost sight in that eye. His drs surgery just say they referred him as an emergency and there is nothing more they can do! 
Dr's need to get back to work like everyone else ..
I am not in my in my place of work but have volentered to redeploy as a covid 19 tester - i am front line - why arnt surgeries opening for face to face appointments??

Well my largish GP surgery (c. 10 doctors though not all full time) has been far better than that. Yes you have to speak first to a doctor on the phone, then are only seen face to face if essential but normally the same day. Blood tests etc are taking place, various entrances are use with one waiting area under a gazebo in the garden plus another gazebo where you hand sanitise then don gloves and a mask. They are clearly doing their best.

[Deleted User]

Doctors surgeries are offering face to face appointments if it is appropriate and needed. I’ve had a rough time since Feb and my GP has spoken to me over the telephone as well as several face to face appointments. I’m due there at 12 today for urgent blood tests and an examination after a CT scan has revealed a few things. 

[Deleted User]

I hope things improve for you given time.