Our health services are at breaking point. In yet another troubled week, problems continue to stack up for the NHS across Tayside and Fife.
In just the last few days it’s been reported:
- A&E waiting times are still high.
- An ambulance service crisis has seen firefighters, military personnel and taxi drivers drafted in to help.
- The government is coming under pressure to establish field hospitals.
GPs have been accused of avoiding face to face appointments. And frustration is growing for patients and the GP community who feel under fire.
What’s going on with GP appointments?
Dr Andrew Buist, a busy Blairgowrie GP and Chair of British Medical Association Scotland’s GP committee, is keen to bust myths around the issue.
He says it is a misconception GPs aren’t seeing patients face to face. On one day this week Dr Buist reports doing 14 face to face appointments in his surgery.
Here he gives 4 reasons why you may not be seeing your GP face to face.
1. There’s too much demand
“GP surgeries have continued to see patients face to face throughout the pandemic.
“There are huge challenges for GP practices. And the main reason face to face appointments remain in short supply is the system is overwhelmed.
“We simply can’t keep up with demand.
“We wouldn’t be doing our job effectively and would be putting people at risk if we didn’t make sure those who need us most were prioritised for face to face appointments.
“We’re also seeing an earlier than normal increase in respiratory viruses this year which is putting further strain on the system.”
2. Covid has not gone away – patients need to be prioritised by risk
“Calls for ‘just going back to face to face’ is obviously appealing and a politically easy answer.
“But we need everyone to be honest that we can’t just flick a switch and will need a mixed model of phone, video and face to face appointments for some time yet.
It is still not appropriate to go back to full waiting rooms. These could create high levels of community transmission. Many are small, cramped and poorly ventilated.
“That means we have to prioritise. Just imagine being a vulnerable patient – on chemotherapy for example – who needed to come in and see a GP.
“There is absolutely no way it would be appropriate for you to be in a waiting room where the person opposite you may have Covid.”
3. There aren’t enough GPs
“We didn’t have enough GPs before the pandemic and we still don’t have enough now – maybe even less due to early retirement from work pressures.
“All parts of the healthcare system are under massive pressure.
“There are long waiting lists for operations and hospital care. Those people need help from GPs and their teams to manage conditions for longer than in normal times.
“And Covid continues to impact us and our teams – both staff absence and increasing demand by caring for those in the community with Covid.
“There are simply not enough hours in the day or GPs available to see all appointments face to face – even if this was desirable.”
4. GPs need your help to get through this tough period
Dr Buist says: “GPs totally understand it’s frustrating when you can’t get an appointment when you feel you need one.
“But your GP and practice teams are working as hard as they can to see as many patients as they can.
“Do please contact your surgery and discuss your symptoms. We can find the best path for you and judge whether face to face is needed.
“We are struggling to cope. Many GPs are considering cutting hours or leaving as their wellbeing has suffered – both by volume of the work and criticism they are facing. Many have suffered abuse for trying to do their best in difficult circumstances.
“Please be kind, be patient. Our teams are human too – with their own worries, stresses and cares. We are doing our best – please help us get through this hugely difficult time.”
