Is It Just An Excuse Now

[teacake44]

For doctors to refuse to see you in person. When you look at all the action shops have taken to erect screens at their checkouts and the more available ppe, also dentists have found a way of operating, why can't doctors see a way of seeing people other than by video, and phone.
The reception areas can be screened off, and even in the room were the doctor is could have a divide, along with PPE I can't justify the continuation of refusal. What's it like in your area? that's if you've tried to get in.

[bednobs]

Got an appt for wednesday

[Barsel]

I had to go to the GP last week for a steroid injection in my knee. They are seeing people who can't be helped by phone or video, so I had to wear a mask, there was nobody else there except the receptionist who was behind a large perspex screen. Nobody in the waiting room, so GP, in full PPE called me straight in.You can phone our surgery before 10.30am and a doctor phones you back and advises what you can do.If you need to be seen but can't go out, they come to you in the full PPE.

[Pooka1950]

Have dentists found a way of operating? My brother-in-law lost a filling last week and his NHS dentist said they were only doing emergency extractions and he should go to Boots and buy a DIY filling kit!

[ummmm]

Most of my appointments could be dealt with over the phone. Going to the surgery is a waste of time. I also find that I get straight to the point on the phone instead of swapping niceties with a Dr I haven't met before.

[teacake44]

13.02 Well I suppose the word (emergency) carries a larger fee with it.:0)

[Barsel]

Pooka, my dentist is in the same building as my GP but the shutters were down. We have a University Dental Hospital in Manchester so I expect you can go there if it's an emergency.

[bednobs]

actually the NHS charge for emergency dental treatment is less than many of the planned treatments. Pooka, the person should Phone round and find one that is open

[teacake44]

I just wonder now if the likes of, and many other businesses are taking full advantage of the furlong scheme?

[bednobs]

it will be finishing soon. As far as I can see, my GP is working, but just doing most of the work by phone. I think at least one of the GPs at my surgery went to work at the hospital. I don't think any have been furloughed, but I'm not privy to their pay arrangements

[DarceyK123]

Its almost impossible to get to see our GP.

When recently i pushed them to see my 83 year old mother i was told to take her to A&E if she was that bad.

So not only did we have to risk our own health by going to a large hospital, we had to use up their limited rescoures as well.

[fruitsalad]

My dentist phoned me last week to remind me of a 'check up' appointment for this week, I kindly refused it, for the time being.

[Cloverjo]

I went to the surgery to have a blood test with the nurse. I had to answer health questions and wear a mask. Don’t know about doctors.

[teacake44]

13.16 That's shameful, you should have asked him/ her if they would be their, at A&E. ;0)

[barry1010]

Seems sensible to me. If you really need to consult with a doctor you are unwell and more vulnerable. The other patients doctors have to see are also unwell. Far better to consult by phone wherever possible.

My GP has been visiting my very poorly neighbour several times a week, just as he did before lockdown

[davebro]

Seems to me that apart from those on the front line treating Covid sufferers large numbers in the NHS have had an easy time of it during the last 3 or 4 months. Of course when the dam bursts & the backlog of cases (probably having got worse than they ought to have) starts to come through there will plaintive cries for more resources & extra funding.

[teacake44]

The thing is Barry, doctors and nurses are working in hospitals with far more risk than a local doctors., and however good a doctor you may be, seeing a patient even behind a screen can give you a lot more idea of a patients present condition surely. Their only concern at the beginning of this virus was the lack of PPE, that I can understand, but that's not the case any longer. I now think they should be made to see people now, they've had plenty of time to put the safe guards in place.

[chelle7272]

Our surgery does see people, but only if their situation needs face to face. The consulting room, corridors, toilets etc have to be cleaned between each patient reducing the number of people that can be seen. Better a phone call than nothing!

[teacake44]

13.37 Sorry but the line has to be drawn somewhere, regarding cleaning, if shops cleaned every time a customer walked out the door they wouldn't be open at all.

[Purist]

The phone appointments are okay if you don't need to be checked over, It is highly frustrating considering how many places have opened that the Doctors is still a no go for personal visits, yes I know they do allow *some* but these are very few and far between. you have to be very ill or at least have some red flag symptoms to be seen at my doctors.

[teacake44]

Most people don't just phone the doctors for no reason, so speaking to someone on the phone is not a good substitute, at the start of the virus, yes, but not now.