Most surgeries are doing e-consults
have a look on the website, if they are doing it you will need to type a few details and they will call you back, sometimes I prescribe on the basis of the phone call, sometimes I get people to come down and be examined .
Demand on general practice is up by about 20% and certainly were I work we are struggling with getting the calls answered. We have receptionists off sick and isolating, some have retired over the last year. Recruitment is difficult and when we do recruit several have decided that been sworn at down the phone is not for them.
alternatively if they're not dealing with calls or doing e-consults then re-register somewhere that is.
Despite what is been in the media, General Practice is up and running, we have had 75,000 consultations in the last 12 months for a population of 10,500
I don’t blame the GP surgery - they’re being systematically starved of resources.
In my specific case I did try to get any sort of consultation with the GP surgery. After 2 days of trying, and consistently getting “we are experiencing a high level of demand, and are unable to take your call” I got through. “ there are no appointments available today, and we don’t make appointments for future days” “ try at 8 am to see if any appointments are available on the day”
I know my GP as a fellow cyclist. He’s a devoted and caring man. However, over the last few years I notice more and more locums as the older partners retire. One moved into the prison system ( as a doctor, not a resident!)
The standard advice from local pharmacies and others is to phone 111.
I feel very sorry for doctors, who I’m sure are hugely frustrated.
In the end I used a paid for online service. Hugely professional, and set my mind at rest. The doctor explained why he didn’t think that it antibiotics were indicated given my symptoms (virus rather than bacterial infection indicated )
I still feel that I’ve somehow helping to knock a nail into the NHS though.