Doctors

The age of technology ; Our Doctors want you to use Ask my gp app on your phone/laptop. Sent a message yesterday at 3-00pm would be dealt with this morning between 8 and 11 am via E-mail. Still no reply tried phoning about this query phone lines busy after 5 attempts still cannot get through They dont want you to go to the surgery due to covid but if needs must I will go this afternoon. Sorted at long last

I have been using it for quite a while now. Never had a problem.
I find it really good. Saves trips to the doctors on the less serious problems.

"They dont want you to go to the surgery due to covid but if needs must I will go this afternoon"

I recently and in the current lockdown had an appintment with my surgery, and it is in a large health centre, with several other practices and clinics in it.

Upon arriving the usually automatically opening sliding doors were switched off, therefore thwarting any attempt to get inside, there was an instruction on the door telling folk what they needed an appointment to get it in, and if they had an appointment, then to ring the relevant surgery and wit for some to come and let yoo in.

Having done this, a woman arrived from my surgery, and let me in and told others outside waiting with me to bugger off.

I was led through the darkened reception area, which had its lights tuned off, and the waiting area, the chairs were all stacked up at the back, it was only in the corridor where the consultation rooms were, that there was any activity, the reception had obviously been moved into the back so that there was no one was visible to be moidered from folk waiting outside, and after being dealt with I was kicked out at the side of the building through a fire escape

So the of British luck Peter

I've used it for quite a while now.No problems.

I just believe the doctors and others are using this co-vid crap as an excuse others i mean dentist ,i have not been able to go to dentist for check up for well over 12 months and dont see it starting soon, as for the docs i jsut dont see why they wont see people after all we are all wearing masks we are observing the 2 metere rule so why cant one see the doc ??? he or she usually sit 2/3 meters away from you whether or not yes i realise it can kill people but i just think they are going OTT . G.B.

"after all we are all wearing masks we are observing the 2 metere rule so why cant one see the doc ???he or she usually sit 2/3 meters away from you"

How do you expect a doctor to examine you at 2meters away?

First mate how can they examine you through a computer screenNot every one is tech savvy so cannot use video calls so they need to see a doctor . Last year I should have had a Diabetic review with my nurse which normaly lasts about 15mins .Weight and general health discussed medication and blood results (2weeks before appointment). etc.Appointment cancelled phone call which lasted about a minute only wanted to know my blood pressure(good job I have a m/c) and that was it Also should have seen podiatory and retanopathy both cancelled dont know when I will get an appointment for these

Well I was seen too, and that was just for a blood pressure test, which I suppose yoo cannot doo over the phone

It was just a yearly routine appointment.

I use it, it sometimes saves a long wait on the phone.

Golden Bear I've been twice to Dentist during last few months no problem

I have continued to get podiatry appointments all through the Covid restrictions. And, I must say, they have been absolutely brilliant.

Can't say the same with respect to GP though.

Not been able to see my GP for over a year now, so couple of routine check-ups missed.

I am sympathetic. My GP himself is diabetic, and has been hospitalised a number of times concerning foot necrosis! He does/did need to shelter.

I have not availed myself of the telephone/online consultations offered by my GP's practice, so no comment. The Practice's nurses have continued to offer appointments, so gold star to them. I think routine appointments at the practice have all been by locums: at least that is all that I have seen offered in the online app for booking appointments. One of the locums prescribed meds for me, without any consultation, and added them to my routine repeat prescriptions. It was an item which would have been very dangerous for me to take. Fortunately, I spotted the danger, and was able to get an independent medical opinion that I should not take it.

So, beware! Hidden dangers are emergent in the circumstances we now find ourselves facing.

As for dentists, I do need to see a dentist, but I am hanging on.

My next door neighbour saw his usual dentist in the last few months, but they would not do a needed extraction, and he has ended up paying over £500 to have the treatment that he required done privately. (non NHS)

Seems it is very much a mixed picture!

I know that some people have had problems getting treatments throughout the lockdown but I have had no problems. In fact quite the opposite.
I have had three procedures done a Leigh hospital, a mammogram at the breast cancer unit at the Linacre, countless blood tests done at the Linacre.
An examination by my doctor at the surgery, leading to the procedures at Leigh hospital. Telephone consultations by my doctor.
Had two eye examinations by my optician,which resulted in a referral for cataract removal. And all during lockdown. So I have no complaints whatsoever. And yes I know, I am falling apart

even if only a few people use it, and get answers, then surely it must take some strain off the doctors.

BB why does it take the strain off the doctors they still have to answer the queries normaly within 24hrs. Some times (before covid)it could take a lot longer to get an appointment.Our surgery is normaly open 8-00am till 6-30pm Mon -Fri (half day WEDS) and is run by 4 doctors, the Ask my gp app is answered by who ever you nominate from 8-00 till 12-00 the following day.

yes but it's not like them having a packed surgery then finding out some of them could have been sorted on the phone.

PeterP

I note that you have edited your original topic starting post, saying "sorted at long last" so did yoo go barnstorming down there causing trouble, or do we take that threat with a very large pinch of salt

TTS I dont go to the doctors in a barnstorming mode has this just gets you barred from the doctors and so it should. Has I printed I sorted it and its no ones business how I did it and were was that a threat to anyoneAre you bored today that after nearly three weeks you are trying to use the wooden spoon

Now don't be bringing wooden spoons into it Peter, and I am going to have to take your comments with a rather large and substantial pinch of salt

TTS hope you have a share in the salt mines it looks like you are going to need it

Peter, it is not my fault yoo couldn't get a doctor's appointment, so there is no need to send me to work in the salt mines

None of these rules make sense, it's all about creating confusion and control. People need to see what's going on here, this isn't about a virus, the mask wearing does not prevent the spread of virus particles (not that I believe there is a virus, and if anyone thinks that's nonsense then I ask anyone to do some independent research rather than blindly accepting what your local health authority, council and government is telling you) because a virus would be so small that it can pass through mask, so why are people wearing them? because someone in authority has told them to that's why. And the masks are not good for your health as it deprives you of oxygen and can affect your health long term. but people are still walking around in face nappies. I've never worn one and never will, and neither will I social distance (or anti social distance) or move out of anyone's way. There is no law that says you must wear a mask, none, they are just guidelines and cannot be enforced by anyone or any shop or business, and neither can they ask for your medical information.

And the vaccines, not on my life is that crap going into my body. There have been people who have died from taking it.

I think I will take all that with a pinch of salt

Ashtonman
You and idiots like you are the reason the virus spreads.

Agreed

Agreed. I do not like to wear my mask but I have no desire to meet my maker any earlier than I need to.