Why are GP Practices still working differently?
Things are getting back to normal – why isn’t my GP?!
The pandemic is not over yet and the modelling suggests there is a 3rd wave on it’s way. We must protect Primary Care teams and vulnerable patients by keeping face to face contact for those very vulnerable patients who need it most.
How are practices working now?
All appointments are being triaged – this means that people with the greatest need are being seen first and that face-to-face appointments are reserved for those really need them.
Why do receptionists ask personal questions?
Put simply, because they have been asked to! Anyone that is tasked with answering a call at a GP practice must maintain strict confidence and only ask questions to help you get the right treatment.
What is Triage?
The Duty clinician will assess all the information from the phone query and decide who needs to be seen in person, who needs a phone consultation, who needs to be seen via video and who can be directed to a community pharmacist etc.
How do we triage?
Duty clinicians will look at all the information available and make an assessment about what type of appointment to offer loosely based on:
Hear it – phone consult,
See it – video consult (Near Me)
Feel it – face to face appointment.
Where else can I get help?
NHS Inform has a wealth of information to help you help yourself: https://www.nhsinform.scot/
Community Pharmacists (chemists) can help with many common ailments and illnesses and can prescribe some medicines too.
What about emergencies?
If it is a genuine medical emergency then you should call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
If you need emergency care but are not in imminent danger then you should call 111
Please be patient
Primary Care Teams have been on the frontline and have been working incredibly hard throughout the pandemic. Many of them are exhausted and they really are doing their best to help you.
Just like you they want to get back to as close to normal as possible as soon as possible, but we are not there yet.
