"Access to services since COVID"

I suffer from COPD/Emphysema, I had a exacerbation last week & contacted the Respiratory Rapid Response (RRR) team.

Before I go any further I would like to draw to your attention that I was never personally or otherwise introduced to this “new” service by any GP practice or Health care worker. Being diagnosed some 6/7 years ago, I have had little to no help with my condition.. during C19 it was almost impossible to get an appointment with my GP without being led a merry dance through 111 directed to by the reception of my GP .. .. it could take up to & over 24hrs on occasion to eventually get a prescription from my GP .. after C19 I eventually contacted my GP for a COPD check .. something that I think should have automatically been done rather than myself have to chase an appointment after almost 2 years.. still nothing was mentioned to me about RRR.

I found out about this invaluable service through a friend & contacted my GP myself to get them to put me in contact with RRR. I can’t thank the staff there enough for the care that they have given me since first contact.

Would it be an idea that this service could be more readily available to people & their presence known to many sufferers like myself .. I personally have found it a very effective service more so due to the demise of our GPs area wide… where & why are they still like the Scarlet Pimpernel??

I’m sure you know that I am not alone in wondering where have all the GPs gone?

Is there something we don’t know .. has it been changed so that that only the favoured few get to see a GP?? All jesting aside .. why is it that almost on a daily basis that I and many others receive a “text” to say no appointments available for the day, sometimes as early as 8am .. why is it that many of the GP roles have been passed on to the pharmacies? these roles once fulfilled by GPs surely free up space .. not reduce? 

Why or who came up with the idea that you should still be sending pics of your ailments to a WhatsApp page?

I am a techno dinosaur.. I want to see a Dr not take a pic .. I’m 57 .. what about all the oldies?

This is a form of discrimination, more especially to the elderly.. I didn’t learn how to use a computer at the school .. I still can’t use a computer.. not everyone has someone who can do this for them & not everyone wants to share their illness with others .. the receptionist only needs a brief explanation.. I get that there are some elders who are just lonely but, there are ways & means around this.. if you really want to address that issue .. it’s not rocket science! 

I personally feel disconnected with my GP practice now, & I know many feel the same, it’s not very nice to get the third degree as to why you feel that you need to see a Dr, so much so that I have avoided doing so, again as has many others & some of whom are sadly not with us today because of that .. & I speak from several personal bereavements  & late diagnosis! 

 I’m much happier now that I’ve got RRR at least for my COPD.

I think myself & many many others would welcome being made aware of the reasons as to why Drs appointments are becoming fewer & further between … the queues at A&E getting bigger with illnesses that could be dealt with by their GPs IF only folk could get to see them .. I share the posts that are put up not to attend A&E unless an emergency but it feels like there is a pattern evolving.

People laughed at the start of C19 when the GPs became unavailable, as I stated watch this space .. after this is over you still won’t be ablwe to see your GP .. 

I really wanted to be proved wrong .. Alas sad to say I’ve been proved right! Not at all what I wanted but, there you go! 

I know elderly that haven’t had their annual checks for several years .. yes That C word still there but, I don’t even want to think of the many that have fallen through this net .. those that have passed away for fear of putting pressure on the NHS & GPs.. the advice & advertising of not putting a strain on the already weakened NHS pre Covid I might add. I’d happily employ whoever ran the campaign that made everyone so afraid during Covid to now boost our once wonderful NHS .. if they did half as good a job at that as they did for C19 the NHS would be running as smooth as butter!