"E-Consult process during Covid19 Pandemic "

For many years we have had a good service from the practice as a whole. Whilst we understand the ongoing issues caused by Covid for both the NHS and patients, the recently added option to use the E-Consult form to make basic appointments, request home visits, district nurses or just advice or a consultation, is totally ludicrous.

How can people over the age of 70 can be expected to be able to spend 20 minutes completing a multi choice questionnaire which at times, doesn't even have the correct or relevant options whilst naturally always being concerned about their health or family member's health (often with serious ongoing and worsening conditions)? Many do not know how to use technology or even have access to it!!!! As for reserved appointments for 111 to access, there are none! There is no way of simply getting through to your local GP. 111 are excellent, as are the emergency paramedics, but it is not always appropriate to use them as the first point of call, if it is not an emergency.

There is no follow up care during this Covid time for vulnerable, ill patients and it appears to only be available from the 111 out of hours service and GP's. The option to make your own decisions about whether you need to see a nurse, GP etc has gone. Which only adds to the worry relating to illness etc. Prior to this, we had an excellent relationship with all of the surgery staff. We now lack confidence in our surgery and do not want to feel as though we are wasting resources by having to call 111 or 999.