"Excellent GP care and support"

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought hardship and loss to many in the past 18 months. Whilst all of us have lived through unprecedented times there can be few of us who have not been impacted by the health effects of the virus, either personally or because of the impact of restrictions on health care provision, or even as providers of care. As we all struggle to come to terms with the changes to our NHS and the impact of the pandemic on the excellent service we have grown accustomed to, I am conscious there will be many who feel the current system no longer works for them. 

There are many who criticize the lack of access to GP services and/ or the wait for specialist reviews.  Yet few are prepared to praise healthcare practices and highlight the very difficult situation of supporting and providing care to patients when the NHS and its workers are severely stretched and many exhausted. 

I therefore want to highlight my personal experience from my own GP (Dr Ali at Williamwood Medical Practice, Glasgow). When some specialist services have been significantly reduced and the wait to be seen has increased, I like many patients, have then placed my health concerns and questions firmly with my own GP. Dr Ali was a caring, compassionate and knowledgeable GP long before the pandemic. However, I have witnessed his (and his colleagues at the Practice) unwavering work effort these past eighteen months and I felt compelled to highlight that despite the stress and complex nature of healthcare, now added to by a pandemic, my care has been exemplary. I have felt supported and involved in all decisions about my care. I feel listened to and included. I have seen the changes to GP access and despite this I have still been given first class care by a skilled and dedicated doctor.

In my opinion, recognising and being supportive of GPs like mine who are working tirelessly to provide good healthcare in very difficult times is necessary if the systems are to work going forward.