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Trying to see my own GP

Posted By gde

"Trying to see my own GP"

About: General Practices in Grampian

(as the patient),

Due to various illnesses I rely a lot on my local Peterhead Medical Centre and over the years I have used the services of most of the departments within the centre.

I have the greatest respect for the majority of the professionals who have assisted me as well as past and present family members.  But,during the past few years I am now having great problems in trying to get an appointment with my own GP who has looked after me for many years.  My most serious complaint is that when I phone for an appointment with my own GP I am then directed to either a nurse practitioner or another GP or a locum GP within the centre.  I now feel that the practice should now look further into bringing a first class service to the local population,especially people like myself and many others who are worse of than me.

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Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 6 years ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 06/02/2018 at 17:46
Published on Care Opinion at 18:22

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Dear gde,

I’m sorry to hear you have been having great problems trying to get an appointment with your own GP. I can understand that having been a regular patient over the years with your own family doctor looking after you it will perhaps make this new way of working more frustrating.

With a shortage of GP’s all over the UK, and most general practices running at overcapacity, they have been recruiting advanced nurse practitioners to help fill the shortfall and increase patients access to appointments. I suspect that Peterhead Medical Centre will be in a similar situation and by offering patients appointments with either an advanced nurse practitioner, a locum GP or another GP with greater availability, it means they don’t have to turn anyone away. This does mean that the staff taking the calls need to ask questions, but are perhaps not aware, in the first instance, that you would like to be seen by your own doctor. They are just trying to make the practice run as smoothly as they can for both patients and staff. However, I’m sure they would be willing to help if they understood how you felt. Appointments with your own GP will still be available it’s just that you might have to wait a little longer to be seen.

Perhaps you have already contacted the practice manager but if not and you would feel comfortable doing so, please do. I’m sure she would be happy to listen and discuss your concerns if you felt that would be helpful. As most practices are run independently this would be the best way forward.

I will send forward your story to them today so they are aware of your concerns and of your respect for the majority of professionals who have helped look after you and your family over the years – which I’m sure they will appreciate greatly.

Take care,

Kirsten

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