GP surgeries have been criticised for ‘a lack of communication’ with patients during the height of the COVID pandemic.
In a report from Healthwatch Isle of Wight (HIW), which looks back on the past year Island health services have faced coronavirus, the watchdog found a dependence on digital platforms cut off some of the most vulnerable as they had no access to the internet.
Following the sudden increase in COVID cases, GP surgeries across the Island initially stopped face-to-face appointments — which are still not readily available, coupled with a ‘heavy reliance’ on digital methods of communication. Instead, they were replaced with eConsult, an online platform where patients can describe their symptoms and receive a response within 48 hours. This changed the way patients interacted with their doctors but was met with mixed reactions.
In the HIW report, one patient said:
“I just filled out the e-consultation form and got a phone call, I didn’t need to make an appointment, it was great”
Whereas another said:
“It is getting ridiculous. Other forms of medical people are seeing us face-to-face, just not my surgery.”
Joanna Smith, HIW manager said:
“As GP practises were required to change their operating procedures, a lack of communication with the public meant that many people were simply unable to access the health care services they needed.”
Different surgeries also offered different services and paired with the ‘digital exclusion’ of some, Healthwatch said “painted a picture of healthy inequality – a sad indictment for a small island”.
Healthwatch has found there is still confusion over the services which have been reduced and a ‘seeming imbalance’ of offerings across the Island.
Going forward, HIW says the online platforms have their place helping surgeries but need to be used in conjunction with normal surgery operations.
The health and social care body has started to look at access to GP services and good practices developed by primary care teams but also at the problems faced by people who have had problems getting an appointment.
Between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 31 2021, HIW received more than 1,400 pieces of feedback directly linked to COVID — with 657 about GPs and 524 about dentistry alone.
Mental health is another area HIW will be keeping an eye on, as the watchdog expects to see an increase in the number of people asking for health as it has been the ‘unseen victim’ of the pandemic. Joanna said steps must be taken now to ensure the tools and support are in place for when those services are needed.
Over the past 18 months, Joanna said they had listened to the issues that really affected local people, which had never been more important. She said:
“While the pandemic continues to be far from over, there are lessons we can already learn from the last year and experiences that have shaped us both individually and as a community.”
One thing that has become abundantly clear over the last year, Joanna said, was that as a community the Island is an amazing place to be. She said:
“The swift way in which every corner of trade, public service and office came together for one greater good of protecting the vulnerable has been awe-inspiring.
“We hope the IW Council and health services continue to work with voluntary sector services and the public to maintain the community spirit which has seen us through such an extraordinary time.”
You can read the Healthwatch IW report here at www.healthwatchisleofwight.co.uk/report/2021-08-02/covid-19-one-year-report.
How can your GP diagnose a medical complaint you may have? Without seeing you. If its a minor complaint, your pharmacy is the place to go. Doctors reluctance to see patients during the pandemic is totally understandable, but most dentists, opticians chiropodists ,etc, etc seem to have got their act together . Maybe I’m missing something here.
Whilst I agree with some of your post I do have problems with the assertion that GPs refusal to even talk to patients in the first week or two is ‘understandable’. Thank God for all those Doctors, nurses, cleaners, ancillary staff and security staff at St Marys and other NHS units who were willing to put patients first, which is what they are paid to do, despite the fact that there was suffering and potential contagion all around them. GP surgeries have cleaned up during Covid, they have been paid hundreds of thousands of pounds for doing the bare minimum to ensure they get paid, but not enough to show patients that they give a damn.
They are just using Covid as an excuse. How is it that every other medical advise is available but DOCTOR’S won’t see you face to face.
GPs need to be protected from the type of people that go into shops without masks and sneeze without attempting to cover it! I have seen this happen too many times in shops and its disgusting that shop workers are ecposed to this. But if a GP catches Covid it has a much bigger impact on others than if a shop worker catches Covid. And that is the difference!
What about all the other doctors and nurses !! There’s no chance of that happening anyway because they lock themselves away in their rooms!! Ridiculous behaviour. I’m not sorry did them! Poor UTC and fork f kind staff are in the firing line!!
The face to face consultation is a safe space or place to speak to your GP about whatever is healthwise troubling you. eConsult has its place perhaps but its not confidential in the sense that you dont know where the message goes and you may not be alone or have a secure environment when sending the message.
time too stop shirking .move on and see patient LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE
they’ve got lazy and are taking Mic now.even my dentist which has tiny spaces has sent my reminder appoint card too go! wear a mask and crack on GPS!
You may get a response in 48 hours, could be a text to say you will get a phone call in 4 days time
So why aren’t the surgeries open yet ? Everyone else is expected to get back to normal , why not them ? What if everyone said they can only work by phone or email ? Am I missing something ??
At last ! Lots of people not being diagnosed through lack of G.P care or they’ll send you anywhere like chemist, opticians A&E putting them under more strain. G.Ps are first port of call for referrals etc we can’t get further without seeing them, if they’re not going to work normally then they should not be paid, money should go to nurses who seem to be doing G.Ps work.
GP SURGERIESPlaying hide and seek
Yes we all know that GP surgeries will never return to the busy waiting rooms of pre-Covid. But there is absolutely no excuse to restrict access to GPs through the telephone or video consultations.
It shouldn’t be this hard to make contact with a surgery and GP as it is now. It’s quite shocking how some public services behave because payment isn’t coming directly from customers.
what were the gps doing if they were not seeing anyone but still getting paid rumour was they were on the mainland giving jabs and been paid extra for doing it
I feel so sorry for the frail and elderly who would struggle to get the help they need.
I can see they would just suffer, die or get better all on their own.
Its not right to expect EVERYONE to be able to access their GP with such a complicated, time consuming, IT driven system.
My frail and elderly mum can use the internet, as can many others to get help from their GPs. Those that cannot will already have family members who are able to help, or care services.
Absolute head in sand rubbish!! No they can’t all use the internet or even a mobile phone you moron!!
What none of you has realised is that the GP’s are the front line of this war against Covid. If they catch Covid by contact with you with your hang nail, then they can pass it on to the very vulnerable patients and kill them. You Morons really don’t seem to understand this, they are trying to save lives. GPs also have other people who you should be seeing first, like Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Mental Health Practitioners, or Advanced Nurse Practitioners.
Healthwatch are not helping, where they could be part of the solution, they want to be part of the problem by trying to throw stones at everyone.
You’re the one not realising that they’ve got out of practice! Been sat in their offices for way too long not being in the front line at all!! Not like those in the hospital whiz daily lives haven’t changed throughout all of this! Get real William
what a load of rubbish everyone else has had to get on with it .
So Hayley you don’t care how many other highly vulnerable patient die, just so that you can see your doctor face to face.
What conditions are people complaining that they’re not able to see GPs about? My GP surgery at Argyll House has been amazing over the pandemic. I can get a phone call back the same day and am able to see a GP when neccessary.
Many people seem unwilling to help themselves and take some responsibility for their own health. This isn’t the fault of GPs. There are many other services which are also available to help. GPs are there to help the vulnerable and sick, not those who are want sick notes and free prescriptions for minor illnesses you can find remedies for at the chemist.
I don’t want my GP to catch Covid from those who will not use common sense. They need a safe work environment so that those who are in desperate need of advice and treatment can be seen.
Can’t pharmacists and the others you mentioned pass it on, who the moron now
I was told that the GP service here was diabolical when I moved back to the island, I must say I haven’t been disappointed.
Everyone else has to work normally now, so why not doctors, taking the cushy way out as usual, if they refuse to see people face to face now, cut their salaries, they are not doing the full job they are supposed to. Receptionists to are acting like tin pot dictators now as well, shocking. Dentists are working now, hospitals are working ok now too, so why not the GP’s.
hard not to criticise them – most Dr’s think they are demi gods and deserved to be grovelled at the feet of. They are quite often arrogant, pompous and full of themselves.It is beneath them now, to be seen face to face with the sick humans