Balancing act over GP appointments after patient told they had 12 months to live ‘over the phone’ – The Yorkshire Post says

Doctors say that they’re able, on top of their many demands, to deal with far more patients this way – especially when the continuing prevalence of Covid puts the onus on them to de-sanistise their consultation rooms after each appointment.

Yorkshire NHS patient told they had 12 months to live ‘over the phone’

However a balance needs to be struck. It has become increasingly clear from letters to The Yorkshire Post that there are people whose illness demands a personal appointment because of its seriousness or to ease anxiety – in short the type of compassion for which the NHS is globally renowned.

And while many GP surgeries have accepted this, and started to put appropriate arrangements in place, there are others that are still unable – or reluctant – to do so.

This is illustrated by the distressing case in Wakefield where an elected councillor has told health chiefs that a constituent was told tactlessly – by telephone – that they only had 12 months left to live.

Such insensitivity is unacceptable, hence why Health Secretary Sajid Javid assured MPs, as he responded to questions about the Covid winter plan, said that GP surgeries need to return to normal, as society opens up, and that he intends “to do a lot more about it”. Yet, while many will welcome Mr Javid’s tone, the great imponderable is whether there are sufficient doctors to meet his expectations and the health needs of 
patients.

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