GP surgeries in lockdown: readers give their verdict

On April 12, The Yorkshire Post published a reader's letter entitled 'Time for GP surgeries to welcome back patients' which contended that too many GP surgeries still have their shutters firmly down - and patients in need of help are missing out as a result.

This is a issue that many of our readers feel very strongly about, and following the publication of the letter, many of you got in touch to have your say.

Here is a selection of readers' thoughts and experiences surrounding GP surgeries in lockdown.

"We have very nice receptionists but how long before we can actually see a doctor is anyone’s guess. They cannot hide behind Covid forever." - Christine Beebee.

"It’s nigh on impossible to have a face to face consultation with a GP." - Fiona Love.

"They are all double jabbed, and so will we be soon, so why not?" - Christine Landon.

"It amazes me that you can now get a haircut, go shopping, go to the pub but can you can’t get a doctor’s appointment." - Greta Ward.

"They have not been loving this. They have been dealing with more consultations than ever before, but a lot is having to be managed over the telephone. The demand is frankly horrendous." - Alison Lawton.

"Not on...those on a lot less salary have been taking a lot more risks." - Maureen Carney.

"I’ve been to face to face appointments throughout the pandemic – even changed GP surgeries after I moved house and still no issues getting an appointment." - Lauren Bourne.

"It’s been like that before Covid. Getting paid too much for little service." - Janet Taylor.

"Our GP surgery and reception team have been wonderful. Consultants not so much." - Sandra Tickner-Hobson

"Really difficult to get through on the phone in usual times. Just about impossible at the moment, and when you do you get an appointment, it is usually with a practice nurse." - Angie Crowther.

"My mum’s doctors in Thirsk have been great, very supportive to a 90-year-old woman." - June Adamson.

"I’d like to know why ‘some’ surgeries are performing minor surgery procedures as normal but ours isn’t." - Pauline Oakes.

"Can’t get a face to face appointment with mine for love nor money." - Sandra Anne Rea.

"This is why A&E depts are over run with patients." - Liz Burnley.

"There’s more to a face to face consultation than a patient sitting and telling the doctor about symptoms. The doctor should be observing the patient’s demeanour, breathing, skin tone, nails etc." - Susan Millwood.

"Why is it safe for nurses to see patients at the surgery but not doctors? Disgusting." - Beth Hardcastle.

"I think I’m very lucky I’ve got an absolutely fantastic doctor." - Michael Foster.

"Why is it safe for community nurses to visit people in their homes but not for GPs to see patients?" - Karen Trueman-Smith.

"Remember when people had a family doctor you could call night or day!" - Emma Rock.

"Aren’t all the doctors and their staff immunised by now?" - Sharon Hope.

"Bring back the old days when patients were the most important people." - Barbara Wood.