Stop moaning about GPs, some work until 9pm – Yorkshire Post Letters

I WAS saddened to read so many negative comments about the services our local GPs provide. Much of this has been aggravated by the campaign of popular newspapers for GPs to ‘get back’ to face-to face appointments.

GPs are working flat out; don’t blame them over appointments – Yorkshire Post Letters

The truth is that, throughout the pandemic, face-to-face appointments continued for those patients who needed them. It is true that telephone appointments have replaced many in-person appointments, but for many patients, especially young people who have to work, these are essential.

GPs and nurse practitioners are mostly able to identify from these conversations when a patient needs to come into the surgery.

The vast majority of GPs are working extremely hard, often till 9pm and then taking paperwork home.

With a greatly reduced number of GPs since the Conservatives came to power over 11 years ago, and with a growing number of elderly patients with complex health conditions, the job has become more pressured and many can cope only by working three days a week, though this still equates to around 40 hours, with at least two of our local surgeries also spending other days training medical students.

Our GPs, nurses and practice managers responded magnificently to the Covid crisis, stepping up and adding to their already heavy workload by organising and delivering the vaccines. Did you go out and clap for the NHS?

Please stop moaning and support your local GP surgeries, especially the receptionists, who are trying to get you to the person best able to support your health needs.

From: Linda and Steve Wild, Church Street, Whitby.

THERE are many stories about lack of access to GP surgeries across the country. Much of this has, in the main, been very negative.

There has also been a lot of criticism levelled at surgery staff for not answering their phones and outrage from patients labelling GPs and their staff as lazy. This is definitely not my personal experience or that of my husband at Egton Surgery, Whitby.

The doctors have been totally supportive and accessible for consultation. Yes, at the worst part of lockdown, there were more telephone consultations for patients, but if in any doubt about your symptoms on the telephone, the GP made you an appointment to attend the surgery.

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