Annual Reviews?

[everydayupsanddowns]

I am increasingly seeing members mention that their routine care and checkups have been postponed, cancelled or delayed because of Covid19 restrictions.

I was fortunate to have my last Annual Review in February, and managed a remote phone/video pump clinic (I usually get seen once at GPs, once at hospital, approx 6 months apart).

Have people already had annual reviews cancelled or delayed.

How about eye screening? And toe-tickling (or other checks that can’t be done remotely)?

 

[SweetGuy]

Like you I had the annual review just before the lock down. The retinal screening was due in July but has not happened. Where I am NHS podiatary which I normally get every three months has not been available since the lock down began. All other contacts with medical staff have been by telephone or postponed other than blood tests.

 

[grovesy]

Sorry I cant answer because I had my eye screening cancelled, but had my Annual review in person but with blood results via phone appt.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Screening was meant to have been 2 weeks a go but the clinic cancelled due to a team member being a close contact. Have heard the person is ok so that's a relief. Nothing heard about a new apt., though.
Pump clinic is booked for next month via phone.

 

[Robin]

Eye screening in April was cancelled, not been rearranged yet.
Review at my GP isn’t due til January.
Had a referral to the hospital clinic, and had a telephone consultation in June, but nothing arising from it has been actioned yet.

 

[KARNAK]

Still being looked after although my blood tests are a month behind.

Podiatry is excellent DSN accessible every day except for weekends,
a little trick I learned when phoning Docs let the spiel from whoever
starts talking then press 3 on your phone puts you straight through or
in the queue, works in my area maybe worth a try.

 

[grovesy]

Still being looked after although my blood tests are a month behind.

Podiatry is excellent DSN accessible every day except for weekends,
a little trick I learned when phoning Docs let the spiel from whoever
starts talking then press 3 on your phone puts you straight through or
in the queue, works in my area maybe worth a try.

I don't hold if the line is engaged , does not happen often at my surgery, the last time it happened was when they sent out texts to book flu vaccine.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry I cant answer because I had my eye screening cancelled, but had my Annual review in person but with blood results via phone appt.

I’ve added one that should fit your scenario @grovesy 🙂

 

[Sharron1]

I am increasingly seeing members mention that their routine care and checkups have been postponed, cancelled or delayed because of Covid19 restrictions.

I was fortunate to have my last Annual Review in February, and managed a remote phone/video pump clinic (I usually get seen once at GPs, once at hospital, approx 6 months apart).

Have people already had annual reviews cancelled or delayed.

How about eye screening? And toe-tickling (or other checks that can’t be done remotely)?

Phone consultation with GP in June. Had blood taken and the lovely fifth columist nurse offered to do my weight and feet while I was there. I told her my last BP numbers taken at home and she was ok with that. Job done. Annual eye check due in September, probably won't take place until Jan or Feb 2021

 

[Stitch147]

I had my eye check up in February. I had my bloods done in january, which I got results online and my gp surgery hold a virtual clinic and will see patients if needed. I didn't need to see gp but was to make an appointment with the nurse for feet check, BP etc. I've not had that part this year.

 

[trophywench]

Still making appts for toe tickling etc at my GP and you can get an appt with a nurse - the nurse doing what they call my asthma check though I've never ever had asthma, it's emphysema, and you aren't allowed to to use a peak flow meter, they don't own a spirograph (is that the correct name? - an electronic thing you breathe through) anyway and never listen to your chest with a stethoscope anyway so of very limited use other than ticking an NHS box! That nurse said I'll have to ring whenever my diabetes one is due (good job I've still got last year's diary then somewhere) and that nurse would probably take my blood sample during that.

Whoopee doo. Pity you can't see a doctor for anything ......

 

[Drummer]

I have to wait to be contacted or sent a notification, so nothing cancelled or postponed, just total silence.

 

[MarkGeordie]

Still booked in with ophthalmologist in November and had no cancellation yet.

My diabetes appointments have all been via the telephone.

 

[silentsquirrel]

Diabetes review with surgery nurse was a phone appointment last month. Bloods done 2 weeks earlier at local hospital as usual. BP and weight done at home, figures given to nurse on phone. No foot check, though. She told me 3 times if the slightest problem with feet to get in touch, so presumably they would then see me!
Still waiting for April's opthalmology appointmrnt (retinopathy screening and check cataracts) to be rearranged. Noticed the retinopathy screening van was in surgery car park as we drove past today - but no use to me! Nurse asked about this, said she thought the waiting list for opthalmology was very long.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Still booked in with ophthalmologist in November and had no cancellation yet.

That made me laugh, all I can say is be prepared for a phone consultation. I told them to something off and find something better to do with their time. It beggars belief they think that eye checks can be done over the phone.

 

[helli]

My retinal screening and annual review are always separate but both have gone ahead albeit slightly delayed.
The annual screening required a blood test to be taken at the GP surgery before a phone consultation instead of face to face.
There was no blood pressure, weight, height or "toe tickle test". But apart from that, the phone consultation was much more convenient than taking an afternoon off work to get to the hospital and wait around as the clinic is always delayed.

 

[MarkGeordie]

That made me laugh, all I can say is be prepared for a phone consultation. I told them to something off and find something better to do with their time. It beggars belief they think that eye checks can be done over the phone.

Im hopeful because I did contact the team to check the current situation with my appointment.

They have said because of my history and eye health and the fact I’m registered partially sighted they were keen to keep the appointment in place.

So fingers crossed.

 

[grovesy]

Diabetes review with surgery nurse was a phone appointment last month. Bloods done 2 weeks earlier at local hospital as usual. BP and weight done at home, figures given to nurse on phone. No foot check, though. She told me 3 times if the slightest problem with feet to get in touch, so presumably they would then see me!
Still waiting for April's opthalmology appointmrnt (retinopathy screening and check cataracts) to be rearranged. Noticed the retinopathy screening van was in surgery car park as we drove past today - but no use to me! Nurse asked about this, said she thought the waiting list for opthalmology was very long.

I think the Retinal Screening won't do if you are under hospital care for eyes, it is one of the questions the screener asks.

 

[silentsquirrel]

I think the Retinal Screening won't do if you are under hospital care for eyes, it is one of the questions the screener asks.

The opthalmology appointment is because the digital photos in February on the van failed - the cataracts meant they could not get good enough photos.

 

[Marty]

I've had to fight for anything to do with the annual review. On enquiry offered a blood test & then a telephone consult with practise nurse, but nothing else. what about bp, height & weight? Oh, that can be done by a robot (?) when you book yet another appointment. What about foot exam, ignored. Without sounding pompous I've always been taught to 'know your numbers' and ask questions, be an empowered and knowledgeable patient. How over the phone can this work?
I'm able to go to the dentist/hygienist for treatment & have a blood test why not see the practice nurse? What are all the medics doing are they on half pay? Sorry for the rant, but I think in this case Covid is being allowed to take charge when it's not necessary.