GPs call for suspension of routine appointments during coronavirus outbreak

[Northerner]

Three quarters of GPs believe routine appointments should be suspended in the event of a widespread coronavirus outbreak - including one in five who say this should happen now, a GPonline poll reveals.


GPs have also backed a string of measures to ease pressure on general practice as coronavirus spreads - with around half of GPs demanding immediate suspension of QOF, and three in five calling for suspension of online booking of appointments.

Suspension of CQC inspections, a freeze on appraisals, suspension of home visits and a move to telephone-only consultations are among other moves GPs say the NHS should consider during the outbreak.

Findings from the poll of 402 GPs come as 273 people in the UK have tested positive for COVID-19, with three deaths confirmed from the illness as of 8 March.

GPs call for suspension of routine appointments during coronavirus outbreak

Three quarters of GPs believe routine appointments should be suspended in the event of a widespread coronavirus outbreak - including one in five who say this should happen now, a GPonline poll reveals.

www.gponline.com

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[grovesy]

What are routine appointments ? The limited routine appointments at my surgery with nurses, physio, and for phlebotomy.
I thought routine appointments had been suspended as of the weekend,as I saw few posts from Doctors seeing they had been advised to only give face appointments following phone screening appointments.

 

[Robin]

My husband is due his annual medication review, which still take place face to face with a GP at our surgery, he is going to ring today and find out if they are still doing them.The normal rule is, if you are overdue, they won’t give you another repeat prescription until you’ve at least made an appointment.

 

[Ljc]

My practice has stopped online booking of appointments .

 

[grovesy]

My husband is due his annual medication review, which still take place face to face with a GP at our surgery, he is going to ring today and find out if they are still doing them.The normal rule is, if you are overdue, they won’t give you another repeat prescription until you’ve at least made an appointment.

My last couple of reviews have been with a Pharmacist. My Diabetic Nurse renewed mine a few weeks ago.
I have been to my surgery this morning , to pick a pathology form and specimen pot. There are signs on the doors and windows saying if you suspect you have symptoms of the Coronavirus, not enter and contact 111.

 

[Robin]

My last couple of reviews have been with a Pharmacist. My Diabetic Nurse renewed mine a few weeks ago.
I have been to my surgery this morning , to pick a pathology form and specimen pot. There are signs on the doors and windows saying if you suspect you have symptoms of the Coronavirus, not enter and contact 111.

Yes, I expect ours has got notices, I haven’t needed to go in recently, but they have put a message on our local village website saying, don't come to the surgery if you’ve got cold or flu symptoms etc, and giving the address for the new 111 coronavirus website.

 

[grovesy]

Yes, I expect ours has got notices, I haven’t needed to go in recently, but they have put a message on our local village website saying, don't come to the surgery if you’ve got cold or flu symptoms etc, and giving the address for the new 111 coronavirus website.

111 may still direct to your GP , they did with my son yesterday, following online contact and a Doctor call back.

 

[trophywench]

Grand daughter got an appointment at 1.45 today whilst she was here from just before lunch - surgery releases appointments around 8am and 12.30pm and she'd tried this morning unsuccessfully already so rang again whilst here.

 

[grovesy]

Our practice releases GP appointments the evening before but they are still only phone appointments, if the Doctor thinks you need to be seen they then give you an appointment.