Are you able to get a face-to-face doctor appointment?
Face-to-face meetings have not returned for many people in England despite lockdown rules ending in August.
In July just 57 per cent of patients in England were able to get a face-to-face GP appointment in a surgery. Another 39 per cent had a consultation with their GP on the phone with a further 900,000 either able to get a home visit or a video call from their GP.
Critics warn patients will suffer if face-to-face consultations are not brought back soon.
Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow Health Secretary, said: “It can mean missed diagnosis of serious illness. It’s urgent that ministers put forward a NHS rescue plan with the resources and staff to ensure everyone who wants a face-to-face GP appointment can get one.”
However, Prof Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: “The pandemic isn’t yet over and there is still a need for caution and infection control measures in practices.”
How do you feel your GP practice is coping? Are you comfortable with just a telephone or video consultation? Have you tried to get a face-to-face appointment recently and failed?
