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NHS chiefs have sent a letter to GPs reminding them to offer face-to-face appointments when necessary, prompting an irate response from professional bodies who say such comments risk insulting working doctors. Lasted.
In March, GPs were urged to switch to remote consultations whenever possible in an attempt to reduce the spread of Covid-19. The result was an increase in the number of consultations carried out remotely: in May alone, 48% of consultations with the GP were made by telephone.
Now NHS England has written to GPs reminding them to make sure patients are aware that face-to-face appointments are available, when clinically appropriate, and warning of the practices local commissioners face if they do not offer such. appointments when necessary.
“We know that the vast majority of practices have made significant efforts to remain accessible to patients during the pandemic and to keep staff and patients safe,” the letter says.
But, he adds: “It is important that no practice suggests in its communication that the practice is closed or that the practice is not offering the option of face-to-face appointments.”
Nikki Kanani, NHS England’s chief medical officer for primary care, said the general practice had quickly adapted during the coronavirus outbreak to offer remote services, while also providing face-to-face appointments when needed.
“While many people, particularly those most vulnerable to Covid-19, want the convenience of a phone or video consultation, the NHS has offered and will continue to offer face-to-face appointments and I urge anyone who feels they need medical support so that they can get the care, support and advice they need; the NHS is here to help you, ”he said.
Professor Martin Marshall, president of the Royal College of GPs, said the proportion of appointments made face-to-face is increasing, with more than 300,000 delivered each day last week.
“General practice is open and has been throughout the pandemic. GPs have been providing a predominantly remote service to meet official guidelines and help stop the spread of Covid-19, ”he said.
“When face-to-face appointments are needed, they are being facilitated, and we have asked CCGs to work with practices where this is not possible, for example if all GPs in an office are at high risk for Covid-19. to make sure they can be.
“Any hint that they have not been doing their job properly is an insult to GPs and their teams who have worked through the pandemic, have continued to provide the vast majority of patient care on the NHS and are facing a winter incredibly difficult ”.
Dr Richard Vautrey, chairman of the British Medical Association’s committee of GPs, agreed, adding that doctors have experienced a significant increase in workload.
“GPs have worked hard to keep their services as accessible as possible during the Covid-19 pandemic, with most offering virtual triage as a first point of contact to help keep their workforce and communities safe. This is exactly what the government has been encouraging them to do, ”he said.
“This does not mean that internships have stopped having face-to-face appointments and continue to offer where it is safe and necessary. Any inference that in-person consultations were suspended does a disservice to the committed GPs who have continued to work during the pandemic. “
