An experienced GP has detailed the alternatives available to those who are unable to book a GP appointment, as surgeries struggle to cope with burgeoning patient demand.
Dr Irfan Malik, senior partner at Elmswood Surgery in Sherwood, Nottinghamshire, says the situation is being made worse because practices are struggling to recruit medical staff, resulting in doctors being overwhelmed by the number of patients on their lists. The busiest GP surgery in the country is Parliament Street Medical Centre in London city centre. It has 0.58 full-time equivalent doctors - not including locums - for 7,782 patients, creating a ratio of more than 13,000 patients per GP.
"Pressures are being experienced by doctors and nurses across the country and a number of practices nationally are struggling to recruit. Some surgeries are understaffed to cope with demand," Dr Malik told Nottinghamshire Live.
"We used to see a dip in demand heading into the summer months, but that doesn't appear to happen anymore. The main problem is the backlog in hospital clinics. The GP side of things can move very quickly, but there seems to be a bottleneck in outpatient departments, where patients are waiting to be seen by consultants. If a procedure is done, there seems to be a long wait for a follow-up appointment.
"Nationally, there is a huge demand on all aspects of the NHS, where some ambulances are having to wait outside A&E departments with patients inside. To get the care you need, a local pharmacist can help with advice, 111 can be called and GP surgeries are open - you can speak to the receptionist if required, and if a GP is busy, it may take time to get a response but they always get back, we wouldn't want patients neglecting symptoms."
Dr James Hopkinson, a local GP and clinical Leader of the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said that, despite the challenges, it is important the public remembers that the NHS is "still here for you".
"If you have concerns about your health, then your GP is here for you," he said. "If you have minor illnesses, like a cold or hay fever, then your local pharmacy can help you. If you are unsure where to go, then contact 111 as they will be able to direct you to the right service for your needs."
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