My illness could not be cured over the phone

FOR the past four weeks, I have been trying to see a GP at my local practice.

I had itching all over, from the top of my head, to below my knees. I felt ill and was not sleeping.

I spoke to my surgery and was called back by a doctor, who asked me to describe the itching problem. The first diagnosis was not correct because, after a week of antibiotics, I was no better.

For diagnosis number two, also over the telephone, I was asked to send photographs. Even though I am registered as blind, I managed to send some to the surgery. I was prescribed cream to put on my body and back. However, putting cream on your back when you live alone and have sight issues is another obstacle in itself and I still felt ill.

Diagnosis number three, again over the phone: could it be one of my other medications (of which I have many, as I have a chronic lifelong condition after brain surgery)?

So, one of my medications was stopped and the cream for my back was changed.

I felt so ill, exhausted, isolated, not knowing who to turn to. My family came to see me and left worried, as I looked so poorly.

Four weeks after the first diagnosis, I was feeling so poorly, I called the 111 service and requested a faceto-face appointment with a doctor.

It being a Sunday, I did not hold out much hope, but I am happy to say I was wrong. I went to see a doctor and a nurse as well.

They took a look at my lovely rash, all over my torso – poor souls! – made a diagnosis and told what was needed to sort it out.

I went home, showered and applied the medication prescribed. I am glad to say, I slept properly that night, the rash is on its way out and I am not itching. Hurrah!

Please do not misunderstand me – my GP surgery is great. But patients with chronic lifelong conditions and major health problems need to be seen by a doctor.

Telephones are very useful, but not for examining a patient. The diagnosis is left to guesswork, which is not appropriate for the patient, or GPs’ budget, when the wrong medication is supplied.

Patients feeling they almost need to beg on their knees to see a doctor is not a healthy option.

The government’s guidelines on how a GP practice should operate post-Covid are not helping patients at all. Sensible patients will go to a pharmacist and self-care before calling the doctors’ surgery. Many patients in poor health will not call the surgery at all, as they fear not being diagnosed correctly, or being rebuffed by surgery staff.

I would like to see a loosening of these restrictions on surgeries. I am sure my surgery is following the regulations, but they are detrimental to patients.

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