GP expecting big demand for appointments
SURGERIES SET FOR RETURN TO FACE-TO-FACE CONSULTATIONS
A GP says he expects demand for appointments to “go through the roof” with the return of face-to-face consultations from Monday.
Dr Irfan Malik, senior partner at Elmswood Surgery in Sherwood, was reacting after GP practices in England were told by the NHS they must reintroduce face-to-face appointments.
During Covid, patients were seen remotely on screen to minimise the spread of infection.
There had been talk of the system being adopted going forward - a move criticised by some medical groups.
But a letter sent out to GPS on Thursday said the use of telephone and online consultations can remain where patients benefit from them, but physical appointments must also be available from May 17.
All practice reception desks must also be open to patients in a Covid-safe manner so those who do not have easy access to phones or the internet are not disadvantaged when accessing care, it added.
Dr Malik has been calling for more face to face consultations to begin to return to practices across Nottingham.
He says this will help pick up symptoms of illness such as cancer more quickly and provide a better patient experience as the Covid vaccine continues to rollout.
Speaking about the announcement he told the Post: “It’s come as quite a shock and was a quick turnaround.
“For me it’s a little bit short notice with practices only having one working day to prepare properly for the return on Monday.
“It’s important to stress social distancing will remain in practices so that limits numbers in the waiting rooms and the through traffic of patients.
“Rooms have to be cleaned down for each patient to keep things safe.
“Covid is something we have to learn to live so it’s about adapting with changes.
“But for me I like face to face, we’ve been doing that throughout the pandemic. I can provide a better service to patients.”
Dr Malik said he expected demand for appointments “to go through the roof” from Monday.
And he said he appreciated different surgeries are under different circumstances and this was just his personal opinion.
In the joint letter from Dr Nikki Kanani, medical director for primary care at NHS England and director of primary care Ed Waller, doctors were told patients’ preferences must be respected.
“Patients and clinicians have a choice of consultation mode,” they said.
They added: “Patients’ input into this choice should be sought and practices should respect preferences for face-to