Patients told to take ‘three steps’ before seeing a GP
Patients in Scotland are being asked to adopt a three-step approach when thinking of booking an appointment with their GP, to help alleviate pressures on general practice.
Over recent months, the entire health service has been under strain. Family doctors are usually the first point of contact for patients and GP practices have been under immense pressure.
As part of a new campaign, the Royal College of General Practitioners (Scotland) is urging members of the public to think about whether they need to see a GP or if they should deal with their healthcare issues in a different way. The campaign, supported by RCGP Scotland’s patient group, P3, hopes to easepressureongeneralpractice so that patients have easier access to the services they need when they need them.
The campaign encourages patients to consider three alternatives before booking an appointment with their GP.
These are self care – for minor ailments where patients might safely treat symptoms at home – the use of trusted NHS online services offering advice on a range of health issues, and to seek advice from a pharmacist as alternatives to arranging an appointment with the doctor.
GPS, pharmacists and others are being encouraged to display and promote RCGP’S campaign poster, providing patients with information on what options are available.
Launching the campaign, RCGP Scotland P3 chairman, Colin Angus, said: “Our family doctors have been exceptionally busy over the winter period dealing with a huge increase in demand on their services. As patients, we need to do everything we can to help our GPS by considering whether we can take alternative measures to manage our own health before booking an appointment at our local surgeries.
“Many patients across the country are experiencing lengthy waits for appointments at their local practices and it is important that we do all we can to help ease this pressure and ensure that those most in need of services are able to access care when they require it.
“The ‘3 before GP’ campaign serves as an excellent reminder of the services that are available for minor health- care needs, when we don’t necessarily need to see our GP.”
Chairwoman of RCGP Scotland, Dr Carey Lunan, said: “We recognise that for patients, having to wait for a GP appointment can be very frustrating.
“As family doctors, our priority is spending time with those patients who need our expert care.
“While services are under pressure, we are asking patients to think ‘3 before GP’ and remember the options available to them before booking a GP appointment. Of course, there will be patients who should seek the help of a GP but others may find appropriate help faster with this approach.”