GP policy could have dire consequences

I wonder how many patients will die or become seriously ill as a result of the current policy of GP practices not to see patients faceto-face, in spite of Covid restrictions being over.

I have not been able to see a doctor for the past two years, in spite of having had a number of health problems over this time.

This had serious consequences

for me when I developed a severe headache shortly after Christmas.

I tried to contact my GP on a number of occasions but when I did eventually manage to speak to a doctor (as I was advised to by 111) I was simply told it was nothing to worry about but to phone 999 if it got any worse.

I was not offered an appointment to see anyone or given an examination.

Unfortunately it became worse over the weekend and I did call 999, but it took an hour for the ambulance to arrive, and I was then told that I needed to go to hospital as my blood pressure was dangerously high, but as the RUH was not

taking patients I would have to be taken to Salisbury!

Fortunately a family member was able to take me to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where I eventually had a scan, which showed I had had a bleed on the brain.

Following treatment I was in hospital for three weeks, and am still recovering from this.

Had I been able to see a doctor and had prompt treatment this might have been averted, and possibly even a worse outcome.

It is hardly surprising that the ambulance services and hospitals are inundated, when doctors are not having face-to-face appointments, and it is difficult to even

speak to one. Name supplied