Call for GPs to resume face-to-face appointments with patients
A PLEA has been made for GPs to resume face-to-face appointments with their patients. It was made by the chairman of Castletown and District Community Council, Billy Dunbar, who asked when the service – stopped during the coronavirus pandemic – would start again.
"When are the doctors going to start face-to face appointments again. A lot of people have been complaining about that," he said at last week's meeting.
Mr Dunbar stressed that before Covid patients could get to see their GP but now most appointments are by telephone although people can get to see a nurse at the Castletown surgery.
Thurso and northwest Caithness Highland councillor, Ron Gunn, described the situation as "not ideal" but pointed out that GPs run their own practice and are not "under the control of the NHS." He said there is a shortage of doctors but patients can request a face-to-face appointment with their GP.
"The problem stems from Covid and doctors can now do things in a different way," said Mr Gunn who is the chairman of campaign group, Caithness Health Action Team and Highland Council's Caithness Committee.
Mr Dunbar expressed concern that patients are not being seen by their doctor. "It is people's health we are dealing with here," he said.
Community council secretary, Liz Geddes, said on occasions patients are asked to take a photo, relating to a health issue and send it to the surgery. The GP will then look at it and get back to the person.
Mr Dunbar said: "You could be dead and buried before they get back to you."
Councillor Gunn said if patients are not getting to see their GP they may be inclined to go to the accident and emergency department at Caithness General hospital in Wick so they can see a doctor and that puts added pressure on staff there.
Mr Dunbar agreed and claimed hospitals are "full of people who need social care."
"There is nowhere to put them so they can't put them out but can't take in other patients either," he stated.
Councillor Gunn said there are over 100 patients in Raigmore who cannot be discharged as there is no social care package in place to allow them to go home.
The Castletown and Canisbay Medical Practice was contacted for a response but did not wish to comment.