Friday Round-up

Hi All and wishing you a happy Friday.

At the risk of sounding selfish, I thought I'd say something about our new way of doing all things medical at the moment.

It's been prompted by several 'brushes' with my GP surgery recently and on one occasion, an unexpected visit to A&E.

We are being persuaded that using an algorithm in the form of the NHS e-consult, is the way to go in our brave new world of conducting a lot more of our lives via the internet. This has been, to a large extent, pressed upon us by the covid pandemic but I realise it's also going to be a much bigger factor in our lives when that's finally over too.

In some ways I've really liked using the NHS e-consult app. It means that for non-urgent care i don't have to take pot luck in getting through by phone to my surgery, or be triaged, just simply state the facts and submit it with a promise of contact from the surgery within a few working days. (And in practice, a doctor has phoned me back within the day, every single time, to discuss.)

But when it comes to phone appointments with a GP, they are necessarily very limited in what they can provide in the way of diagnoses. I was finally seen in person yesterday after 3 months of only phone contact, concerning a 'rotator cuff injury' to my shoulder which on examination has turned out to be a shoulder impingement which was well on its way to becoming a frozen shoulder.

Then I also had the reverse situation, when I asked a simple question in an e-consult, concerning an existing condition which sent me off to A&E as an emergency, when it wasn't. So there's lots of work to be done I think, around the possibility of either missing vital information, or of wasting A&E time and resources unnecessarily.

So I wondered what all of you think? Have you tried e-consult? And if you did, what was the outcome of that. Did it help? Or did it hinder.

This question is clearly aimed squarely at health care in UK. If you are elsewhere, has health care where you are been affected by the pandemic, or not?

I'm turning out to be having a week of needles. I happily had a steroid injection into my shoulder yesterday and during the week I was also so pleased to receive an invitation by phone, for my first covid19 injection tomorrow morning. It's for 9.30 which is challenging for me as I'm one of those people who need a good couple of hours or more to get ready for anything! So I shall be up nice and early, to make sure I'm there well on time!

I hope the week's gone well for you all and that you'll find something to make you smile this coming weekend.

Take care everybody!

[Jennymary]

Hi Sue, as you may have seen in PWB I had a, BP check and bloods done Wednesday morning, yesterday text message asking me to book a, routine phone consult, went online got one for next Tuesday, hope your shoulder improves and you get on OK tomorrow

[Hidden in reply to Jennymary]

Thanks Jenny, I saw that you'd had some checks done on Wednesday. I'm glad you got a further appointment easily enough. I'm really hoping my shoulder's going to improve now and I'm very much looking forward to getting the covid injection tomorrow. 🙏😊🌈

[sassy59]

Hi Callendersgal, sorry to be late in replying but I don’t seem to be getting any notifications from the Care community or BLF. No idea why but I’m hoping it will sort itself out soon.

Pete and I usually get through to our GP surgery easily enough or I fill a form out online and submit fir a phone call. It’s all worked well up to now. I’ve even submitted photos where necessary. I think this will be the way forward now.

I do hope your shoulder will be better soon as it sounds painful. I’ve had steroid injections in my elbow before. Ouch!

Good luck tomorrow. You’ll be fine.

It’s been a good week but it’s passed really quickly. Roll on spring. Have a good weekend.

Stay safe all. Take care xxx💜😘😍👍

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Hi sassy59, no problem with replying. I know you are dedicated to replying as soon as you can, but don't ever feel you have to apologise when you can't. As it's turned out I was away from the computer for a long time today (messing about with craft again.... 😊). I've only just come back. It's interesting to hear that you've had a good experience overall with online consultations too. Once they can iron out the few bumps I can't see what advantage there is in booking a physical face to face appointment when you can get one in the comfort of your own home!Oh yes, spring. We're seeing the first tiny green shoots and surely we'll all feel a bit better about things as evenings lengthen and the days hopefully get a bit warmer. Take care both of you! 👍😊🌈 xxx

[klr31]

I haven't had reason to use my surgery or go, apart from to collect regular prescriptions.Good luck with your vaccination appointment.

Karen x

[Hidden]

Thanks Karen, I'm glad you've had no reason to have to seek medical help. Long may that continue! Here's hoping for a smooth experience tomorrow for my jab! 😊👍 xx