Telephone annual review s Copd

[suelee123]

Just had annual review on telephone. Asked about future in person reviews and reply was probably not as it's more about how I am feeling not tests. Are others now being seen in surgery for reviews. The person who called me seemed to be reading from a script. I did used to feel reassured by reading being monitored but was told my readings were unimportant. Strange as have been seen in person at surgery every year for several years pre covid. How are other copd people getting on with this please

[Dave_H1]

Hi suelee123, I know exactly how you feel. I had a phone review with a consultant I'd seen before. It was pretty much the same as your experience. When I got a copy of the transcript it was completely different to our discussion. The NHS are so behind everything other than Covid that it looks like we are going to have to get used to this now.

[suelee123 in reply to Dave_H1]

Many thanks for your reply. I've never had a consultant. Gp diagnosed from symptoms and x ray. Suppose I did hope eventually we would be seen in person but you are right that its the way things are going to stay now. Thanks again for your reply and hope you stay well

[Albertisadog1991 in reply to suelee123]

Hi Sue and Dave - like you I used to have a face to face with the nurse every twelve months or so to review my COPD and blood pressure unfortunately due to the arrival of covid I have not even had a phone call from my practice ... despite three hospitalisations due to collapsing with my carbon retention problem.I was given excellent care during my stay each time - but at 85 would love a little run through with someone occasionaly . I can however get to speak to someone if necessary.

I suppose we will need to wait until the virus passes and things can return to normal which I hope will not be too far away as time is slipping away.

[suelee123 in reply to Albertisadog1991]

Hi,So sorry you have needed three hospital stays but pleased you were well looked after each time. Just pray there will be a way that gp surgeries will be able to see patients in person again. Thank you for taking time to reply and hope as weather starts to improve your breathing improves and you can enjoy spring. A bit of sunshine and seeing the daffodils and crocus's appear does make you feel brighter. Take care

[katieoxo60]

Hi suelee123, same here , I see someone about once a year in person, mainly the nurse since the begining of the covid pandemic. The nurse said we do not need spirograms now so what happens if your lungs get worse ?? Also how do you give physio on the Phone . Its become very much DIY unless you are very ill with a flare up, so how can gps possibly get to know their patient, its become a matter of responding to computerised requests both for the patient and the GP what happened to the care side of the NHS ?? or is it just to be a basic service for long term chronic illness patients.? AS I was told when I had a broken foot "you know broken bones heal themselves" What next is the thought that crossed my mind.

[suelee123 in reply to katieoxo60]

Sorry your experiencing same as me. Sounds like it's become the norm now. Find I rely on google now for most medical information.More people, more houses being built equals more work for GP,s and less of service to patients.

Our married daughter had been registered with our gp since she was born but recently her and her family received a letter saying they had to find themselves a new GP as they had to change their boundaries. When they were contacted they said they were obliged to take on patients moving into area in all the new build homes so they had to reduce the area they could cover . Very sad when she had 1 GP for 32 years to be taken off their books and informed by letter they had 4 weeks to find themselves new GP . Fortunately another surgery has taken her on along with her husband who has chronic illness and her two small boys . Just fearful for our NHS

[Alphageoff]

My drs practice has 4 partners 2 salaried drs 2 nurse practitioners and 4practice nurses and the only person I see face to face is practice nurse for chronic disease review every 6 months and probably like most now self medicate for any flare ups. Most of the drs seem to only Working part time sometimes cannot even get a telephone triage call for the same day and have to call again. Doesn’t bode well for the future

[suzy-lou]

Hello Suelee. Sorry to hear of your experence with telephone consultation - how very frustrating for you! Looking at the other replies, I can only think that the help you receive is something of a postcode lottery.

I live in the Westcountry and have to say that my GP practice ( a large one) now appears to have returned to some normality and I am due a face-to-face annual COPD review this week. Throughout the epidemic we have been offered same day GP telephone consultations where appropriate and calls from the receptionists to check on managing with shopping, prescription collection etc. I do hope that you get the help and reassurance from your doctor soon. I so agree with you about the benefits of getting out to enjoy the buds of Spring - really can lift the spirits after what we have all been through theses past two years! Keep well and much love.