Letter: Digital Communication With GPs Is Not Always Suitable

Published on: 5 Mar, 2022
Updated on: 5 Mar, 2022

From: Michael Stanier

In response to: People Struggling to Get a GP Appointment Think ‘They’re All Out Playing Golf’

In the past, GPs would hold numerous surgery consultations, carry out daytime house calls and also, presumably on a rota, carry out-of-hours house calls. You could also recognise the doctors at your surgery where they would be present for the majority of the working week. Now, none of that seems to be the case.

As regards consultations, it is difficult to impart symptoms and feeling over the phone especially when you have a hearing impairment. I haven’t even tried a video consultation as I don’t understand the technology and don’t have a webcam.

Perhaps the money spent on technology could be better spent on increasing pay for GPs to attract more of them to take up this role.