Some are having a very good war...

[Tom Joad]

Derek. I'm not asking to wait in a surgery. The issue could be minimised with a word down the phone, easy access to repeat prescriptions and by putting a plan in place. None of which appears within the scope of current arrangements. Also, I'm not having a go at medical staff, I just want some. It is the armies of faceless bureaucrats that are making everyone's life much more difficult. Again, how is their job any riskier than anyone working in any other service?

I think it’s just the policy of that particular GP practice not the general rule. I didn’t want to come across as harsh and my sympathies to you and your family. I think we have to remember that in an ideal world no one would be put at as little risk as possible.

Actually, after 3 days of trying we just had a breakthrough of sorts, medical side of things is as good as ever, although a faster response would have seen a much better outcome all around.  My point still remains, and this applies across all of the things I mentioned not simply the GPs,  some are content behind locked doors for no apparent reason. BTW, my visit to the doctors intercom (last resort),worked. But it isn't ideal to shout your business in front of a queue of pensioners standing outside in the rain all looking wistfully at an empty waiting room the size of the Smethwick End. Things appear to be made difficult in the hope you go away, (or fall through the cracks)?

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In fairness to my local docs, if you ring up bang on 8am you can usually get through within 10 mins.

That's the best way to get ours as well; not guaranteed but better than any other time of day. Pre-covid by far the best option was to book via the online system; it was the first thing to be 'closed until further notice'.

Tom, having had to deal with the fallout from a family bereavement over the last few months - doctors, registrars, banks, probate and more - you have my sympathy, which will be of no practical help. One thing I would say though is make time for yourself to have a break away from it, even if it's only a walk round your neighbourhood; trying to work on it dawn till dusk until it's all done will just grind you down.

Cheers Oss.

Why do you want to put more people at risk because some already are? Surely places like supermarkets should be giving their staff greater protection rather than less to those who can work from home / away from the office?

I see a lot more risk to those waiting out in a rainy December day than they would ever face sitting inside with an entire row to themselves. I'm also sure that you know that too.  As for the other dodging, weaving and avoidance, it's no surprise we have the population of a city sleeping in doorways across the UK,when from my recent experience, it is very easy to see how people fall through the cracks. It may be a pandemic, but it doesn't need the brain of Stephen Hawking to make a judgement call on a fairly straightforward risk.