A new report by the Health and Social Care Committee has accused the government and NHS England of being “reluctant” to acknowledge issues within the medical system.
It has warned that problems are not being resolved with “sufficient urgency”, with many patients facing long delays to see their GP.
The committee, which included former chair and now Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt until October 14, said the government’s pledge for all patients to see a GP within 14 days would “not address the fundamental capacity problem causing poor GP access”.
But what should you do if you are struggling to get an appointment with your GP?
Here's everything you need to know.
Register with your GP online
Often you will be able to get a quicker response from your GP by filling out a patient query online via your GP's website.
Most practices offer an app or website where you can request appointments, submit questions and order prescriptions.
When filling out the questionnaire, make sure that your answers are clear and concise while mentioning that you wish for a face-to-face appointment and expressing how important your issue is.
This will help your GP to prioritise and respond to your request in a timely manner.
Call the NHS 111
If you have an urgent matter and need to speak to someone, call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Depending on the situation you will:
- Find out what local service can help you
-
Be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP
- Get a face-to-face appointment if you need one
- Be given an arrival time if you need to go to A&E – this might mean you spend less time in A&E
-
Be told how to get any medicine you need
- Get self-care advice.
Speak to your pharmacist
If you have a minor illness or need to talk about your prescription, take a trip to your nearest pharmacy.
Pharmacists are qualified specialists who can advise on a range of common illnesses and help assess whether your health issue requires further medical help. Most pharmacies have a consultation room where you can talk in private.
To find your local pharmacy, please see here.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency, call 999 immediately and tell the operator where you are (including area or postcode), your phone number that you are calling from and what has happened.
This will allow the operator to determine the most appropriate response as quickly as possible.
According to the NHS, emergencies can include:
- Loss of consciousness
- A sudden confused state
- Fits that are not stopping
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
- Severe burns or scalds
- Someone has seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose.
Call 999 immediately if you think you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions.
Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma.
Dialling 999 does not necessarily mean an ambulance will be dispatched. The call handler will decide what's appropriate, whether that be telephone advice by a medically trained clinical adviser or whether you can be seen elsewhere.
An ambulance will be sent if it's a life-threatening emergency and the operator may ask you other questions, so make sure to stay on the phone.
For more information, please see here.
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