Message from Partners regarding access to General Practice

Dear Patients

Over the last 18 months, all GP practices have experienced a huge increase in requests for appointments. General Practice was already working under increasing pressure before the Pandemic hit, and demand is now higher than ever. We are constantly looking at the service we deliver to try to find the best way to provide care while keeping our patients and ourselves safe. 

Compared with three years ago, the practice now provides another full day of GP time each week. Despite this, a recent review of workload showed that we are now dealing with more than another 100 patient contacts each week. We are doing this while trying to deal with our usual duties, maintain social distancing and using Personal Protective Equipment and wiping down all surfaces and equipment in the surgery. 

We understand it is very frustrating for everyone but please understand that we, like all GPs in the country, are doing our utmost to keep our service accessible and safe. Our reception staff are working tirelessly to try to support services and signpost patient where possible to other services that may be more appropriate, such as pharmacy or Minor Injuries. We have instructed our trained and trusted staff to ask the reason for your call to best help you and direct you to the service best suited to your needs.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board have also put some information together to update you on the changes to General Practice to explain why these changes have been made.

Primary Care colleagues have been extremely busy throughout the pandemic, and like all services, have needed to adopt a number of new ways of working to help ensure they’re able to see and treat patients safely and efficiently.

We have created a helpful video with Dr Kerri Neylon, Deputy Medical Director for Primary Care, who explains the changes in GP services to patients, and how best patients can ensure they are using the most appropriate service for them. 

Many thanks for your support and understanding as we all try to navigate these challenging times.