Yesterday I had a GP phone call which I hadn't expected because I was due one today. Anyway we got the discussion of my blood test results and action needed out of the way yesterday.
I therefore didn't expect another call today but did get one. I took the opportunity to express my current frustration about certain aspects of the service and this GP was much more receptive than the one who rang me in August. I made the following points and she appeared to agree with me.
1. That i didn't like this lack of access to face to face appointments. Phone appointments are far less effective when you can't read body language/facial expression (or get a physical examination if needed).
2. My frustration at the practice's refusal to let patients see any test results before the phone call with the GP. I have had to wait 3 weeks (on 2 separate occasions) this year. The GP said that I should have had access to allow me to look at them before the phone call and so be more prepared for the discussion. I explained that I had asked for them but had been refused (on the grounds that we are supposedly not able to understand them without explanation). She has recommended that I make a complaint to the practice manager. She thought that I could see test results on the GP app but I can't access mine at all.
3. Finally I commented on how patients (in general across the whole country) are going to miss important diagnoses due to all the attention and time going to Covid and other patients being unable to see a doctor/get tests.
I had wanted to say all of that to the GP in August but he was unsympathetic, told me I had taken too much of his time and cut me short.
At least I got the chance today to make my views clear.
Think I will write a proper printed letter to the manager rather than email. If I email, I can't make it confidential and I don't trust the reception staff to pass it on.