Share review of The Glebe Surgery

The Glebe Surgery 2024-07-05 Person 1 5 0

I contacted the surgery on Wednesday regarding a rash I had developed on both lower legs whilst on holiday - this was the day before I was due to return late on Thursday; I had hoped to make an appointment to see my GP on the Friday as I was concerned the rash could be an indication of something serious. Discussing this with the receptionist and telling her I was currently out of the UK she asked if it could wait until the end of next week as my own GP was currently unavailable due to family issues. I said that, as far as I was concerned, as the rash had appeared quickly and was rapidly increasing I would like to make an appointment for Friday - she said she would send a link for me to submit some images for the "Duty GP" to look at as my own GP was currently unavailable. I duly did so, then was surprised to have a follow-up text reminding me of a telephone appointment that morning. This is not what I had requested nor expected however I accepted the call when it came only to discover it was someone introducing herself as "Physician Associate" - clearly NOT a GP and after a couple of minutes she said I should take some Antihistamine tablets for the rash - despite me telling her that as soon as the rash appeared I had used some antihistamine cream to no effect, and that what had started as isolated small red blemishes had combined into very large reddened areas of skin. I do not feel the advice was adequate and should have required a physical examination. When I told the caller I was currently on holiday she refused to discuss my case further as she was not supposed to be making "International calls" (but this was not the case as she had called my UK mobile so if anything I would be picking up the fees); the conversation was very rushed and foreshortened. Out of frustration I spoke to.my son's partner, a qualified GP, who advised me to seek professional medical advice where I was, and not to wait until getting home - which I did. Following this I was given a topical antibiotic/antihistamine cream to apply twice a day, and if it did not improve to see a GP in the UK.

Firstly, I believe the Surgery should have offered me an appointment to see a GP on my return to the UK. The system of having a "telephone consultation" with someone that is not a trained GP is fraught with potential failure. How can a "Physician Associate" be as fully qualified or experienced enough as a GP to diagnose a patient's symptoms - and a conversation over the phone is totally inadequate. Why does a GP have to go through so many years of training and experience whereas a "Physician Associate"is considered adequate to do the same function? How can this be considered a good way to diagnose and treat patients in this way? The communication was not great, and the receptionist should have informed me it was to be a "Physician Associate" and not a Duty GP; If I had known I was not going to speak to a qualified doctor I would have pushed to have a GP appointment. I was informed that I could not make an appointment to see a GPO for the Friday and would have to call Surgery that morning to do so. Why is it not possible to make an appointment in advance?