Health bosses defend doctors after claims GPs are ‘in their castle protecting themselves’ instead of seeing patients

Health bosses have defended doctors after claims GPs are ‘in their castle protecting themselves’ instead of seeing patients.

Concerns have been raised that people in Rochdale are having difficulty booking appointments and too often cannot see their doctor in person.

The CCG insists that – while the pandemic has led to an increased use of telephone and video calls – GPs ‘have and will continue to have face-to-face consultations’ where patient care requires it.

It comes after strong criticism from Councillor Faisal Rana at a recent meeting of Rochdale full council.

He told the meeting that residents were calling for an appointment at 8am and ‘holding, holding, holding’ only for the line to drop after a long wait.

Councillor Rana said people had protected the NHS and ‘really, really protected GPs’ but it now seemed ‘GPs are just in their castle protecting themselves’.

He added that those in the medical profession – including GPs – ‘know what they signed up for’ and should be making themselves available to patients.

The situation was ‘unacceptable’, he added.

Those comments were echoed by Councillor Shah Wazir, who said the situation ‘sends out the wrong signal’.

He urged GPs to see their patients as they know what healthcare they need better than anyone else.

The issue with patients ‘spreading germs’ was not acceptable given A&E departments see hundreds of patients on some days, he told the meeting.

But Claire Richardson, director of strategic commissioning/integrated commissioning at Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG, has rebutted the councillors’ claims.

In response to the comments, she said: “GPs in Heywood Middleton and Rochdale have continued to provide health services throughout the coronavirus pandemic and adapted their ways of working to keep patients and staff safe in line with national guidance. 

“This has involved more triaging of patient’s needs and a greater use of telephone and video calls for consultations. Where needed, local doctors have and will continue to have face to face consultations in order to care for their patients.”

Ms Richardson added: “Local councillors receive regular updates from the health and care system in relation to how it is managing pressures amid the pandemic and GP services updates form part of these regular briefings.”

Rochdale council met at Middleton Arena on Wednesday night (28 July).

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter