Norfolk GPs to keep virtual appointments "in the long-term"
The British Medical Association says GPs need more support before face-to-face appointments can be fully re-adopted
The Norfolk and Waveney Local Medical Committee say General Practices (GPs) won't be fully re-adopting face-to-face appointments anytime soon.
This comes after the British Medical Association launched their #SupportYourSurgery campaign, which calls on the Government to reform the service and provide it with greater support.
Dr Tim Morton, the chair of the committee told us that the Government needs to continue to "reduce bureaucracy", citing this as "one of the most frustrating part of General Practice".
He went on to tell us that, Norfolk's GPs must balance a return to in-person appointments with other factors: "We're rapidly increasing the number of face-to-face appointments, but this has to be in the background of on-going Covid infections and a huge increase in volume of workloads, which for many practices are way in excess of their pre-pandemic levels."
He also told us, "We are desperately short of GPs and this pandemic has only highlighted this to a greater extent".
"Almost all practices in Norfolk and Waveney are currently struggling with the huge demand for their services. It's not humanely possible to meet this demand in the way that we would like to in the pre-pandemic era"
But he went on to tell us that the continuation of virtual appointments for the less serious issues, should not alarm anybody considering many practices used both in-person and virtual appointments to treat patients before the pandemic.
He was also quick to point out that Norfolk's General Practices have never closed and remain open for those who need them.
James Skipper from HealthWatch Norfolk, a local healthcare campaign group told us that his organisation broadly support GPs decisions keep using use virtual appointments in the long term.
However, he warned that this new format won't work for everyone: "A lot of people would argue that digital access has been convenient, but we've heard from a lot of people in Norfolk who struggle to use digital software. Such as elderly people and those with disabilities. Many sections of society can't use digital like others can".
He also told us that the right support needs to be in place, so that issues don't get missed. "People feel like they are able to have that indepth decision with a GP.
"We've heard from a lot of people in Norfolk about the long-waiting lists. So the NHS needs to do more to communicate why they are now using digital services more permanently."