'The finishing times are getting later and we don't stop'
We're exploring a day in the life of a York GP, who is warning about increasing demands on health services.
A York GP has shared a day in her life to highlight the work that goes on behind the scenes at practices as staff strive to offer the best possible care to patients.
Doctor Abbie Brooks is a GP Partner at Priory Medical Group in York and features in a 22 minute video covering key moments in a typical working day.
Often, it can start with leaving the house at 7am and ends 14 hours later.
In her blog Doctor Brooks says: " "The number of patients requesting clinical care is rising month on month and we do not have the capacity to see everyone as quickly as they would like. There is a mismatch. My job is busier than I have ever known it.
"What I want patients to understand… is that we are doing our best and it is reasonable to have to wait for routine care. I think it is important that we are honest about what to expect from general practice in the current climate."
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio York, Doctor Brooks says: "It can be very busy and variable on when I drop my kids off as to how early I get in, but typically the finishes are getting later.
"A typical day is hard to describe as it's different each day depending on whether I'm doing urgent or routine procedures: it's a mixture of phone calls, seeing patients, dealing with various types of admin, prescribing, reports and helping other clinicians with any queries they might have.
"We don't stop, which I why it's been hard to hear people saying that we've been closed during the pandemic - actually general practice has provided more appointments this year than over preceding years".
Abbie is also currently self-isolating with Covid: "I knew it was going to happen at some point. I've been doubly vaccinated but with everyone out and about there's more risk of contracting the virus.
"I had some symptoms and took a lateral flow test as part of work-related testing, but due to symptoms I went on to get a PCR test and didn't go into work. I am one of the statistics now".
When asked what would help to ease pressures on staff, Abbie said: "From a coronavirus perspective definitely get a PCR test when you have symptoms and wear masks in enclosed spaces.
"From a day to day general practice it's okay to wait for an appointment if you've got a routine and ongoing issue that isn't urgent. We try to meet that as early as possible, but it's entirely reasonable that you may have a two week plus wait for that.
"We're doing a very best to fit in every kind of patient that wants our input, but we have to prioritise clinical need; we know that's frustrating but we do ask for patience.
"I'm worried about Winter; we're seeing bronchiolitis this Summer which I've never seen at this time of year. It's going to be busy ahead and we have our flu vaccination programme to come in September and October.
"I think some of our work demands will reduce as the vaccination programme isn't as intense as it was, but now 16 and 17 year olds are being invited forward and we have our booster programme.
"I think our workflow will change but I don't see it getting any easier - the next 6 to 12 months are going to be very difficult".